How Karl Raams Was Able to Use Art Therapy to Aid Riverland Region Residents

Introduction

Karl Raams (they/them) has a personal history with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. This experience inspired them to launch a business, Phoenix Arts & Mind, focusing on supporting people through art therapy. With the help of the IntoJobs Self Employment Assistance program, supported by Mas National, Karl has successfully started their business and is now making a difference in their community.

The Challenge

Karl Raams battled with depression and anxiety throughout their high school years. While they received help through counselling and other mental health professionals, they did not connect with traditional therapy. Karl discovered art therapy during their university studies, finding it to be a more collaborative and therapeutic approach. “I found art therapy very collaborative, therapeutic, and helpful – you’re not just creating art but it gives you a safer way to process mental health because not everyone wants to talk about what’s going on, they would rather show it,” Karl said.

The Solution

Karl used the IntoJobs Self Employment Assistance program, supported by Mas National, in Berri, in the Riverland region, to help launch their business. “The IntoJobs team were able to help me out with a financial plan for the business, which really helped me understand what value I needed to put on my services. While I have my Master of Art Therapy and Bachelor in Counselling, I have no business background, so going through the program made me comfortable enough to start my own business,” Karl said.

The Self Employment Assistance program, delivered by IntoJobs and supported by Mas National (both part of the IntoWork Group), offers practical and confidential guidance and support on all aspects of starting and running a small business. This includes coaching, registering business names, website domains, business plan development, health checks, setting up an ABN, and financial, marketing, and strategic advice. The services are designed to offer maximum flexibility and are tailored to individual business needs, with training delivered by highly qualified and experienced business coaches across various industry and service-based professions.

The Results

Karl’s business, Phoenix Arts & Mind, addresses a significant need in the community, particularly focusing on older people and adults. “The biggest demographic for art therapy is normally women in their 30s to 50s, but I’m also experienced with the aged care sector. Art therapy can be very helpful for people with dementia. Their stories are often confused with them jumping through different time periods, but art therapy gives them a way of keeping it all connected,” Karl said.

Even during the pandemic, people started realising the therapeutic benefits of art. “Art therapy doesn’t work for everyone, but I think it can help a lot more people than just traditional talk therapy. Sometimes, there is such a variety in art therapy that it can be more effective. In a way, it’s less reliant on the therapist having all medical answers and is more about the therapist providing a safe environment for the client to explore, share, and grow,” Karl added.

Conclusion

IntoJobs Business Navigator Stephen Chapple praised Karl’s progress, saying, “Karl is very passionate about helping people through their mental health journey. They have shown great progress in their business as a young entrepreneur, and I cannot wait to see their business expand even more.”

Karl is excited to expand art therapy to regional areas in the next six months. “I look forward to creating an opportunity for others to express, work on, and explore their own well-being, self-care, and mental health, in a way that isn’t readily available in many regional areas. I am pleased to be adding to the growing mental health services in the Riverland,” Karl said.

Karl’s journey from battling mental health issues to becoming a successful entrepreneur is a testament to the power of determination and the right support. Their story inspires others to pursue their passions and make a positive impact in their communities.