About Us

Chenai Mupotsa-Russell AThR, MA, GradDip FDRP, BA, RYT
Founder | Registered Art Therapist | Mental Health Clinician | Yoga Teacher

I am passionate about diversity and intersectionality. I specialise in working with LGBTQAI+ people, neurodiverse children and people of colour.

I aim to provide a safe, inclusive, affirming and culturally appropriate space for processing, with a social justice lense that puts into perspective the individual and complex experiences of people "outside the box" , this is the reason Rainbow Muse came to be! 

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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 within the context of the persons experience. 

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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.

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When working with all people 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.

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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 

• Family Dispute Resolution at Relationships Australia Victoria

• Early Intervention Crime Prevention and for young people at YSAS

• Family and Youth Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers at The Brotherhood of St Laurence

• Youth Support and Programs in local government at the City of Boroondara Youth Services

• Family and School Programs with Communities in East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory with FAST

• Youth Education Reingagement Support in the Tiwi Islands Northern Territory with NTCSA

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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.

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PLEASE NOTE: Chenai's books are currently full and she is not taking on new clients at the moment. The amazing Melanie has some availability.

For a sneak peek at what I get up to on my Rainbow Musing adventures, click on the gallery link above.

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 AThR, MA, BA (Hons)
Registered 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.

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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.

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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.

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My experiences in the following therapeutic spaces continue to guide my processes:

• Experience of art therapy, CBT, DBT, and ACT

• Year-long placement at headspace the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Brief Intervention and art therapy groups

• Art Therapist with Creative Arts Australia at Very Special Kids Summer holiday program

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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.

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You can contact Lucy directly at lucy@rainbowmuse.com.au

Lucy Hotchin (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. 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.

Melanie Knight AThR, MA, BA 
Registered Art Therapist | Social Practise Artist | Creative Literacy Coach| Grief Companion

I believe creativity is a crucial part of wellbeing. While undertaking training in counselling, I realised I wanted to combine talk therapy with the creative experience. This led me to complete my Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice at The MIECAT Institute, which still guides and supports my therapeutic practise today, along with my passion for encouraging awareness of self through creative exploration. 
 
Throughout the last 15 years I’ve developed spaces for thousands of people across Australia to create and express themselves. This allowed me to witness first-hand that creativity is a powerful way to discover and support wellbeing and positive self-regard, and increase people’s capacity for play and joy. 
 
I found a special connection working as a creative mentor for children from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and as an art therapist for autistic, non-verbal and diverse ability populations. These experiences expanded my awareness of the benefits of alternatives to talk therapy. When working with neurodiverse littlies, I use my experience in DIR floortime, and Social Thinking to support my practise.

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I work with a recovery-orientated framework and trauma-informed lens – most recently with children whose parents are experiencing mental illness with a focus on Australian Defence Force children. I have a particular interest in life transitions and grief, knowing that grief is a valid and important part of change as we navigate our lives. 
 
I look forward to supporting your curiosity about your experiences, and working with you to support your hopes and ambitions for a positive and fulfilling life. I’m passionate about utilising both art and narrative therapy, supported by CBT, and ACT.

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Mel regularly collaborates with cultural organisations, festivals, community groups, and schools delivering programs to advocate what she calls ‘creative literacy’, advocating that without creativity imagination fades, and compassion (for self and other) is impossible without imagination. 
 
Mel’s therapeutic practise has been guided and continues to be informed through her work in: 

● Children and youth mental health, social skills and development at Sensational Kids 
● Children and youth mental health at Australian National Veterans Art Museum
● Children’s creative mentorship at Future Foundations
● Youth Support and Programs in local government at the City of Yarra Youth Services
● Patient and family support with The Groundswell Project 
● Adult’s creative facilitation with Creative Social Movements programs (including collaborations with Melbourne Writers Festival, Heidi Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Brisbane, State Library of Victoria, Wollongong Writers Festival, SA Writers)

Melanie Knight (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. 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.

If you are an NDIS Participant and need help with Plan Management Rainbow Muse recommends our beautiful bookkeeper Michelle who is also an NDIS Registered Plan Manager.