Creative approaches to support child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing

Dr Ella Dumaresq is a dance therapist and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and leads the Dance Movement Therapy stream in the Master of Creative Arts Therapies program. Ella holds a PhD in dance movement therapy: her doctoral project focused on developing collaborative approaches to dance therapy with women navigating through the criminal justice system. Alongside her academic duties, Ella has explored dance therapy with participants in a forensic psychiatric hospital and in community addiction recovery. She enjoys working with diverse groups of people to explore their perceptions and knowledge/s of using dance as a health and wellbeing resource.

Mya Sherwood is originally from Wagga Wagga in regional NSW and relocated with her family to Canberra in 2020. She is currently in Year 10 at Caroline Chisholm High School. Maya has ​had a strong passion for dance since early childhood, beginning ballet before starting school. Her current interests include Contemporary and Hip Hop. Mya has performed at events such as Dance Fest, Elevate Dance Competition and Dance Nation, as well as presenting her own choreography at school showcases. She values dance as a creative outlet that supports self-expression, emotional connection and community through shared performance. As well as dance, Mya works at a local fast-food restaurant and is a dedicated Kyokushin Karate competitor, achieving multiple state and national medals. 

Jess Nicol is the Coordinator of yourtown’s Starfish Family Mental Health Support Service in Logan, Queensland and has more than 15 years’ experience supporting children, young people and families through counselling, therapeutic arts practice, leadership and early intervention programs. Jess holds a Bachelor of Human Services (Counselling), a Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutic Arts Practice and is a registered ACA Level 4 Counsellor. Throughout her career, she has integrated creative and expressive approaches into her work, drawing on art, play, storytelling and movement-based experiences to support emotional expression, connection and resilience. Passionate about making evidence informed wellbeing practices accessible and engaging, Jess enjoys translating research into practical, creative and strengths based strategies that help children, families and communities build connection, resilience and positive mental health.

Dr Jasmine B. MacDonald (she/her) is a Research Manager in AIFS’ Qualitative and Participatory Methods team, and a qualified social worker with a PhD in psychology. Jasmine maintains subject matter expertise in trauma-informed research and practice, trauma exposure and reactions, and child and adolescent mental health. Jasmine has published 20+ peer-reviewed journal articles. She specialises in making complex ideas accessible to a wider audience and writes practical guides that help people build professional capability.