Building Confidence Through Art: Victoria Sebatli’s Transformative Therapy Programme

How one dedicated social worker’s innovative approach, supported by Casual Day’s broader funding, transforms lives through creative expression in Free State

In a bright, welcoming room at APD Free State, paintbrushes dance across a canvas as women with intellectual disabilities discover their voices through colour and creativity. Leading this remarkable transformation is Victoria Sebatli, a dedicated social worker who, despite using a wheelchair, brings unrivalled warmth and expertise to her pioneering art therapy program.

Victoria’s innovative eight-week initiative represents a breakthrough in social and personal development, carefully designed for women selected from APD’s broader community of outreaches. Her program targets those who could benefit from assistance with building self-confidence, developing interpersonal skills, and following structured instructions—challenges that traditional therapy methods often struggle to address effectively.

The Art of Structured Creativity

Victoria’s methodology demonstrates profound understanding of how persons with intellectual disabilities thrive. “Her approach demonstrates a deep understanding of how art and structured activities can serve as powerful tools for personal development, particularly in building confidence and fostering positive relationships among participants,” notes a colleague observing her sessions.

Each weekly gathering begins with established rituals—warm greetings, familiar seating arrangements, and consistent opening activities. This predictable framework creates the comfortable environment essential for participants to explore creative expression without anxiety or confusion.

“Persons with intellectual disabilities thrive on routine and consistent engagement,” explains Victoria, whose wheelchair never impedes her ability to move seamlessly between participants, offering guidance, encouragement, and gentle instruction. Her physical presence at participants’ level often creates more intimate, accessible communication than standing instructors might achieve.

Breaking Barriers Through Brushstrokes

The transformation within Victoria’s art therapy sessions extends far beyond technical skill development. Participants who initially struggled with basic social interactions now engage confidently with peers, sharing materials, offering compliments, and celebrating each other’s achievements.

One participant, initially reluctant to speak during group activities, now eagerly describes her artistic choices and seeks feedback from others. Another, who previously avoided eye contact, proudly displays her finished pieces and explains her creative process to visitors.

Victoria’s structured yet creative approach incorporates art as a medium for expression and growth, with each session building upon previous achievements. Her methodology recognises that artistic creation provides a safe space for emotional expression, communication development, and confidence building that traditional talking therapies might not reach.

Professional Excellence in Action

Victoria’s commitment to professional standards sets her programs apart from recreational activities. Her thoughtful documentation process includes comprehensive pre-intervention assessments, ongoing monitoring during sessions, and detailed post-session reporting that ensures continuity of care.

This meticulous approach enables future social workers to build upon her foundation, creating sustainable support systems that extend far beyond individual programme cycles. Her detailed records track not just artistic progress but also social interaction improvements, confidence development, and interpersonal skill enhancement.

A colleague observes that Victoria remains committed to maintaining momentum in her group’s progress, even when routine disruptions arise. This dedication ensures that temporary setbacks—illness, facility changes, or external disruptions—never derail participants’ development trajectories.

The Casual Day Foundation

Victoria’s transformative program exists because of Casual Day’s annual fundraising efforts, which provide essential funding for innovative therapeutic services, art supplies, a dedicated space, and professional social worker salaries. Without this crucial support, creative therapies like Victoria’s would remain dreams rather than life-changing realities.

Casual Day donations enable APD Free State to employ qualified social workers like Victoria, purchase art materials, maintain appropriate therapeutic spaces, and provide the wraparound services that make program participation possible—including accessible transportation for participants and family support services.

Beyond Art: Building Life Skills

The program’s impact extends to the participants’ daily lives. Women who develop confidence through artistic expression begin asserting themselves in other settings—requesting assistance when needed, expressing preferences more clearly, and engaging more actively with family members and carers.

Victoria’s sessions teach following instructions through creative projects, develop fine motor skills through paintbrush control, and enhance communication through discussing artistic choices. These skills transfer directly into improved independence and social functioning beyond the therapy room.

Measuring Transformation

Pre- and post-programme assessments reveal remarkable improvements across multiple development areas. Participants show increased verbal communication, enhanced social interaction, improved task completion, and higher self-confidence levels. These measurable outcomes demonstrate that Victoria’s program delivers genuine therapeutic value, not merely recreational activities.

Family members report positive changes at home—increased willingness to try new activities, improved communication attempts, and greater social engagement during family gatherings.

Support Creative Transformation

This September, support Casual Day and become part of Victoria’s expanding impact. Your contribution funds innovative therapeutic programs, professional social worker salaries, art supplies, and accessible facilities that make creative transformation possible.

Visit casualday.co.za to register your organisation or make a direct donation. Help ensure that programs like Victoria’s continue to build confidence, foster creativity, and transform lives through art.

Support Casual Day 2025—where creativity meets transformation.