What is
Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a unique therapeutic technique that combines psychotherapy and art-making. Within a safe environment alongside a therapeutic relationship, art therapy allows challenging thoughts, emotions, and experiences to be explored, voiced, and processed creatively.
Conventional thought is largely verbal based, calling upon language, logic, and reasoning. In contrast, we use imagination, intuition, and feeling to create art. In terms of human development, the mind of a child is not as “language or logic-oriented” as the mind of an adult. Instead, children move very freely in the realm of images, imagination, and play. Art therapy is therefore a very natural way of working with children. This being said art therapy is a very wonderful therapeutic modality for all ages.
Art therapy addresses a fundamental need for creativity and self-expression, contributing to wholeness and well-being. The process of art making and voicing one’s stories through that art can be incredibly empowering, transformative, healing, and of course incredibly joyful.
The most important thing to remember is that EVERYONE and ANYONE can benefit from art therapy. Being artistic or even interested in art is not a prerequisite for art therapy. The materials allow for a wide range of interests and abilities. Art therapy also focuses on the process and experience of art making rather than the product. There is also never an expectation on art making in sessions and if it doesn’t seem to fit in that moment, that is absolutely okay. Most importantly, this is YOUR therapy and we will work together to find the best fit for you.
Our services
Art Therapy
Creativity and self-expression in a safe therapeutic environment, contributing to wholeness and well-being. Individual therapy services for children, teens, and adults.
Talk therapy
Utilizing talk in a therapy session means listening and story telling. Within the safety of our therapeutic relationship, I hold space for my client’s stories and for what my client brings to sessions. We are trained in a variety of modalities allowing for flexibility in our approach depending on the needs of our client.
Child and Youth Services
Individualized child and youth counselling services. Offering Social/emotional, life-skill, and executive functioning programming while using counselling techniques to assist in your child’s development.
Play Therapy
For children aged 3-12, we offer play as a tool to support them along their therapeutic journey. It is through playful expression and the stories told through play that children can move through their therapeutic process.
Maternal Health
Art therapy for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. We would be honoured to walk alongside you as you enter into the realm of parenthood.
*COMING SOON* - Group Work
The Anxious Child Group
Social Skills Group
Social Learning Group
ART, PLAY, & TALK THERAPY
Within my practice, I specialize in working with children and adolescents and adults, specifically adults looking for parenting support/coaching. My therapeutic approach is an eclectic one, one that is flexible to the needs of my client. It is very important to know that therapy is not a “one size fits all” approach and therefore I find flexibility in my approach to be imperative. I offer therapeutic approaches in the realm of talk, art, and play therapy.
My client-centered approach takes who you are as a person into consideration when moving forward in a therapeutic relationship. We work together to find a best fit for you in your healing journey. I offer to hold space for you to explore and express whatever it is that you need to.
Areas of Practice:
Parenting support/coaching and Family Support
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Complex emotions
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Grief and loss
Body Image
Gender Identity
Women’s Issues
LGBTQ(2IA+) (topics, identity, empowerment, etc.)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Identity and self-exploration
Self-esteem
Transitional Periods
Mindfulness & Self-care
Maternal Health
Matrescence | the physical, emotional, hormonal, and social transition to becoming a mother
Art therapy for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. I would be honoured to walk alongside you as you enter into the realm of parenthood.
Entering motherhood and experiencing what has been called “matrescence” is a very large transition. A transition that can catch you by surprise and sweep you off your feet. A diverse and subjective experience that can drastically change your life and who you are, unexpectedly. Caring for this new tiny human as you try and pick yourself back up in the midst of healing and hormonal changes can make you feel … off. A feeling that is felt by so many and yet talked about very little.
At times you may feel the overwhelming happiness, the feeling that motherhood is described and expected to be like. Or perhaps you feel differently, you don’t feel that happiness, the joy, the connectedness to your new child, and wonder why. At times you may feel disconnection, loss of identity, exhaustion, loneliness, resentment, depression, anxiety, shame, and so much more. Perhaps this was not what you expected or hoped for.
What I hope to offer is a safe space to you, to explore and understand who you are as a person and a mother. A space where you can creatively explore your identity, worth, and process the physical and emotional changes that have occurred. It is my hope that we can work together to reframe ideas on what motherhood looks like and move forward in the epic journey that becoming a mother is.
Through art, you will experience restorative time for you, a time to nurture your identity and well-being.
