“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
Golden Heart Creative Therapies was formed from a foundational belief that we are all born with the unique desire and intuitive drive to seek and realise our true potential. There is an innate wisdom that will lead and guide us towards healing and self-realisation, through our whole self — mind, body, and spirit, given the opportunity.
Complex life stories, deep-seated patterns, and unaddressed wounds, will often lie within the sub-conscious, buried deeper than words can find. Accessing these with speech alone is limited and at risk of repeating negative belief systems and feelings of failure when the desired outcome of liberation from suffering continues to be out of reach.
Whilst speaking our truth is of great value, expressing ourselves through non-verbal mediums can access our deeper selves, shedding light and bring integration of Self.
Creative therapies are used as a tool for healing and can uncover, release and process complex feelings that words cannot reach, within a nurturing safe environment.
At Golden Heart Creative Therapies, we offer art and sandplay therapy not just as a method of expression, but as a pathway inward.
Creative modalities enable us to discover, colour and create new stories of ourselves through the transformative power of creativity.
A common misconception is that one must be ‘artistic’, however within the therapeutic space, creativity becomes a tool of self-discovery, rather than for the purpose of creating an ‘artwork’.
You don’t need to be “artistic” or “creative” to benefit, you simply need to be curious. Paired with a ‘here and now’ therapeutic approach, art therapy brings creative healing gently down from the head and into the hands, where mindfulness and creative flow can occur.
Rachel works from a client-centred approach, supporting her clients to listen to and honour their unique individual needs through a combination of talking and creating.
Art Therapy is a wonderful way to shine light on parts of yourself that may have become stagnant or blocked. Finding your creative voice releases energy and enables a flow for a lighter richer life.
It can also uncover, release and process complex feelings that words cannot reach, within a nurturing safe environment. Insights and gentle guidance are offered to assist you in finding self-compassion and celebration of your essence and true self.
Art therapy uses drawing, painting, sculpting, and other creative activities to help you:
• Explore feelings in a safe, enjoyable way
• Reduce anxiety and emotional tension
• Build self-awareness and confidence
• Work through trauma, grief, or life transitions
• Release and work through personal or professional blockages
• Rediscover the pleasure of creative joy experienced in childhood
Sandtray Therapy is a deeply intuitive and powerful tool to awaken inner wisdom and bring unconscious material into awareness.
Within the safe and contained space of the sandtray, a transformative space is offered, where words are not required and a hands-on creative approach guides you. The inner world can be seen, shaped and understood through the use of symbols, archetypes and gentle guidance, allowing your own insights to arise when ready.
Sandtray therapy can:·
• Bring clarity and relief from feeling ‘stuck’
• Access deep insight and healing, without needing words
• Navigate grief, trauma and significant life changes
• Unveil your true self and live accordingly
• Awaken an embodied sense of worth and confidence
• Supports children, teens and adults of all ages
Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.”
Gentle encouragement
and guidance
Bringing change
and healing
A unique space to
uncover insights
Art therapy is for everyone!
It can be a common misconception that one must be ‘artistic’ to come to art therapy, thinking it is about making a piece of ‘art’. Although some clients may walk away with a work they love, art-making within the therapeutic space is not an art class or for the purpose of making a piece of artwork at all. It is used as a tool for accessing healing and there may be many sessions where it is not used, needed or wanted at all.
We are all born with a creative drive - just as we are born with hearts and lungs and the instinct to breathe, so too is the instinct to create. Sadly, this has been squashed into a limiting idea of what it is to be creative and what ‘art’ looks like. Our very deep and natural creative instincts are wide and varied and expressed in a multitude of forms and ways of living. This is not necessarily anything to do with art!
Rachel works with people of all ages and backgrounds, supporting those to navigate through experiences such as trauma, anxiety, grief, stress, addiction, relationship challenges and personal transitions. Her approach is client-centred, compassionate, and non-judgmental, employing various art mediums as needed, but not necessary if talking is preferred. The sessions are tailored to each individual needs and wants, supporting each client to have an empowering experience through finding their own meaningful ways of seeking relief from emotional distress, working through a specific issue, or simply exploring their creative side.
"We are all born with a creative drive - just as we are born with hearts and lungs and the instinct to breathe, so too is the instinct to create."
Rachel Besser holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, a Master of Art Therapy, is a member of ANZACATA, ACA, a qualified Sandplay Therapist and is NDIS compliant.
She is a qualified Art Therapist, Counsellor, and Sandplay Therapist, specialising in using creative mediums as a therapeutic tool.
Rachel is also a wedding and funeral celebrant, guiding individuals, couples and families through life transitions and events through sacred ceremonies.
She has facilitated many women’s circles through the cycles of womanhood, including pre/post-natal work. Alongside her rich life journey, Rachel has raised four beautiful children, able to offer compassionate support and guidance from her decades of parenting.
She has 33 years of dedicated work in the field of self-healing and therapeutic practices and is dedicated to guiding individuals and groups along their own journey of healing, self-discovery, and personal growth.
Rachel is available for appointments from her beautiful studio, nestled within the tranquil Blue Mountains of NSW.
She is also available for zoom appointments and offers flexible appointment times to suit all time zones.Rachel works with all ages, including couples and families, and specialises in womens' work.
Rachel offers an initial 15-30mins phone consultation free of charge - please reach out with any queries and to schedule your first session.
