Art Therapy helps support individuals dealing with anxiety, trauma, depression, illness, developmental disabilities, grief, loss, relationships, self-esteem, or the search for meaning in life.
Art Therapy combines psychotherapeutic techniques with the creative process to facilitate healing and personal growth. The act of creating is an inherently cathartic and liberating one. When this is done in a safe and controlled environment, it opens up the opportunity for a deep communication with the Art Therapist and expression on a symbolic and subconscious level.
Depending on the context, the Art Therapist might encourage spontaneous creation or suggest a more directed activity. The artwork then becomes the impetus for discussion and exploration. The Art Therapist does not make assumptions as each person’s artwork carries with it an entire lifetime’s worth of individuality, symbolism, and uniqueness.
There is something so profound in seeing the unseen. As an Art Therapist I bear witness to this unfolding. The unseen sometimes has no words, but simply resides in images or metaphor. When it emerges, it begins to exist in a different way. When something is perceptible, you can begin to relate to it. Communication can happen. When communication happens, so does connection and understanding.
What I love most about Art Therapy is the belief there is no right way and no wrong way to create something. There is only your way. When you are able to expose yourself, safely unmasking all those complications we hide behind, it is possible, through becoming visible, to allow validation and individuality, authenticity and growth to happen. And there is a moment of profound wonder in that vulnerable moment when the disguise is removed. I am in admiration of what wisdom the unconscious mind holds.
Sessions can be offered to individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Psychotherapy
heal. feel. flourish.
Our histories and experiences govern why we act in certain ways, why we feel the way we feel, and why we sometimes cannot stop or change thoughts that flood into our heads. Most of the time we don't stop and think about these things. But sometimes these thoughts and feelings and behaviours begin to feel as though they are not serving us or causing us significant emotional pain.
Psychotherapy involves exploring these issues by talking with a therapist, who is both objective and non-judgemental, and who can help guide you to a place of deep understanding, self-compassion, and healthier ways of being. My work is eclectic and is always guided by the needs of each individual. My training includes CBT, DBT, attachment-based interventions, Narrative Therapy, trauma-informed practice, writing as therapy, and more.
I am committed to ongoing professional development and collaboration with other health care professionals, and I have presented my work at conferences and workshops, locally and abroad. Professional affiliations include CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists) and CATA (Canadian Art Therapy Association).