Welcome to my private practice, where I offer online art therapy sessions to adults and youth. (For in-person outdoor and in-home sessions, or for groups and workshops in/around Campbell River, please contact me.) I specialize in supporting clients through grief, loss, life transitions, identity exploration, stress, and trauma.
#Art Therapy
Art Therapy, a form of psychotherapy and somatic therapy, is endlessly adaptable and flexible for those of all ages and stages. No "artistic skill" or fancy art materials are needed because the focus is on expressive creative action more than making “art.” Through creating, we are making something that didn't exist before. Within the therapeutic creative state, we experience an opening up, allowing room for things that didn't exist before--new perspectives, new sensations, new questions, new connections, new skills, new healing, new hope. Then we reflect on the experience and the creation itself, and we gain access to possibilities and understanding that didn't exist before. We surprise ourselves! Through creative play, we can find a new way.
#Fees
I offer reduced rates for young adults - see sessions for details. While I do not provide direct billing to insurance providers, coverage for my services may be available to you depending on your health benefits policy.
#My Qualifications
I am a Professional Art Therapist with the Canadian Art Therapy Association [(CATA)] (https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/) and a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada [(ACCT)] (https://acctcounsellor.com/index.php). I hold a Bachelor of Design with Distinction from the University of Alberta and a Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy institute. I adhere to the [Standards of Practice] (https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/governance/#standards-of-practice) set by CATA as well as the [Standards of Practice] (https://acctcounsellor.com/StandardsofPractice) and the [Code of Ethics] (https://acctcounsellor.com/CodeofEthics) set by ACCT. I have additional training in grief and loss support, trauma-informed therapy, cross-cultural therapy, and psychedelic experience integration. I am currently completing certification with the Institute of Sensorimotor art therapy.
#My Background
Raised by an artist mother and medical doctor father, it’s no great wonder I was drawn to support wellness and healing through the creative arts. I’m a CIS gendered settler on this land, born and raised in Campbell River/ ƛəmataxʷ on Vancouver Island, the unceded territory of the Ligwiłda’xw people – the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, and Kwiakah First Nations. I’ve lived near, far, and very far within differing cultures, before gladly and gratefully returning in 2020.
Art therapy and creative exploration has been and continues to be transformative in my own life. After pursuing a multitude of careers, from architectural design to teaching, and finally coming to art therapy in my 40's, nothing has come close to the authenticity I feel when practicing art therapy with clients. One of my favourite aspects of art therapy is the way playful joy arises in the creative process, even as we navigate deep, painful challenges.
#My Approach
As an art therapist, I strive to embody an aspirational ethic, focusing on wellness, strength, resource-building, and connection. In each art therapy session, I draw from a variety of theoretical models, frameworks, and techniques. The ever-evolving lens through which I practice art therapy is influenced by interpersonal neurobiology, transpersonal interconnectivity, somatic and sensorimotor embodiment, feminist theory, trauma theory, eco-psychology, compassionate mindfulness, and internal family systems. All of this under the umbrella of a culturally humble, harm-reduction, person-centred approach while embracing the fundamental healing and enlivening role of play, imagination, and creativity.
I view an art therapy session as a collaborative experience between client, art therapist, and the creative process. We emphasize curiosity over criticism and play over perfection. We invite whatever is present in your mind and body to move through you within the creative process, and to be seen in art in front of us. As we exercise and befriend our creativity through compassionate, curious, therapeutic art-making and reflection, we foster wholehearted creative life-living. It is my honour and privilege to support clients on this journey.
#Complementary Consultation
If you’re curious to learn more, I welcome you book a free 20-minute consultation.
Whatever path you choose, I wish you well.
