Discover Your Heart’s Expression:
Arts Therapy for Everyday Living
the of Maeum Living Arts
heart
Maeum (meaning “heart” in Korean) speaks to the emotional, empathetic, soul-filled spaces within us.
Living, life, presence and experience. We are all born with innate creativity that can be explored & expressed in all areas of our lives.
Arts are our tools and friends. They can help tangibly hold our emotions and reflect back to us our subconscious beliefs, behaviours & values without words.
hi ㅡ I’m Sylvia Dawon Kim
I began creating this online space to share ways we can use creativity to enhance our wellbeing and enrich our everyday living.
Before embarking on my Arts Therapy journey, I studied Fine Arts and, while maintaining my own art practice, went on to tutor art in private settings within New Zealand and South Korea. During this time, I developed a strong curiosity and interest in the emotional well-being of my students and began reflecting on the positive effects that art-making had on all of us.
Fast-forward, I am now a professionally registered Arts Therapist based in New Zealand and have gained rich experience facilitating both individual and group therapy in different social, cultural and creative settings. These include primary & tertiary schools, community organisations and hospice.
I navigate life with a strong sense of empathy and curiosity. In addition to establishing my private therapeutic practice, I am committed to furthering my learning and applying what I’ve learnt to different facets that make up my everyday life. In my leisure time, I enjoy gathering with friends & family, engaging in creative activities, reading, watching movies, admiring the changing light in the skies and decorating my home.
Welcome!
qualifications & training
I am a professionally registered practitioner of the Australia, New Zealand & Asia Creative Arts Therapy Association, ANZACATA.
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Whitecliffe.
Master of Arts, Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical)
First Class Honours, Whitecliffe.
Māori Healthcare & the Treaty of Waitangi, Mauri Ora.
Child Protection Training, Child Matters.
Focused Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Training, Grow.
location
My in-person arts therapy practice is currently based in Auckland, New Zealand.
I also offer online arts therapy sessions to those living within New Zealand, Australia and Asia.
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For those living outside of these areas, I plan on creating offerings in the near future that are accessible for anyone, anywhere.
In the meantime, you can find resources and writings about creative living & wellbeing on my blog here or sign up for email updates below.