Art Therapy • CHILD PLAY THERAPY • COUNSELLING • Yoga
Welcome to Rainbow Muse and thanks for stopping by. We offer mental health and therapy services with a bit of creativity and magic. Wellbeing and living your best life are important for everyone at every stage, from little ones right through to grown-ups. So let us know how we can support you in being your most sparkly self.
About
Art therapy has a unique ability to heal. It helps people express themselves and safely externalise their emotions through creativity, allowing for self-discovery, vulnerability and perspective on challenges they may be facing.
Rainbow Muse Pty Ltd is based in Melbourne and offers art therapy, talk therapy, child-centred play therapy, mindfulness and yoga in an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity.
Chenai and Lucy bring their mushy hearts and years of experience in a range of community and mental health contexts to tailor treatments to each individual’s needs.
In short, Rainbow Muse is a magical rainbow world that welcomes you for who you are and collaborates on your wellbeing. If you would like to talk more about your specific needs and goals feel free to contact me.
Rainbow Muse is an NDIS Registered Provider for Therapeutic Supports.
Services
Rainbow Muse offers therapy for all ages but we are particularly passionate about working with children. For more information visit our Children's Therapy Services page or click below.
Rainbow Muse offers telehealth/ teletherapy which allows you to have your therapy from your home. We also have a range of free resources available to download. For more information visit our Online Therapy and Resources page or click below.
About Us
Chenai Mupotsa-Russell
Founder | Art Therapist | Psychotherapist | Yoga Teacher
I came to mental health and art therapy after years in community development, working mostly with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
It was seeing how one person’s struggle could ripple out to affect an entire community that inspired me to learn how to heal therapeutically from the ground up.
I delved further into training in Family Dispute Resolution, Psychotherapy and Art Therapy as I found that when working closely with community groups, the creation of safe spaces lead to a need to help people process and explore experiences and emotions in individual therapy.
Later I would add training in Yoga as a wonderful tool for body/mind integration and for creating safety and emotional-regulation in our bodies while processing traumatic situations.
Throughout all this, I have worked with people of all ages and have added child- centred play therapy to my toolkit to be able to meet my littlest clients where they are at, helping children make sense of the world in ways most relevant to them, through art, imagination, creativity and play.
When working with adults I am passionate about the use of Art Therapy. You do not need any art experience to do art therapy as it is about the process, not the end product. However, if you would like to use talk therapies I am also trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MCBT) and Narrative Therapy. All therapy is done in a client-centred manner and with a trauma-informed lens.
I also draw from my experiences from multiple roles I've had the privilege of undertaking in the Mental Health, Youth and Community Sectors. I have previously worked in:
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Youth Mental Health at headspace
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Family Dispute Resolution at Relationships Australia Victoria
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Early Intervention Crime Prevention and for young people at YSAS
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Family and Youth Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers at The Brotherhood of St Laurence
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Youth Support and Programs in local government at the City of Boroondara Youth Services
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Family and School Programs with Communities in East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory with FAST
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Youth Education Reingagement Support in the Tiwi Islands Northern Territory with NTCSA
If you experience mental health issues, find life overwhelming, or you’re interested in deeper self-discovery, I’d love to hear from you so we can explore it together.
For a sneak peek at what I get up to on my Rainbow Musing adventures, click on the gallery link above.
Tertiary Qualifications
Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practise (Therapy), The MIECAT Institute, 2018
Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution, Relationships Australia Victoria, 2013
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Community Development, Deakin University, 2007
Additional Qualifications
Child Centred Play Therapy, Play Therapy Training Academy, 2019
Kids Yoga Teacher Certification, Cosmic Kids, 2019
Yoga Teacher Training, The Yoga Social, 2018
Advanced Diploma in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Stonebridge College, 2016
Advanced Training in Psychotherapy, Cambridge Open College, 2015
Chenai has also undertaken a wide range of professional development sessions and short courses and continues to widen her knowledge and add more skills to her therapeutic toolbelt.
Chenai Mupotsa-Russell (AThR ) is a Professional Member of Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. Chenai is a Registered NDIS Provider registered in the State of Victoria to provide Therapeutic Supports and Innovative Community Participation as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Lucy Hotchin
Art Therapist | Lived Experience Consultant
I first realised the power of non-verbal communication while studying my Bachelor of Performing Arts (Honours) at Monash University. Using visual art, play, movement and sound, my classmates and I were able to communicate profound ideas and feelings outside the limitations of language. This experience stayed with me and became a foundational part of my therapeutic journey while completing my Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice at The MIECAT Institute.
In addition to utilising my extensive, multidisciplinary training, I’m able to draw from my lived experience of the Victorian mental health system. I have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of both the private and public psychiatric systems as a client, and know firsthand that the current mainstream medical model does not give voice to those who experience it.
I believe EVERYONE’S experiences are valid and valuable, particularly those who need to engage with systems that do not necessarily lift them up. I am incredibly passionate about living this philosophy. Building someone’s self-esteem and self-worth supports their therapeutic process exponentially and is a crucial part of everything I do.
My experiences in the following therapeutic spaces continue to guide my processes:
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Experience of art therapy, CBT, DBT, and ACT
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Year-long placement at headspace the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Brief Intervention and art therapy groups
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Art Therapist with Creative Arts Australia at Very Special Kids Summer holiday program
I look forward to continuing to work with children and adults, to support their self-worth and personal growth, and to help build their capacity to live their best lives.
You can contact Lucy directly at lucy@rainbowmuse.com.au
Tertiary Qualifications
Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practise (Therapy), The MIECAT Institute, 2019
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Honours), Monash University, 2012
Lucy has also undertaken a wide range of professional development sessions and short courses and continues to widen her knowledge and add more skills to her therapeutic toolbelt.
Lucy Hotchin is a Member of Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region. Rainbow Muse is a Registered NDIS Provider registered in the State of Victoria to provide Therapeutic Supports and Innovative Community Participation as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Contact
Rainbow Muse Pty Ltd
Art Therapy, Child Therapy, Counselling and Yoga Melbourne
37 Leopold Street Caufield South
PO Box 7058 Glen Iris VIC 3146
Tel: (03) 8538 1445 or 0403966448
Home Visits where I come to you with my mobile art therapy kit are available for NDIS clients, depending on location.
Email: chenai@rainbowmuse.com.au