Mizgin Arslan

Hello, and welcome.

I'm available for appointments on Tuesdays between 10 AM and 3 PM, Wednesday and Friday evenings, and Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. I鈥檇 be happy to find a time that works for you!

Creative Arts Child Counsellor & Therapist

I am a 麻豆原创-registered creative arts counsellor, holding a Master's degree and postgraduate qualifications in Therapeutic Arts and Child Counselling. I work with both children and adults, offering a compassionate, creative, and relational approach to emotional and psychological wellbeing.

My background in biology and cinema, along with over a decade of experience as a filmmaker and storyteller, deeply informs my therapeutic work. Becoming a mother inspired me to shift towards counselling, and I bring this lived experience鈥攃ombined with clinical training - into a practice that values empathy, imagination, and trust.

At the heart of my work is the belief that healing happens through connection, safety, and self-expression. I use a combination of talking therapy and creative methods such as drawing, movement, role play, and storytelling. These tools help children and adults access emotions that may be difficult to express with words alone.

Clients come to me with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, sleep difficulties, grief, early trauma, emotional numbness, and struggles with relationships or self-esteem. I aim to create a non-judgmental space where each person feels seen, heard, and supported at their own pace.

Over the past four years, I鈥檝e worked within schools, charities, and mental health services, supporting clients with both mild and more complex needs. Whether we鈥檙e working through big feelings or small shifts, I see therapy as a collaborative journey -one where creativity can help make the invisible visible.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, low mood, sleep issues, or emotional struggles, you're not alone. Therapy can offer a space to understand what's going on, feel more connected to yourself, and move towards a greater sense of balance and hope. You don鈥檛 need to have everything figured out鈥攖hat鈥檚 what we鈥檒l explore together. All that鈥檚 needed is a willingness to engage in the process.

I know that starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you've had difficult experiences in the past. Building trust takes time, and we can begin gently. I offer a 75-minute initial assessment session so we have space to get to know each other, understand your needs, and decide whether we鈥檙e the right fit. If we agree to continue, we鈥檒l begin with a block of six sessions and regularly review your progress.

I trained at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE), a leading centre in integrative and arts-based psychotherapy. In our work, we may draw on both talking therapy and creative approaches such as drawing, painting, movement, or storytelling. These methods can help access deeper emotional layers that words alone might not reach.

I also incorporate gentle body-based practices, including grounding movements and breathwork, to support emotional regulation and self-awareness. Together, we鈥檒l find the approaches that feel most helpful for you.

Therapy is a journey of discovery and healing. At times, it may stir up long-held emotions鈥攂ut this is often part of the process of meaningful change. With time and care, therapy can help you feel more empowered, more at ease in yourself, and more connected to the life you want to live.

Leslie Greenberg reminds us, 鈥淵ou have to arrive at the place in order to leave it.鈥� As your therapist, I will gently support you to arrive at your own pace, providing a safe and containing space where you feel held and ready to explore when it feels right for you.

I offer a 75-minute initial assessment session at the same fee as a standard 50-minute session.

This longer session allows space to explore what鈥檚 bringing you or your child to therapy, understand your needs, and see whether we鈥檙e a good fit to work together.

For adult clients, I may use assessment tools such as the CORE-10, GAD-7 and PHQ-9 to support a shared understanding of current emotional wellbeing. These tools are always optional and used only if they feel relevant and helpful. The process remains collaborative and client-led.

When working with children, the initial assessment is held with the parent or caregiver. This session includes gathering information about the child鈥檚 developmental history鈥攕uch as pregnancy, early years, siblings, family dynamics, any Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), sudden life changes, and the family's understanding of the child鈥檚 current challenges. This helps form a holistic picture of the child鈥檚 world and how best to support them.

The aim of this first session鈥攚hether for an adult or child鈥攊s to create a safe, respectful space where your concerns are heard, and we can begin shaping a therapeutic plan together.