Staff Profiles
Brad Seaman - Director & CEO
Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience) Hons, Bachelor of Health Science, Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol & Drugs), Diploma of Training & Assessment, Diploma of Community Welfare Work, Cert IV Training & Assessment, Cert IV Small Business Management, Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling (Completing)
Brad has a broad experience in providing VET level training in public and private sectors. He has years of experience providing both professional development and personal leadership training to a range of audiences. Brad has extensive education in community service, health, neuroscience, young people and drug and alcohol issues.
Simon Paul – Director & Head of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Bachelor of Commerce, Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling, Diploma of Community Welfare, Cert IV Training & Assessment.
Simon is a trained counsellor and has extensive experience in counselling private practice, and also the commercial and youth training sectors. He has provided VET level accredited training as well as a series of tailored Professional Development training programs throughout South Australia. He is now operating as a director of the IKON
Institute of SA.
Glenda Needs – Head of Creative Therapies
Masters of Disability, Bachelor of Arts in Drama and English, Graduate Diploma of Creative Arts Therapy, Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience, Certificate IV in Business Management.
Glenda Needs has been using the Arts therapeutically for almost 15 years and completed her Post Graduate Arts Therapy training at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Glenda has extensive background in multimodal Arts Therapy, both with diverse client populations and in an educational role. She has an academic and practical background in drama, art, neuroscience, disability, counselling, clinical supervision, paediatric psycho-social palliative care and art therapy. Glenda worked for many years in her own busy Art Therapy practice, providing both private and organization funded consultations. She also established the Art Therapy program at the Women's and Children's Hospital in South Australia and worked as the head art therapist in Paediatric Palliative Care. Glenda loves seaside camping holidays, and accompanying her children and her grandchildren to galleries and live theatre. Glenda particularly likes rainy weekend afternoons where she can pick up a paint brush and "make a mess" of a canvas.
Sally Holmes - State Co-Ordinator & Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy, WA
MA Drama Therapy, ECU; Diploma Transpersonal Art Therapy; BA English Lit, UWA; Diploma of Directing, East 15 Acting School, London; Certificate in Advanced Theory and Practice (Art Therapy), Art Process Works; Certificate in Group Facilitation.
Sally Holmes is a working Creative Arts Therapist with training and experience in Art, Drama and Sandplay Therapy. She is also an experienced teacher and group facilitator.
Sally has worked as a Creative Arts therapist/Drug and Alcohol Counsellor at Women’s Health and Family Services for the past 7 years. Here, in addition to one to one Art Therapy, she has run many Creative Arts groups. She has also worked at both women’s prisons, Bandyup and Boronia, doing similar work.
She is now predominantly focusing on her work with IKON Institute, in addition to her private practice.
Lisa Duggan - State Co-ordinator & Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy, QLD
Masters Art Therapy (current), Grad Dip Art Therapy, Adv Dip Holistic Counselling, Dip Yoga & Meditation (Dru Yoga teacher), Dip Astrology, Cert IV Training & Assessment, Cert Sandplay, Reiki
Lisa is an experienced expressive art therapist, counsellor and educator. Lisa has gained multiple skills as an allied health professional working in Respite Care and Residential Aged Care. Lisa runs a thriving practice in Brisbane, specialising in working with individuals and couples in the areas of anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and life transitions. She adopts a range of therapeutic approaches and techniques to initiate insight and facilitate change and where applicable, integrates yoga and mindfulness practice into her art therapy sessions with clients. Drawing on a corporate background Lisa also designs and facilitates mental health programmes for the workplace. Lisa is inspired to bring forth simplistic methods for creating positive change.
Belinda Ryan - Lecturer, Transpersonal Counselling & Dip of Counselling, SA
DipAT BA(CommStud) MSocSc(CounsStud)Belinda is a qualified Art Therapist and Counsellor having studied a Communications Degree and Masters in Social Sciences (Counselling Studies) at University of South Australia as well as Transpersonal Counselling and Art Therapy at IKON.
Bel has worked for over 13 years in varying psychosocial roles in the Education, Health and Not for profit sectors. She has worked extensively with Adolescents where she has developed and facilitated numerous programs allowing participants to reflect on their life, ultimately providing a holistic approach to wellbeing.
Belinda has an understanding of the issues that face people in crisis, as well as having a variety of strategies to support, motivate and guide. Her warm and friendly manner guides clients to develop a better understanding of themselves, build resilience and become empowered in their own life.
Complimenting her teaching of the Transpersonal Art Therapy and Diploma of Counselling at IKON, Bel is currently an Art Therapist in Paediatric Palliative Care at the Womens and Childrens Hospital as well as having her own private practice ‘Ignite Art Therapies’.
