A bright painting of a woman with flowers represents the unique challenges we each face in the world, balancing emotions, relationships and wellbeing and the many ways we explore these experiences through counselling services
The soft, calm nature of this mint green signifies the calm feelings experienced in our space
Fresh flowers are a staple in our clinic rooms, creating a warm and inviting space for your healing journey
Yellow dots signify the care we show our clients on their journey to emotional, mental, physical and social wellbeing

We care deeply

The Art of Wellbeing was founded in 2020 with the mission to support individuals, couples and families to cultivate emotional, mental, physical, and social wellbeing. We utilise innovative modalities and trauma-informed approaches to ensure each client receives care tailored to their unique needs. 

We understand that, although complex and unique to each individual, our wellbeing influences and determines our overall experience of health, joy and contentment. At The Art of Wellbeing, we hold a deep commitment to your wellbeing, and strive to empower you and your family to experience a life of meaning and purpose.

The mint colour is calming, soothing and grounding, much like the support we provide the North East Victoria community
Rykie Smith founded The Art of Wellbeing with the belief that all people are worthy of living lives of joy, fulfillment and wellbeing
The playful graphics and shapes highlight our creative, modern flare as psychotherapists focused on modern therapeutic interventions that feel joyful and comforting
The graphic elements demonstrate the creativity and playfulness that is valued highly in our therapeutic practice

Rykie Smith MA AThR

Rykie’s solution-driven approach skillfully guides individuals, couples and organisations along their unique journey toward wellbeing, helping them to heal from trauma, overcome challenges and empowering them to live authentically.

Founder/Principal Therapist

The overlapping graphic elements work in harmony, just as our team of psychotherapists and counsellors support our clients and their families to find balance and wellbeing
Shannon Hourigan is a highly educated and experienced play therapist who specialises in supporting young children and their families
The pink bots bring a sense of balance and gentleness, demonstrating our values towards providing trauma-informed counselling
The yellow paint brushstrokes demonstrate the importance of self-expression and play in the process of healing, resolving trauma, and creating fulfilling lives

Shannon Hourigan B.Ed; MA CPT

Play Therapist

Shannon's therapeutic practice supports children's emotional and psychological development, to build resilience and develop strategies for coping with life's challenges. Whatever your concern, Shannon offers effective guidance every step of the way.
Nikkita Goncalves is an expressive arts therapist and talented artist, experienced in supporting children and adolescents to explore identity and discover their unique needs. Her counselling style is client-centered, compassionate and caring
A joyful artistic brush stroke in soothing teal green tones
A pink graphic shape represents care and compassion, essential qualities in therapy for emotional and mental health support
The Art of Wellbeing in Wangaratta, Victoria, uses interesting graphic shapes to symbolise their value for creative and progressive therapeutic interventions

Nikkita Goncalves MA AThR

Nikkita's compassionate, client-centered approach supports adolescents and adults to explore identity, build self-esteem and discover "the glitter that we each have inside of us"!  She is dedicated to helping others harness the profound benefits of creativity.

Expressive Arts Therapist

The yellow shape represents sunshine, happy days and finding joy in the darkness we all experience during life's challenges
A playful creative approach supports the therapeutic process, making therapy and counselling more enjoyable and effective
Ashleigh Marlow is a trauma-responsive therapist specialising in an embodied approach to counselling and transforming trauma
Creative arts therapy is an effective and progressive approach to psychotherapy and mental health, which is represented by the interesting graphic shapes in harmonious tones on our website

Ashleigh Marlow MA AThR

Ashleigh's gentle yet effective practice blends a creative mind-body approach with modern neuroscience to empower adolescents and adults to reach their unique mental health goals, process unresolved trauma, and reconnect with themselves.

Somatic Arts Therapist

We Value

The teal green shape compliments the harmonious backdrop of the website, much like our warm and inviting therapeutic space for counselling
Quality psychotherapy relies on creativity and a safe space to explore self-expression, which is represented by this expressive brush stroke shape

Evidence-based, progressive practices

We take pride in our unwavering commitment to continuously incorporating the latest research in the treatment of mental health. By equipping ourselves and our clients with evidence-based skills, tools and insights, we ensure the highest quality of individualised care.

The pink thread represents our clinic's use of versatile and exciting materials, helping to engage our clients in processes that lead to powerful insights and transformation
The pink flowers are warm and inviting, just like our aesthetic space that supports relaxation, calm and emotional regulation
An upright horseshoe signifies luck and good fortune. Our therapy supports help our clients to redirect their lives towards fulfillment and internal peace

Progress

We believe therapy has to result in tangible improvements in day-to-day life. We don’t believe clients have to remain in therapy for extended periods without real progress being made.

This is why we choose a more progressive approach (link to approach page) that integrates a range of evidence-based practices and creative modalities to ensure the best outcomes possible.

A cool teal green space is calming, soothing and pleasing to the eye
The warmth of this pink squiggle signifies a compassionate and caring space for comfort

Relationship

We believe a prime determinant of the outcome of the therapeutic process is the quality of the client-therapist relationship. Our practitioners do not evaluate or judge clients' thoughts, feelings or behaviours, but instead endeavour to establish a relationship that is authentic and empathetic.
We view the therapeutic process as a collaboration, and together we set out to restore hope, find solutions and facilitate change.

Authenticity

We celebrate diversity and advocate for inclusivity. The Art of Wellbeing offers a safe space for clients where they can feel understood, express their emotions, make sense of their experiences, and find solutions to challenges.

We encourage individuals to align with their true values and honour their unique qualities and passions, as this leads to a deeper sense of purpose and inner peace.

Start your journey today!

A space just for you

We believe the design of counselling spaces plays a significant role in therapeutic outcomes as it affects the client's experience, and influences behaviour, cognition, and mood.

Our clinic has been carefully and thoughtfully designed to create a warm, welcoming and safe space for our clients and their loved ones. 

Whether you want to explore how we can help you, make an appointment or collaborate with us we look forward to welcoming you soon!