Noha Aly

08/06/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated Eid Al-Adha by creating a safe, welcoming space for families who have recently arrived from Gaza. I had the absolute honour of designing and running art therapy sessions for them, and my heart is incredibly full.

When people experience displacement and the trauma of conflict, finding words to express their feelings can be overwhelming. Art therapy steps in as a gentle, non-verbal way to process big emotions, regulate the nervous system, and find a sense of calm.
We invited our participants to create a piece that represents their inner strength, a core value, or something that keeps them going. Every activity was chosen with deep therapeutic intention:

🏡 Creating ‘Home’ outside of home: For those who have been displaced, the feeling of home can feel far away. Assembling house-shaped wind chimes and 3D scratch-art house lanterns allowed them to physically shape and connect with concepts of safety, light, and belonging.

✨ Reclaiming Control: Trauma often takes away choices. By offering a vast world of options (pendant necklaces, scratch magnet frames, magazines, collage cut-outs, and glitter) everyone was given total agency to choose their own path and artistic expression.

The energy in the room was beautiful. Both the mums and the kids got completely lost in the magic of art-making. Seeing them fully engaged, smiling, and connecting with their creations was a powerful reminder of how resilient the human spirit is.

An event like this takes a whole community. I want to say a massive, heartfelt thank you to the beautiful volunteers who showed up and worked tirelessly behind the scenes; I honestly could never have done this without you all. 🫶

A huge thank you also to and for facilitating this vital space and providing the opportunity for these families to celebrate, connect, and feel supported during Eid Al-Adha. It is an honour to collaborate with organisations dedicated to such deep community care. 🕊️

Swipe to see some of the beautiful textures, colours, and moments from yesterday.

Noha Aly 😊

06/06/2026

Reflecting on a powerful Sunday.

I had the privilege of returning to the RRF program; a 6-week journey for women navigating separation and divorce, hosted by New Beginnings and CMW. Having facilitated the opening week, it was an honour to return for the final session to witness the incredible growth and resilience of these women.

For our final directive, we used visualisation mindfulness to look ahead, inviting participants to paint their “future self” and the life they wish to cultivate.

There were tears, but there was also a remarkable sense of relief in the room. In this space, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to create. When one participant chose to put her artwork in the bin, it was a profound moment of clinical truth: sometimes, the art acts as a container for pain, and throwing it away is the final, symbolic act of letting go.

Thank you to the team at , , , and for the opportunity to contribute to this vital program. To the women of RRF; may your next chapters be as bold and beautiful as the visions you shared. 🤍

SeparationRecovery CreativeHealing TraumaInformed MelbourneTherapist ProcessOverProduct

04/06/2026

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT! 🎨✨

I’m so glad to be running the art therapy session for this wonderful event organised by the Migrant Information Centre!

This workshop is a completely FREE, welcoming space to unwind, connect with others, and explore your creative side—no artistic skills required at all. 💛

The Details:
📍 Where: Manningham Uniting Church, Community Space 1

#️⃣ When: Thursday, 11 June, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

🥗 Bonus: All art supplies and a light lunch are fully provided!

🚗 Parking: Free undercover parking is available on-site.

Note: The session will be conducted in English.

How to secure your spot:
Spaces are limited, so please register early! Scan the QR code on the flyer in image or reach out to Krishani on 0403236210.

Hope to see you there!

MigrantSupport ManninghamEvents CreativeCommunity

15/05/2026

Full house, full hearts!

Last night was the fourth and final session of the "Library Lantern Lab" for the Knox Library After Dark program, and honestly, I’m still feeling so moved by it all. We had an absolute bumper crowd; completely overbooked with a waiting list!

For our final project, we breathed new life into recycled bottles and everyday items to create custom lanterns. We kicked off with a grounding mindfulness practice, inviting everyone to find the light within themselves or the light in their lives, and bring that essence into the room.

There was so much autonomy in the room. People created exactly what resonated with them, resulting in a vast range of outcomes; some tall, some short, some bursting with colour, and others completely transparent to let the light shine right through.

The feedback about the variety of materials was so lovely, but a moment that completely caught my attention was when a participant (who has been to all of these 4 sessions now) handed me a thank-you card with the most touching words. She actually came along last night even though she flies overseas today! It truly meant the world to me.

Thank you to every single person who brought their energy, vulnerability, and creativity to these four sessions. And a huge shoutout to Knox Library for making space for these vital community connections.

13/05/2026

رحلة إبداعية جديدة في ضيافتنا

ضمن سلسلة “لقاءات المعالجين بالفنون”، نسعد اليوم باستضافة المبدعة ياسمين سامي الفيلالي في حوار ثري يجمع بين الشغف والخبرة.

ندعوكم لمشاهدة اللقاء للاستفادة من رؤيتها المميزة وشرحها المتعمق في هذا المجال.

للتواصل مع ياسمين: تجدون الرابط في وصف الفيديو على قناة اليوتوب Art Therapy او من اللينك في البايو .

#إبداع #تمكين

13/05/2026

رحلة إبداعية جديدة في ضيافتنا

ضمن سلسلة "لقاءات المعالجين بالفنون"، نسعد اليوم باستضافة المبدعة ياسمين سامي الفيلالي في حوار ثري يجمع بين الشغف والخبرة.

ندعوكم لمشاهدة اللقاء للاستفادة من رؤيتها المميزة وشرحها المتعمق في هذا المجال.

للتواصل مع ياسمين: تجدون الرابط في وصف الفيديو أدناه.

#إبداع #تمكين

ياسمين الفيلالي اخصائي العلاج بالفن الاكلينيكي - مركز الطب الوقائي و الاجتماعي - كلية الطب جامعة القاهرةو مركز توازن للإستشارات النفسية و التدريب و الرئيس ال...

13/05/2026

Yesterday was one for the books.

The sun was absolutely perfect as we gathered on the sand for a noon of mindfulness and painting. We started with a guided meditation, letting the sound of the waves help us leave our worries behind before we even picked up our palettes.

The highlight of the day? Seeing the sheer joy of “giving it a go.” We had one wonderful woman join us who had never held a paintbrush in her life! Watching her dive into the colour and the process with zero judgment was the ultimate reminder that you’re never too old to start a new chapter.

It wasn’t about making a masterpiece; it was about the laughs, the fresh air, and the bravery of trying something new together.

My heart is so full after seeing these ladies embrace their creative spirits so fully.

Thank you Centre for Muslim Wellbeing for providing this space of expression to the participants.

CreativeWellness YesterdayOnTheBeach

03/05/2026

Empowerment through Inclusion

A few days ago, I attended the Eastern Melbourne Disability Inclusion & Safety Forum. It was an incredibly moving day focused on the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces for everyone in our community.

We heard from amazing speakers like Tara Morrell, Jaweria Khalid, and Nora Adams, who shared powerful reflections on lived experiences and the intersection of disability and culture. From discussing NDIS access with Sam Cheung and Hester Li to exploring culturally responsive practice with teams from inTouch and the Migrant Information Centre, the day was a reminder of why clinical intentionality and active listening are so vital in our work.

I also loved the intentional touches at the venue; like the colouring mandalas and sensory items on every table. As an art therapist, I found it so refreshing to see these tools used to help us stay grounded and present while we listened and learned. It really showed the care that went into making this a safe space for everyone.

A huge thank you to Anglicare Victoria (Box Hill) for bringing us all together for such an important conversation. When we hold space for these personal narratives, we allow for a truly “quiet unfolding” of understanding and support.

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