About

Based in Naarm, Melbourne.

Life Spirals started running cuddle events in 2023. Cuddle events are spaces to learn about platonic touch, consent, communication, boundaries, and wellbeing. This was a response to seeing a need in the community to have spaces to connect, to learn the skills of consent and importantly practice them, self-reflect and increase self-awareness, learn together in compassion, and learn to re-engage (for some) after prolonged social isolation from lockdowns experienced in Melbourne. Loneliness and social isolation are recognised as public health concerns, and it is hoped that cuddle events can be a place of connection.

There are also other ‘pop up’ creative art workshops. Examples of creative arts events held include Introduction to Sandplay, Holistic Life Skills, Storytelling, Touch Drawing, Labyrinths, Nature Mandalas.

Life Spirals started in 2010 by running individual counselling sessions using holistic and creative arts modalities, professional development workshops, and ran community programs.

Nine small images of children playing with the medical equipment with dolls and teddy bears during an incursion at a kindergarten.

Photo credit: Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning blog

Life Spirals successfully ran the Hospital Familiarisation Incursion program for early childhood settings for 10 years in Melbourne from 2010-2020. The program was play-based for children ranging in ages of 2-5 years old that allowed them to gain a child-friendly and developmentally appropriate understanding of what may happen if you need to visit a hospital. It provided a gentle introduction to simple medical terms, and commonly used equipment. Through role play they could explore being a patient or health professional. Feedback was given of children who subsequently visited a hospital being prepared and supported by the knowledge obtained in the incursion, which helped to influence a positive hospital experience. Personally, it gave opportunity to find balance in work/home life, and balance in working as a child life therapist in hospital and out in the community.

Tash is proudly the first child life therapist in Australia who self-employed and worked independently in the community outside of the healthcare system part-time. Whilst doing this she was also working for Peninsula Health for 12 years in allied health as an Child Life Therapist.

 

 

Natasha Hund (she/her)

Tash is a play specialist, holistic counsellor, cuddle professional and labyrinth facilitator.  Tash has worked for over 20 years in educational, community, and healthcare settings working in the public healthcare service and local council. Her professional roles have included working as a child life therapist (former title educational play therapist), parenting support & supported playgroup facilitator, kindergarten assistant, professional development provider and workshop facilitator. She has even been a professional storytelling fairy!

*Current Working With Children Check*


Qualifications

  • GradDip Play Specialty (University of Western Sydney)
  • BA Fine Arts (Monash University)
  • Dip Holistic Counselling (Sophia College)
  • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment- current

Other Professional Trainings

  • Certified Cuddle Event Leader (Cuddle Sanctuary)
  • Like a Pro (School of Consent)
  • Certified Labyrinth Facilitator (Veriditas)

Trainings in the expressive arts of sandplay therapy, sensorimotor art therapy (initiatic art therapy and clay field therapy), storytelling, mandalas, labyrinths, touch drawing.


Professional Memberships

  • Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
  • International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT)
  • Association of Child Life Therapists Australia -Associate (ACLTA)

(2008-2020 ACTLA Professional Member, 2012-15 ACTLA elected treasurer, newsletter, social media & website updates, webinar coordinator for professional development sessions)

Skip to content