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 is an artist, Art Therapist, she lives in Wellington, NZ. Trained in fine art receiving a B.F.A. from The College of Art and Design, Nova Scotia, Canada 1978, then an M.A. in Art Therapy, from Ursuline College, Cleveland, Ohio 1991. Mary specializes in child therapy, family work with experience in areas of Illness/Death/Bereavement, Family Break-up, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Developmental & Adjustment Disorders, Refugee/cultural displacement and Trauma. She currently is employed at Te Omanga Hospice and runs a private practice. Professional memberships are with NZAC, Australia New Zealand Art Therapy Association.
Mary began using IDT in 1994 integrating IDT with Art Therapy and Sand tray modalities, and now practices IDT with individuals and groups, in supervision/with supervisees. Mary teaches IDT courses since becoming a trainer in 2012. Email: [email protected]
Mary is an artist, Art Therapist, she lives in Wellington, NZ. Trained in fine art receiving a B.F.A. from The College of Art and Design, Nova Scotia, Canada 1978, then an M.A. in Art Therapy, from Ursuline College, Cleveland, Ohio 1991. Mary specializes in child therapy, family work with experience in areas of Illness/Death/Bereavement, Family Break-up, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Developmental & Adjustment Disorders, Refugee/cultural displacement and Trauma. She currently is employed at Te Omanga Hospice and runs a private practice. Professional memberships are with NZAC, Australia New Zealand Art Therapy Association.
Mary began using IDT in 1994 integrating IDT with Art Therapy and Sand tray modalities, and now practices IDT with individuals and groups, in supervision/with supervisees. Mary teaches IDT courses since becoming a trainer in 2012. Email: [email protected]
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 of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). When she has time, you can find her reading, doodling with her crayons or running her Mindful Doodles activities.
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 of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). When she has time, you can find her reading, doodling with her crayons or running her Mindful Doodles activities.
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]