Event

AACBT NSW – Newcastle: The arts in health: what is it and how do therapists get on board?

This event has passed.
23 Aug 2018
06:30 pm
- 08:00 pm
Hotel Delany
134 Darby St, Cooks Hill NSW 2300, Australia
  • Genevieve Dingle
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Pub Discussion

Dr Genevieve Dingle will be presenting “The arts in health: what is it and how do therapists get on board?” and will have special guests “BrainWaves” performing!

Come to this discussion to learn about including arts-based practice in your client work.

In this talk Genevieve will discuss the arts in health and her work related to this topic. “Arts in health” refers to the use of music, art, drama writing and other forms of creative arts within hospitals and community settings. Genevieve will explore the field using examples of her projects such as School of Hard Knocks,  the Live Wires Choir with retirement residents, and the Mater Young Adults Health Centre. She will outline the mechanisms and effectiveness of such approaches, how you can begin to use the arts in your work, and some key points to consider.

The Newcastle stroke rehabilitation choir “BrainWaves” will also be performing a selection of songs.

BrainWaves is a choir for people who have survived a stroke and their partners or carers. It was started as an initiative of Hunter New England Health’s Community Stroke Team and became the basis of Bernadette Matthias’ PhD research project into stroke recovery. Bernadette has a background in speech pathology as well as music – a professional singer and choir director. The BrainWaves research has been supported by the National Stroke Foundation.

The choir was established – in 2 groups – in early 2012. After baseline assessments of well-being, quality of life, depression, social participation and communication, Group A participated in 12 weeks of 2-hour choir rehearsals. Following further assessment for all, Group B received the same.

The first choir performed publicly in December 2012 and the second in June 2013. A combined public performance was held at the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music in December 2013. The choir also enjoyed national exposure on SBS TV’s Insight program (September 2013). Insight: Strokes.

With the assistance of private donor, Jennie Thomas, BrainWaves was established in 2014 as one of the Community Choirs of the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music. It has grown into a talented and inspiring group where warm friendships and fun are as important as the music that is made. The Conservatorium BrainWaves Stroke Choir operates under the patronage of the Stroke Recovery Association.

A pub discussion is a relaxed opportunity to observe a presentation on an interesting topic regarding cognitive behavioural therapy. There are opportunities for the willing to engage in a discussion relating to the topic towards the end of the presentation.

Dr Dingle is a lecturer in clinical psychology with research interests in the areas of substance misuse, mood disorders, and psychological constructs that may link dual disorders in particular emotion (dys)regulation.

This pub discussion was a sell-out when presented in Queensland, earlier in 2018.  Be sure to get your tickets early, or prepare yourself to miss out.


Registration from 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start, upstairs @ Hotel Delany.  Grab your dinner downstairs before the event, and there is wheelchair access via an elevator.

Read more in the flyer.

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