Kia ora
Ko Leticia tōku ingoa.
He uri o Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga,
o Ngāti Pākehā, nō Italy, England,
Scotland me Ireland.
Nō Te Whanganui-a-Tara ahau.
Kei te noho au ki Onekiritea Point.
I am Leticia(she/they) a neurodivergent artist and creative arts therapist based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
The arts have supported my oranga(well-being), expression, and processing throughout my life. My experiences as a rangitahi made me particularly passionate about rangatiratanga(self-determination) and whakamana(empowerment) in therapeutic spaces.
I felt called to the creative arts therapy profession by my interest in creative mauri and a desire to support other people experiencing the arts for oranga.
Everyone deserves access to the arts and aligned support without barriers.
My Approach
People (and their whānau), are the experts on their own lives and oranga.
I bring additional knowledge, tools for your kete and a supportive presence for exploring through creative processes.
Lived experience informed.
My practice is informed by people with lived experience, research and clinical evidence. I strive to uphold identity affirming environments free from discrimination. My own experiences of mental health challenges and AuDHD also support my approach. All of you is welcome!
Person-centred and integrative.
I adapt my style to suit peoples needs and preferences, I’ve also been trained to work with sensitivity to trauma, diversity and culture.
The social health paradigm.
I acknowledge the impact of social factors on huaora, and the ongoing impact of colonisation and capitalism.
I use holistic health models, like Te Whare Tapa Whā, to support all aspects of oranga.
I’ve been working in creative therapy programs throughout Tāmaki Makaurau since 2018.
In the disability sector, primary schools, adult mental health and community centres with rangatahi.
Selected mahi
Lead Creative Wellbeing Specialist
Breathing Space Charitable Trust
Oct 2022 – April 2025
Arts-based weekly group sessions for māori, pasifika, neurodivergent, rainbow and takatāpui rangatahi experiencing mental health challenges. Sessions involve structured components to encourage resource building, self-reflection and peer connection. For the remaining duration kiritaki follow their intuition through open studio art-making. Participants recieve additional 1:1 support as needed.
Art therapist / Art tutor
Māpura Studios
Feb 2024 – Dec 2024, ongoing as a casual staff member
Classes for adults of all abilities. Therapeutic groups focus on supporting oranga through toi and movement, and Open Studio classes for developing artist practice.
Creative Arts Therapist
Private Practice & ACC SCS
Feb 2023 - Ongoing
Female and gender diverse adults, aged 17-35. Seeking support around mental health challenges, identity related oppression/marginalisation (multiply neurodivergent, disability, LGBTQ), trauma, challenging childhood experiences and experiences of sexual assault.
Assistant Therapist
School Outreach Programmes (DTNZ)
Dec 2019 –Dec 2020
Working with 8 groups of tamariki and rangatahi across 3 schools. Support tailored to histories of trauma, familial abuse, sexual trauma, non-verbal tamariki, rangatahi experiencing parental loss and exploring LGBTTQI+ identities.These creative arts therapy groups drew on various therapeutic approaches such as dance/movement, arts, play, narrative and CBT. Focus on resourcing, self-expression and regulation. Arts, movement and play based processing of emotions and themes of safety, boundaries, connection and finding ‘voice’(expression).
Lead Creative Arts Therapist (Trainee)
DTNZ
Aug 2021 - Jul 2022
Specialty arts therapy groups with multiply neurodivergent rangatahi. Focusing on connection building, skills, sense of self and mana.
Qualifications
Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical) (First Class Honours)
Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design - 2022
Certificate in Dance Movement Therapy
Dance Therapy Training Aotearoa -2020
Bachelor of Visual Arts, Honours
Auckland University of Technology - 2015
Registrations
Professional Member ANZACATA
Sensitive Claims Service ACC
Registered counsellor Victim Support
Professional development
Te Whaariki Hou, Tikanga-Based Practice - 2025
Dance movement therapy Diploma - 2024
Intentional Peer Support - June 2024
Safeguarding children - May 2024
Neurodiversity affirming practice - May 2024
Cultural awareness training - Jan 2024
Trans-Affirming Practice - May 2023
Grief & trauma conference - March 2021
Self directed learning
Decolonising therapy, indigenous approaches to wellbeing, neurodiversity, LGBTTQI+ affirming practice, Internal Family Systems, dissociation and lived experience approaches.