Meet the IDT Team
Irena Stenner - Wellington, New Zealand
I discovered IDT in 1996. I was a trained art therapist at the time. After doing one IDT foundation course I was hooked and attended one of the first Advanced courses that Russell Withers, the founder of IDT, offered. I have consistently used IDT it as my main modality since then. In 2010 I decided to become an IDT teacher and completed the teacher training two years later. I have since then taught many IDT courses and continue to love the modality. In the past few years I have become increasingly interested in learning more about including the body in the therapeutic process and in combining IDT with a somatic approach. This has led me to become a student of craniosacral therapy. My practice is a now a combination of IDT, mindfulness and body intelligence.
I am member of NZAC. I am currently working for Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP with individual clients, I run workshops and provide supervision. [email protected]
I discovered IDT in 1996. I was a trained art therapist at the time. After doing one IDT foundation course I was hooked and attended one of the first Advanced courses that Russell Withers, the founder of IDT, offered. I have consistently used IDT it as my main modality since then. In 2010 I decided to become an IDT teacher and completed the teacher training two years later. I have since then taught many IDT courses and continue to love the modality. In the past few years I have become increasingly interested in learning more about including the body in the therapeutic process and in combining IDT with a somatic approach. This has led me to become a student of craniosacral therapy. My practice is a now a combination of IDT, mindfulness and body intelligence.
I am member of NZAC. I am currently working for Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP with individual clients, I run workshops and provide supervision. [email protected]
Mary Brownlow - Wellington, New Zealand
Mary Brownlow is an experienced art therapist, artist, and Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT) teacher trainer with over 35 years of clinical practice in palliative care, mental health, and child and family counselling. She now focuses on delivering IDT training and ongoing professional development for practitioners across New Zealand. Mary holds a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Canada (1978) and an MA in Art Therapy from Ursuline College, Ohio, USA (1991). She began integrating IDT into her work in 1994, combining it with Art Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy in both individual and group settings, including supervision. Accredited as an IDT teacher trainer in 2012, she provides training to clinicians in health services, community agencies, and professional groups.
Mary’s clinical background includes extensive work with children and families in the areas of chronic illness, bereavement, trauma, developmental and adjustment disorders, and mental health. She has worked in hospice and palliative care for over 17 years and has decades of experience in private practice and contract work in diverse support services.
Mary facilitates Foundation (Units 1 & 2), Intermediate and Advanced IDT courses, as well as specialist workshops including IDT and Presence, IDT and the Senses, and IDT in Supervision.
Contact:
Turtle Spring Arts, 41 View Road, Wellington 6023, NZ
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +64 21 872 303
Mary Brownlow is an experienced art therapist, artist, and Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT) teacher trainer with over 35 years of clinical practice in palliative care, mental health, and child and family counselling. She now focuses on delivering IDT training and ongoing professional development for practitioners across New Zealand. Mary holds a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Canada (1978) and an MA in Art Therapy from Ursuline College, Ohio, USA (1991). She began integrating IDT into her work in 1994, combining it with Art Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy in both individual and group settings, including supervision. Accredited as an IDT teacher trainer in 2012, she provides training to clinicians in health services, community agencies, and professional groups.
Mary’s clinical background includes extensive work with children and families in the areas of chronic illness, bereavement, trauma, developmental and adjustment disorders, and mental health. She has worked in hospice and palliative care for over 17 years and has decades of experience in private practice and contract work in diverse support services.
Mary facilitates Foundation (Units 1 & 2), Intermediate and Advanced IDT courses, as well as specialist workshops including IDT and Presence, IDT and the Senses, and IDT in Supervision.
Contact:
Turtle Spring Arts, 41 View Road, Wellington 6023, NZ
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +64 21 872 303
Gillian Hunt (Senior Teacher) - Palmerston North, New Zealand
As a beginning counsellor I encountered IDT in the mid-1990s. I loved the IDT way of working and enjoyed attending all the trainings. I’m now an IDT counsellor, therapist, supervisor and teacher. I work in private practice and see a full range of clients with an equally full range of issues. My interest in how to use IDT has expanded over time to include working with individuals, couples and families, and with specific issues such as trauma. I enjoy the energy that IDT generates in the counselling room, and the frequent surprise of unexpected insights. It’s also useful that IDT helps the client reveal and record their own wisdom, which they then can take home with them.
