Claire Rye

Introduction

Kia ora whānau, ko Claire toku ingoa. 

I'm a Creative Arts Therapist. Originally from the UK, I have lived in Aotearoa for the past 10 years.

My primary counselling experience is working with rangatahi, but I love sharing creative therapies with Tangata of all ages and am open to supporting you in these methods. 

Creative Arts Therapies cover a broad range of creative expression (including visual arts, movement, creative writing, drama, sound ) to facilitate the exploration of feelings, improve self-awareness and reduce anxiety. Creative methods can be a safe and healthy way to explore themes that may be hard to put into words and to find new pathways to healing. 

I am affirming of culture, gender and neurodiversity in my practice.

I am currently focusing on personal training relating to supporting people who have autism. 

I love to paint, my speciality is mural painting, but I work with a broad spectrum of the arts when working therapeutically so whatever your interest is, I will accommodate that. 

You don't have to create if you don't want to I am happy to facilitate a less creative session too! I work in a person-centred manner. You are the expert in your own life and recovery, but I have tools and methods to help you achieve improved wellbeing. 

In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, being outdoors, spending time with my dog, friends, and family, watching movies, and creating paintings. 

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about how I use creative arts therapies within ACC Sensitive claims, and how these methods can support your mental health and wellbeing. 

Qualifications

• Trauma Sensitive Yoga (20 hours), NZ 2025
• Creative Arts Therapy, Clinical Masters (first class hons), Whitecliffe, Auckland, NZ, 2022
• Interactive Drawing Therapy for Children and Adolescents. NZ 2022
• Focusing Oriented Arts Therapy tools 1&2 2021
• Creative Arts Therapy Postgraduate Diploma, Whiteciffe, Christchurch, NZ, 2020
• Te Reo Māori Level 1&2 - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. 2019
• Interactive Drawing Therapy Foundation Course. NZ 2019
• BA (Hons) Fine Art (Sculpture), Manchester Metropolitan University, UK 2001

Experience

• ACC registered Counsellor for Sensitive Claims - Art Therapist- ACC ISSC Group Coordinator (since 2023)
• Stopping Violence Dunedin - Youth Service Coordinator 2018-2024
• Dunedin Collaboration Against Family/Whānau Violence - Community Support Network Co-ordinator 2018-2019
• Oranga Tamariki - Kaiawhina  for Puketai Care and Protection Home and Te Pae Tawhiti Therapeutic Home 2017
• Before moving to Aotearoa-NZ, I was a youth worker and community arts facilitator in London and Manchester for 10 years.