About The Curiosity Space

Our Story

Ashlee and Adam co-founded The Curiosity Space as a hub where ideas and values can be practiced to give a home to a different therapeutic experience.

It was borne out of encounters with many clients who described to us that their previous experiences of therapy, while very helpful at building their insight and awareness of their concerns, never adequately addressed their emotional experience. They were able to begin to understand why they feel the way that they do... but still feel stuck with little release!

At The Curiosity Space, we try to be more holistic in our approach. We recognise the impacts of structural and institutional power dynamics on the person, and the ways that many common therapeutic approaches fail to acknowledge (or even recreate) the stigmas and injustices that some of us face.

We want to expand the range of evidence-informed therapeutic approaches available, recognising that "Gold Standard" therapies don't necessarily work for every client. Expressive therapies, neuroaffective approaches, and Nature therapies are just some of the empirical evidence bases that we draw from at The Curiosity Space.

Two people, Ashlee Bennett and Adam Park, standing in front of a brick wall smiling towards the camera.

Meet The Team

A woman with long blonde hair in a green dress with white flower prints, smiling at the camera.

Ashlee Bennett, AThR

Co-founder and art psychotherapist

A man with short brown hair and round glasses, dressed in a light blue shirt, smiling at the camera.

Adam Park, MCouns

Co-founder and psychotherapist

You wouldn't be alone if you were wondering what art psychotherapy is. Part of my work as an art therapist is clarifying what it is and isn't (hint: not an art class nor does it require talent) and educating on the benefits of leaning into a creative approach to therapy.

During an art therapy session you can expect some of the familiarities of a talk based therapy session - warmth, professionalism, non-judgement and evidence-informed treatment approaches tailored to your needs. The introduction of art prompts and art materials may occur in the first session, or be something we gently work towards.

I see art therapy as complimentary to more traditional talk therapies and evidence shows therapeutic benefits may be experienced most for those with complex trauma and related mental health issues.

My approach to therapy is trauma-informed and humanistic. I have extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders/disordered eating, body image issues, anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD and complex trauma. I practice from a weight inclusive, Health At Every Size approach and educate on this topic online via Instagram (The Body Image Therapist) and through my first book The Art of Body Acceptance. If you are a practitioner, I offer coaching, mentoring and training at bodyimage-therapist.com.

My qualifications:

Master of Art Therapy, Latrobe University, Melbourne
Graduate Diploma of Applied Science (Research), Latrobe University, Melbourne
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), University of Melbourne, Victorian College of The Arts

Currently I am at capacity for individual sessions and have a waitlist for new clients. I also run a range of in person and online groups and workshops throughout the year. Click here to see what's coming up.

My approach to counselling and recovery coaching is conversational and grounded in the relationship that develops between us. It is collaborative, curious, and flexible, and always guided by your changing needs.

I provide a professional space in which you can feel safe and unconditionally supported to explore what’s been going on for you and figure out how to get a handle on it.

I use an eclectic mix of evidence-informed treatment approaches that are tailored to your qualities and your needs. My philosophical approach is Humanistic, seeking the strengths within you and trusting unquestionably that we will find what you need to succeed.

I follow a trauma-informed framework that respects the intuition of your body-mind and frequently check in with you about what is working and what might not be. I try to maximise your choice and participation in the process.

My work and training background is in the field of Rehabilitation Counselling, assisting people to adjust and adapt to chronic illness, injury, or disability and return to work, and providing case management.

With further training, I am now working with more general mental health concerns as well. I have a particular interest in attachment wounds and trauma resulting from childhood abuse and emotional neglect.

My qualifications:

Master of Counselling, Monash University, Melbourne
Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies, Latrobe University, Melbourne
BHSci in Rehabilitation case management, Latrobe University, Melbourne
Level 2 Certificate in Emotionally-Focused Individual Therapy, Brisbane Centre for EFT

I am a Level 2 Practicing Member of the Australian Counselling Association.

Make an Appointment

Adam

Ashlee