About Me

I’m Kate Finnila—an Artist, Creator, and Registered Creative Arts Therapist & Teacher. Heart Garden reflects both my professional skills and my personal experience: using creativity as a way to feel supported, to grow, and to find meaning in life’s changing seasons.

I hold a Master’s in Mental Health (Art Therapy) and have over 15 years of experience across education, health, and community settings.

My Journey

• Artist – my foundation has always been in creating. Art has been both my personal healing practice and the wellspring for the programs and spaces I now offer. 

• Clinical Therapist – working in hospitals, including the Queensland Children’s Hospital, and as a Senior Therapist in an Eating Disorder Day Program, supporting children, young people, and families through some of their most challenging seasons.

• Wellbeing Coordinator – developing and implementing wellbeing groups and providing individual counselling across both primary and high school at an independent school.

• Registered Teacher – teaching in early years and primary education, as well as supporting children with special needs and neurodiverse students.

• Community Practice – designing art-based programs, contributing to exhibitions, and running workshops that bring creativity and connection into everyday life. My practice has also been informed by living in remote indigenous communities and cross cultural experiences of running art programs in Southern Africa.

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Qualifications

• Masters in Mental Health (Art Therapy) UQ

• BA(Visual Arts & Behv Sc).Grad Dip Edu(Early Years), MMH(Art Therapy) AThR

• Ongoing professional development interests include attachment theory, trauma-informed practice, nature based healing

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My Approach 

I believe creativity offers a gentle yet powerful way to reconnect with strengths, make meaning from experiences, and nurture growth.

Like a garden, healing and change move in cycles—sometimes slow, sometimes surprising, but always possible with the right care. My sessions are person-centred and strength-based, trauma-informed, offering support and a safe, nurturing environment where you can explore freely and build your own inner resources.

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Beyond Work 

When I’m not in the studio, you’ll usually find me painting, illustrating, or walking in nature with my family. These simple, creative moments remind me that, like a garden, life flourishes when we take time to tend it with care.

Heart Garden is my way of sharing that possibility with you—so you can feel supported to nourish, plant, and grow your own heart garden in whatever season you’re in.

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