Alexsandra White - Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy, SA
Alexsandra has experienced a deep, varied, and spiritual life journey. A love of all things creative and artistic sits alongside her rich background in Transpersonal Art Therapy and Education. As a Therapist she brings a gentle approach with empathy within a safe space. She always feels honored to witness a client’s journey and to be a resource in their healing. She believes we hold answers within and sometimes need support to access them.
Alexsandra is also an enthusiastic Teacher/Trainer and has been educating adults, children and their families for over 25 years. As a Consultant she delivers Professional Development Workshops and training to Educators, parents, or anyone who is looking at expanding their knowledge on a range of different topics.
She is highly versatile educator with a holistic approach, and this is demonstrated in her range of work as a Transpersonal Art Therapist/ Teacher, Trainer/Consultant, Childcare/ Preschool/ Primary Teacher, and Special/Additional Needs Teacher. Alexsandra also brings her experience and passion as an Artist to her teaching.
Her passions include enjoying all aspects of Art, Painting, Music & Music festivals, Travelling & exploring inner worlds, Movies, Storytelling, Sacred poetry, Philosophy and Transpersonal Psychology, Working with Children, the Beach, Food, Family & Friendship, Personal growth and a love of Lifelong learning.
Jaime Grace Machado - Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy, QLD
"Psychology Degree, Diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy, frequency of Gestalt and Psychosynthesis course, Certificate in ACT, Certificate in Voice Dialogue, Certificate Regression Therapy, Family Constellations, Certificate in Reiki and several courses in Shamanism and Hero's Journey.
Jaime is a transpersonal explorer, with many years of experience in business training & consulting, educating and private psychotherapy practice, creating a healing blend utilising shamanism, hero's journey, voice dialogue, archetypal work and rituals. Jaime is also a trainer and workshop leader in Tarot Meditations and Kabbalah Constellations. After a 2 year journey around the world through different cultures he is very interested in Tarot and photography to explore archetypal themes in Art Therapy for personal development, state change and deep healing.
Jannie Olsen Leach – Lecturer, Art Therapy, QLD
Masters MH (Art Psychotherapy) AThR, Bachelor of Batchelor of Social Work, Diploma in Creative Arts an Design, Diplomas in Holistic Therapies , Cert IV Workplace Training, Cert. Single Session Therapy, Cert. supervisor, Cert. Friends for Life provider.
Jannie is a mother, art psychotherapist, artist, advanced social worker, clinical specialist and educator. She has many years of experience working within government and private sectors with families, children and adolescences in Denmark, Germany, Israel, USA, England and Australia. Jannie works as an advanced clinical specialist and art psychotherapist with the Child Development Program in the Children’s Health Service District of Queensland Health. She provides art psychotherapy to children and families from a systemic family centred perspective from her own practice in Paddington as well as lecture in the diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy with IKON. She has several experiences with conference presentations and workshops as well as written papers and book chapter. Jannie loves being with her family and friends, has a great love for beach life, art, books, travelling, movies and listening to people with great stories about life.
Tessa Wylde - Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy, WA
MA Art Therapy, ECU; Graduate Diploma of Arts Therapy ECU; Diploma Transpersonal Counselling; BA Fine Arts, DIP Steiner Education, CERT Performing Art,
Tessa Wylde is an Art Therapist currently working with IKON Institute as a teacher and group facilitator in Transpersonal Art Therapy in WA, also a Coordinator of an Art Studio called CATA, Tessa works with adults living with disabilities. With the support of a great team of staff and volunteers, Tessa is helping to develop programs and activities that inspire potential in individuals.
Russya Connor - Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy, WA
BA. MA (Drama Therapy). PACFA Reg.
A registered drama therapist who also specializes in bodywork, movement and creative expression, Russya has worked extensively as an actor , performer and therapist in Europe and Australia. With clinical experience in the drug and alcohol sector working with children and adults, Russya has delivered drama therapy training at non-government agencies, maintains her own practice and lectures in contemporary performance at WAAPA. She is also a PHD candidate.
Vivian Paans - Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy, WA
Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy
Vivian is a mixed media artist, transpersonal art therapist and lecturer in Art Therapy with IKON who became initially drawn to Art Therapy through her role as a workshop facilitator.
With a strong connection to the shamanic approach of healing, her experience encompases self-discovery, personal growth workshops and group developments, which tend to hold a strong spiritual element. Vivian has travelled extensively and learned many things from being immersed in various cultures, which she brings with her into every encounter.
Vivian also works as art therapist for the Women's Health Works "Love Your Tree" project, whilst operating her private practice in the Perth Hills.
She has seen first hand how creating art and the keeping of art journals in itself cannot only be an invaluable healing tool but also be used as a preventive measure.
Vivian is currently studying Psychology and Youth Work.