I employ a Daoist approach to the Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy framework developed by Paolo Knill. The concept of de-centering—which invites individuals to move beyond habitual thinking and enter the unknown through aesthetic experience—resonates deeply with the Daoist principle of wu-wei (effortless action). Together they open facilitation pathways for meaning and insight to emerge intuitively, attuning the client/participant to the natural rhythms of creative flow. As part of this, I incorporate aspects of Qigong into my work—drawing on its meditative movements and energetic awareness to help regulate the nervous system, deepen somatic connection, and foster personal development.

Through my integrative practice, I hold space for processes that are both subtle and profound. Sessions and workshops become liminal containers—safe yet sacred transitional spaces—where insight is not imposed but gently revealed through deep listening and alignment with an individual’s natural energetic flow.

As an actor and movement artist, I have worked for over two decades across theatre, film, animation, voiceover, and corporate training in the US, Southeast Asia, and most recently, the UK. My personal arts practice draws deeply from Butoh and approaches performance as ritual—where the unseen and ancestral can be embodied and transformed through breath, gesture, and presence.

As co-Artistic Director of Esthetika, I work alongside my husband and creative partner, Jay, to develop immersive environments and innovative arts experiences that adapt to diverse contexts and resonate deeply with communities, ignite personal creativity, expand play-range, and support artistic and somatic exploration.

In my role as a theatre consultant, I support artists and organizations through production development, thematic refinement, and embodied dramaturgy—ensuring coherence between vision, process, and impact.

Together, the dimensions of my work create a space where ancient wisdom and contemporary practices inform and enrich one another. Whether through performance, embodied facilitation, or collaborative creation, I aim to nurture environments that invite transformation, awaken intuition, and allow meaning to unfold through presence, creativity, and connection.

Expressive Arts Therapy Experience

I am honoured to have worked with: our elders with major neurocognitive disorder (MND), adults with generalised learning disabilities, refugee and asylum-seeking children, mother-child ethnic minority dyads, children with neurodiversity, stroke survivors; students navigating academic stress, and with millennials to strengthen personal identity in adulthood.

Acting Experience

My theatre credits include: Portia from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at the Lambs Inc, New York, directed by Nathan Darrow and Kevin Spacey in 2008; Honey Suckle in the World premiere of Peach Blossom Fan at REDCAT Los Angeles, directed by Chen Shi-Zheng. Film credits include: Shu, from the latest Chris Nahon film Lady Bloodfight produced by Voltage Pictures where I trained in martial arts with renowned fight choreographer: Hung Yan Yan (Xing Xin Xin); Voice credits include: Zoe from Dream Defenders, released on HULU (full acting resume upon request). Corporate training experience includes working with prominent clients such as HSBC, Morgan Stanley, Royal College of Psychiatry, National Grid, and ARVAL through the companies DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE and INTERACTION. My expertise covers topics such as Diversity and Inclusion, Executive Communications, Hard Conversations, and 'Career and Feedback’ Conversations. I am familiar with a range of techniques including forum theatre, realplay, roleplay, process and playback theatre, and improvisation to achieve effective outcomes.

Education and Training

Post Graduate Education and professional Training

• Master of Expressive Arts Therapy (Distinction) – The University of Hong Kong, 2019

• Certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher – School of Positive Transformation (CPD Accredited), 2021

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) – University of Massachusetts Medical School model, 8-week program, 2020

• Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) – Mind Hong Kong, 2019

Health & Wellbeing Coaching Certification

• Certified Health and Wellbeing Coach – Raw Horizon Academy, 2024 (Accredited by The Association for Coaching and NHS Personalised Care Institute)

Qigong & Internal Arts Training

• Tai Chi & Qigong Instructor Certification – Tai Chi, Qigong and Feng Shui Institute, Hong Kong (expected completion Sep.’25)

• ZhiNeng Qigong Advanced Higher-Level Teacher Training - Master Zhu Conghua, China (expected completion Dec.’25)

• ZhiNeng Qigong (ongoing practice ) - Simon Clarke, Bath, UK.

• Tai Chi Chuan Chen Style (ongoing practice) - Simon Darnton, Bath, UK.

• Tai Chi Chuan Yang Style – 450+ hours with Sherry Tschernisch, California Institute of the Arts, USA, 2001-2005.

Undergraduate Education and Training

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Acting -California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Los Angeles, California, USA, 2005

Acting: Mary Lou Rosato, Craig Belknap, Marissa Chibas, Mark Lamar Stewart (Stew)

Voice (Linklater Technique – 540+ hours): Fran Bennett, Natsuko Ohama, Irene Connors

Speech: Denise Woods, Dwight Baquie

Movement & Somatic Practice: Marvin Tuney, Heather Ehlers, Sherry Tschernisch

Professional Registrations and Associations

The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)

Registered Creative Arts Therapist (AThR).

Membership Number: 51060058

International Meditation and Mindfulness Alliance (IMMA)

Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Balens - Expressive Arts Therapy, Meditation and Mindfulness teaching and facilitation (includes moving meditations), Health and Wellbeing Coaching.