Gillian is a member of MNZAC and has a Postgrad Dip Ed (Guidance and Counselling). She is an accredited IDT Teacher, Trainer and Supervisor. Email: [email protected]
As a beginning counsellor I encountered IDT in the mid-1990s. I loved the IDT way of working and enjoyed attending all the trainings. I’m now an IDT counsellor, therapist, supervisor and teacher. I work in private practice and see a full range of clients with an equally full range of issues. My interest in how to use IDT has expanded over time to include working with individuals, couples and families, and with specific issues such as trauma. I enjoy the energy that IDT generates in the counselling room, and the frequent surprise of unexpected insights. It’s also useful that IDT helps the client reveal and record their own wisdom, which they then can take home with them.
Gillian is a member of MNZAC and has a Postgrad Dip Ed (Guidance and Counselling). She is an accredited IDT Teacher, Trainer and Supervisor. Email: [email protected]
Florence Ee - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Florence is an IDT trainer in Brisbane. Her teaching philosophy is mirrored in her training mantra: "I am resourceful. I am mindful. I am curious. I am compassionate". Florence has been teaching IDT since 2012 and her area of speciality is working with children and adolescents. She has used IDT for many years to effectively process trauma, grief and loss, anxiety issues, personal relationships and supervision.
With qualifications in psychology and counselling, she is currently providing counselling at a community based sexual assault service. She uses IDT as her main framework in her counselling sessions.
Florence is a clinical member and accredited supervisor with the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). When she has time, you can find her reading, recycle crayons and creating new projects for Mindful Doodles.
BInfoTech (USQ), BSc(Psychology) (USQ), Master of Counselling (QUT)
Email: [email protected]
Florence is an IDT trainer in Brisbane. Her teaching philosophy is mirrored in her training mantra: "I am resourceful. I am mindful. I am curious. I am compassionate". Florence has been teaching IDT since 2012 and her area of speciality is working with children and adolescents. She has used IDT for many years to effectively process trauma, grief and loss, anxiety issues, personal relationships and supervision.
With qualifications in psychology and counselling, she is currently providing counselling at a community based sexual assault service. She uses IDT as her main framework in her counselling sessions.
Florence is a clinical member and accredited supervisor with the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). When she has time, you can find her reading, recycle crayons and creating new projects for Mindful Doodles.
BInfoTech (USQ), BSc(Psychology) (USQ), Master of Counselling (QUT)
Email: [email protected]
Annette Coulter - Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
Annette is an IDT trainer, art psychotherapist, published author and practising artist. Her qualifications include art psychotherapy, art education and visual art. She enjoys the interface between IDT and art therapy and has completed further studies in child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Annette is an accredited supervisor and clinical member of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), honorary member and approved supervisor of Australian New Zealand, Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA), and clinical member of Australian Association Family Therapy, (AAFT). She provides supervision, education and customised training and is co-author of The Introductory Guide to Art Therapy (2014). https://artpsychotherapy.com.au/publications/
MA Art Education (Art Psychotherapy) (UK)
PgDip ArtTherapy (UK)
Dip Fine Art (Qld College of Art)
The Centre for Art Psychotherapy, http://artpsychotherapy.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Annette is an IDT trainer, art psychotherapist, published author and practising artist. Her qualifications include art psychotherapy, art education and visual art. She enjoys the interface between IDT and art therapy and has completed further studies in child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Annette is an accredited supervisor and clinical member of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), honorary member and approved supervisor of Australian New Zealand, Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA), and clinical member of Australian Association Family Therapy, (AAFT). She provides supervision, education and customised training and is co-author of The Introductory Guide to Art Therapy (2014). https://artpsychotherapy.com.au/publications/
MA Art Education (Art Psychotherapy) (UK)
PgDip ArtTherapy (UK)
Dip Fine Art (Qld College of Art)
The Centre for Art Psychotherapy, http://artpsychotherapy.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Frauke Hobbs - Adelaide, South Australia
Frauke is a clinically registered counsellor, psychotherapist and group facilitator. She brings with her over 30 years of experience in the human transformation field, which she developed in her native Germany and in Australia. Frauke has always had a passion for empowering people to reach their full potential by utilising a range of counselling and therapy approaches, including drama and action methods and Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT).
