FOUNDATION:
HOW I WORK
At the centre of my work is a simple belief: creativity is one of the most honest ways we make sense of being human.
I create spaces where art becomes a way to notice what's present, to explore your inner experience with care, and sit with complexity without rushing to fix it.
My approach honours emotional life without overwhelming it. I work with you to develop greater clarity, more choice in how you respond, and more compassion for what you're navigating.
This work meets you as a whole person, capable of insight, growth, and responsibility for your own life.
The aim isn't transformation for its own sake. It's the ability to live with more presence, and move through what you're experiencing with care.
Cāyu (chAA-yu), from the Sanskrit, meaning awe and respect.
“We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are”
― Anaïs Nin ―
WHAT IS TRANSPERSONAL CREATIVE PRACTICE?
Transpersonal creative practice works with the psychological, emotional, and existential dimensions of human experience, including moments that feel larger than the individual self. It draws from transpersonal psychology, which expands beyond behaviour and cognition to include questions of meaning, consciousness, and inner life.
In practice, art making becomes a way to notice what's present, explore symbolic material, and gain perspective without relying only on words or analysis. The focus isn't on artistic skill. It's on using image, metaphor, and creative reflection as tools for insight.
Creative work gives access to material that's difficult to put into language. Symbols, shapes, and images surface emotional and psychological themes in ways that feel contained and workable.
The result is grounded self-understanding, nervous system regulation, and a clearer sense of what matters, with more choice in how you respond to it.
1:1 SESSIONS
Transpersonal creative practice works with the emotional, psychological, and meaning-making dimensions of human experience, including periods of transition and uncertainty.
Sessions use creative process and reflection to explore what's happening beneath the surface. Art making offers a way to work with inner experience, symbol, and insight without relying solely on words or analysis. No artistic skill is required.
Images and visual expression often allow themes to emerge that are difficult to put into language. This supports clarity, emotional literacy, and a more flexible relationship to thoughts and emotions, and helps regulate the nervous system.
The work is grounded and ethically held. People often develop a steadier sense of what matters as they learn to navigate challenges with more awareness and choice.
GROUP SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS
Group sessions offer a structured space to explore inner experience alongside others, through guided creative process and reflection.
Themes vary and may include self-reflection, life transitions, creative blocks, stress, or working with symbolic material such as dreams. Sessions combine creative practice with reflection to support awareness, perspective, and meaningful insight.
No artistic skill is required. You share only what feels right for you.
Group work offers the added benefit of witnessing and being witnessed, normalising difficult experiences within a held container.
Upcoming offerings are shared through the Cāyu newsletter.
1:1 ONLINE SESSIONS
RETREAT OFFERINGS
Online sessions offer a flexible and accessible way to work one-to-one from wherever you are, held via Zoom.
Sessions use creative process and guided reflection to explore what's happening beneath the surface. Art making offers a way to work with inner experience, symbol, and insight without relying solely on words or analysis. No artistic skill is required.
Images and visual expression often allow themes to emerge that are difficult to put into language. This supports clarity, emotional literacy, and nervous system regulation, and a steadier sense of what matters.
The work is grounded, confidential, and fully held. Working online doesn't diminish the quality of the container. The approach remains intimate, relational, and focused throughout.
Retreat-based work takes two forms.
The first is bespoke retreat design, a fully co-created experience built from scratch with you, your venue, or your organisation.
These are immersive, purposefully designed containers that combine creative process, somatic practice, and guided reflection into a coherent arc. Each one is original, shaped entirely around the people it's for and the experience you want to create.
The second is existing workshop offerings, designed to integrate into retreat programs as standalone sessions or as part of a longer journey.
Both draw on the same foundations: expressive arts, transpersonal practice, nervous system awareness, and a deep respect for the intelligence of the creative process.
No artistic skill or experience is required.
If you're building something and want a collaborator who can hold both the vision and the room, get in touch.
NATURE IMMERSIONS - 1:1 SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS IN NATURE
One-to-one sessions and group workshops held in coastal and forest settings around Byron Bay.
Nature is not a backdrop here. It is an active part of the process.
Working outdoors shifts attention, opens the senses, and allows something different to emerge than what's possible indoors.
Sessions combine creative and reflective practice within the natural environment. Availability is limited and seasonal. Reach out to find out what's current.
GET IN TOUCH
Whether you have questions, are curious about the process, or are ready to begin, reach out. I'm happy to discuss how we might work together.
Email: naomi@cayu.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Q / Do I need any prior experience with art?
A / None at all. The focus is entirely on process, not outcome. You don't need to make anything good, you just need to be willing to make something. All levels of experience are welcome.
Q / How is this different from therapy or an art class?
A / Transpersonal creative practice uses art making and reflection to explore inner experience, develop clarity, and support meaningful change. It draws on transpersonal psychology, somatic awareness, and the intelligence of the creative process. The focus is on what emerges through making, not on skill or diagnosis. Curiosity and a willingness to engage honestly with yourself is enough.
Q / Do I need to be going through something difficult to work with you?
A / No. Some people come during periods of transition or uncertainty, or even creative blocks. Others come because they want more depth, more creativity, or more connection to themselves. The work meets you where you are.
Q / What are the cancellation policies?
A / Cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance receive a full credit. If something unexpected comes up, get in touch and we'll work it out.
Q / How do I book a nature session or workshop?
A / For nature sessions, get in touch directly and I'll share current availability. For workshops, these are available for groups of eight or more, run for two hours, and can be held in nature, online, or at your studio. I travel to you. Current workshop offerings are listed on the workshops page.
I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands that we are meeting here today. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to the lands and waters of NSW.