Self Compassion through Artmaking – Online Group
Day and Evening sessions available
The information on this page is for an ACC sensitive claims approved online group. Your counsellor or psychologist can help you access the group if you have an approved claim.
Self Compassion through art making will support you to reflect on your current level of self-compassion and explore aspects of self-compassion through therapeutic visual artmaking.
Sessions are 90 mins and involve creative art making, reflection and an opportunity to share artwork or reflections. The sharing is completely optional.
Each week you’ll be guided through a simple art directive to explore and strengthen your capacity to exercise self-compassion in a creative and playful manner, using whatever art materials that are available to you. You will be invited to reflect on the theme from different perspectives. We’ll offer variations for each art activity including the type of materials, to give you agency and the ability to adjust the activity to your individual needs.
Potential Benefits
- Reconnect with yourself through creative expression
- Strengthen your sense of self through creative expression
- Explore perspectives of self-compassion in your personal narratives and increase your ability to exercise it
- Experience the pleasure of expressing yourself through creative artmaking
- Develop agency and choice through engaging at a level that feels safe to you.
Dates and times for 2026 term 3
The 8 week group will run via Zoom
DAY: Tuesdays from 11.30am – 1.00pm
EVENING: Tuesdays from 6.00 – 7.30pm
4 Aug – 22 Sep 2026
Info for ACC application
Supplier: Link House Birthright Waikato Trust G-09830 (both zeros)
12 hours x SCSGT
1 hour x SCSGTT
Provider: Dione Davies, Art Therapist PAQ560
Who is the group for?
This group is designed to support those who:
- Are female identifying adults (18 and over) who have an approved ACC claim
- Are ready and willing to engage in an online group experience
- Have some tools to manage any distress or anxiety that may arise
- Have an interest in visual art making and a willingness to explore through art materials.
- Have access to basic art materials
How to register
First please register with us on our google form by clicking the button
Then request a PO from ACC with these details:
Supplier: Link House Birthright Waikato Trust G-09830 (both zeros)
Provider: Dione Davies, Art Therapist PAQ560
12 hours x SCSGT
1 hour x SCSGTT
You’ll need to connect the group to one of your SMART goals. Your rationale may include:
- Reconnect with healthier narratives about self
- Gain confidence to practice acts of self-compassion that work for the individual
- Engage in reflective practices using art making
- Explore using the skill of artmaking for exploration and emotional regulation
What do others say about this group?
Term 1 2026
It’s amazing what could come up and the group is a great way to express things that might not be able to be spoken about. It is all personal and individual whilst we shared collective themes in our lives
Term 4 2025
just having a set time each week to process thing through art was so good, not knowing what the outcome would be or having any expectations on the art I created was great and it ended up being something I looked forward to, which I didn’t expect because I usually dread zoom calls and appointments.
Term 4 2025
I didn’t think I would be inclined to share at all but it felt like a very safe space to do so, non-judgemental and welcoming of different thoughts/perspectives/interpretations on the prompts
Term 2 2025
Really appreciated the grounding exercises before session, made it much easier to settle into space and really liked the looseness to it – how we are able to choose what materials to work with/ how to follow the prompt and the safe space – choosing whether to share or have cameras on. Overall an amazing process thank you very much !
Term 1 2026
Go with it, let yourself feel. Remember, you don’t have to share with the group, so the more open and honest you are with yourself, the more you will be able effect change and find a path to a better life.
Term 3 2025
Kia ora , I was very apprehensive for the first 2 sessions being in a group of strangers from around the country. It took me awhile to settle. Once I allowed myself to trust in the process I was thankful I stayed with the sessions. The topics each session were a surprise but relevant. It gave me the time to commit to sitting and working on my art piece, and just let my thoughts flow and changes happen, something I rarely give myself. I would like to join again if given the option. Ngā mihi.
Your Facilitators
Dione Davies
Dione received her BASS(counselling) in 2004, MAAT(clinical) in 2013 and is a registered Arts Therapist, with membership with ANZACATA. She has had an exclusively online art therapy private practice since 2019 (pre-covid). She chooses to work online to provide accessibility and flexibility for her clients, knowing that many New Zealanders live in small communities or have limitations on their ability to access services outside their homes.
Julie Dobson
Julie attained a BA in AOD Studies in 2010 and an MA in Arts Therapy (Clinical) in 2018. She is a registered arts therapist with ANZACATA, a supervisor and addictions counsellor with DAPAANZ, and an ACC lead provider. Julie particularly enjoys integrating creative and somatic approaches into her therapeutic work.