Frauke discovered IDT 12 years ago while working in counselling, case management, clinical and leadership roles in youth mental health. IDT soon became her modality of choice in supporting young people and families to manage and overcome life challenges and mental health issues. In 2020 Frauke started working as a clinical counsellor in private practice, where she provides person-centred counselling and psychotherapy services for young people (12 years up) and adults. She is a clinical member of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation Australia (PACFA).
Frauke is an accredited IDT instructor and passionate about the ongoing development of Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT) theory and practice, including the use and benefits of this unique expressive therapy modality in the recovery from trauma and trauma related symptoms.
https://www.beyondtalkcounselling.au
Dip Soc Pedagogy
MA Soc Sci (Counselling)
Email: [email protected]
Frauke is a clinically registered counsellor, psychotherapist and group facilitator. She brings with her over 30 years of experience in the human transformation field, which she developed in her native Germany and in Australia. Frauke has always had a passion for empowering people to reach their full potential by utilising a range of counselling and therapy approaches, including drama and action methods and Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT).
Frauke discovered IDT 12 years ago while working in counselling, case management, clinical and leadership roles in youth mental health. IDT soon became her modality of choice in supporting young people and families to manage and overcome life challenges and mental health issues. In 2020 Frauke started working as a clinical counsellor in private practice, where she provides person-centred counselling and psychotherapy services for young people (12 years up) and adults. She is a clinical member of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation Australia (PACFA).
Frauke is an accredited IDT instructor and passionate about the ongoing development of Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT) theory and practice, including the use and benefits of this unique expressive therapy modality in the recovery from trauma and trauma related symptoms.
https://www.beyondtalkcounselling.au
Dip Soc Pedagogy
MA Soc Sci (Counselling)
Email: [email protected]
Maria Lui – Tamaki Makarau (Auckland), New Zealand
I began my IDT journey in 2003, completing Foundational levels 1 and 2. My love of IDT led me to advanced and specialist courses. I eventually earned Trainer and Supervisor certification. I have used throughout my work with children and families. I enjoy clients ‘trusting the process’ to find their own wisdom and the moments of delight and lightness that can arise spontaneously in a session.
Maria is a registered Social Worker, Full Member of NZAC and registered Creative Arts Therapist.
Contact Maria Lui: [email protected]
I began my IDT journey in 2003, completing Foundational levels 1 and 2. My love of IDT led me to advanced and specialist courses. I eventually earned Trainer and Supervisor certification. I have used throughout my work with children and families. I enjoy clients ‘trusting the process’ to find their own wisdom and the moments of delight and lightness that can arise spontaneously in a session.
Maria is a registered Social Worker, Full Member of NZAC and registered Creative Arts Therapist.
Contact Maria Lui: [email protected]
Lynne Cranston – Manawatū, New Zealand
I was introduced to IDT in 2017 through supervision with Gillian Hunt. At first, I wondered when we’d get to “the talking,” but soon found myself looking forward to each session and curious about what would unfold on the page. I was hooked. IDT quickly became my preferred modality for working with clients of all ages, and I continue to use it every day in my practice.
In 2020, I began training to teach IDT. I’ve co-taught across all levels—Foundations, Intermediate, and Advanced—and since 2024 have shared full co-teaching responsibilities with Gillian, including course delivery and development. I love watching participants catch the spark of IDT for themselves and witnessing the deep, respectful way it supports change. Lynne is a member of NZAC and works as a contractor in a local community agency, several schools, as well as in private practice offering counselling and supervision.
Contact Lynne : [email protected]
I was introduced to IDT in 2017 through supervision with Gillian Hunt. At first, I wondered when we’d get to “the talking,” but soon found myself looking forward to each session and curious about what would unfold on the page. I was hooked. IDT quickly became my preferred modality for working with clients of all ages, and I continue to use it every day in my practice.
In 2020, I began training to teach IDT. I’ve co-taught across all levels—Foundations, Intermediate, and Advanced—and since 2024 have shared full co-teaching responsibilities with Gillian, including course delivery and development. I love watching participants catch the spark of IDT for themselves and witnessing the deep, respectful way it supports change. Lynne is a member of NZAC and works as a contractor in a local community agency, several schools, as well as in private practice offering counselling and supervision.
Contact Lynne : [email protected]