Simone McLees - Art Therapist/Mentor/Support Worker (Albury/Corowa)

Areas of interest:

  • Adolescents

  • Youth mental health

  • Neurodivergence and neuro-affirming practice

  • Mentoring, capacity building

  • Creative arts therapy

  • Group therapy

I'm Simone, an emerging Creative Arts Therapist, and I've recently completed my Bachelor of Creative Arts Psychotherapy. Here at Phoenix Wings I wear a few hats: I'm a support worker and mentor, I help run our creative art-making groups during school term, and I look after our social media and newsletters. Creativity pretty much pours out of me, and I love bringing that into my work.

My focus is mentoring teenagers through the ups and downs of teenagehood. I work with young people aged 14 to 18, and as someone who has worked with a lot of teens, I understand how hard it can be to get through these years, especially when so many people around them are telling them how to live their lives. My role is to see their world the way they see it. Together we can have the hard conversations, whether that's school stress, friendships, identity, big feelings, or working out what comes next, at a pace that feels comfortable for them, without assuming I already know what they need.

My approach is neuro-affirming, which means valuing the different ways young people think, learn and communicate. As someone with ADHD, I spent much of my life feeling like the odd one out without understanding why. I now use it as a strength in my work with other teens with ADHD, autism or other learning differences, whether or not they're formally diagnosed. My motto is start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. Young people don't need to arrive with it all figured out. Together we can build confidence in understanding and managing their own emotions, work out what supports they need, and find where they feel most comfortable.

I've worked with many teens through my eight-week mentoring short course, where we work one-on-one to help them find their feet through teenagehood. Young people have found it a helpful, supportive space to build their confidence and feel more sure of themselves. The program is being refreshed for 2027, and I'm excited to keep developing it with teens.

I also run Phoenix Studios, our creative art-making groups for adolescents and young adults, and I support teenagers and adults through various types of support work. Outside of Phoenix Wings, I founded Create With Kindness, a community craft club that keeps growing each month. It's a welcoming space to connect, create and try accessible creative experiences. You can find out more on Instagram.

When I'm not working, you'll find me in my art room, surrounded by glitter and rhinestones and immersed in a creative project. I'm usually spending time with my dog, Billie, who also pops into the office now and then to say hi to our group participants.

Education and training

Bachelor of Creative Arts Psychotherapy, Ikon Institute of Australia (2026).
Certificate in Art Therapy in Community and Connection (2022).
Currently planning further study in youth mental health.

Availability

Currently available Monday to Friday. To complete an intake for an appointment with Simone or organise a complimentary 30-minute chat to see if she is the right fit for you, fill out the form below or call our reception on (02) 6013 9757.

Cristy Houghton