Tracie Shoobert a former Special Education Teacher on the Central Coast uses the arts to advocate for mental health treatment based on her experiences. Within the education sector Tracie used Art therapy with her students who were emotionally and behaviourally disturbed to improve overall mindset, process emotional challenges and behaviours effectively and solidify self-worth. Outcomes using art therapy were positive as it helped to change patterns and limiting beliefs on the mental, emotional, and physical levels of the students and assisted in pinpointing emotional release for deeper healing. Diagnosed in 2018 with Complex PTSD from a workplace injury, she has spent her time traversing the complexities of the insurance companies and workers compensation. Tracie uses art to safely explore trauma and the experiences surrounding it, providing visibility to thoughts and pain, which she uses to chart a timeline to see how her feelings are changing and evolving throughout her recovery.

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