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, is very adaptable and flexible for folks of all ages and stages. No “artistic skill” is 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 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) and a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT). 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 set by CATA as well as the Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics set by ACCT.

My Background

Raised by an artist mother and medical doctor father, it’s no great wonder I work 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 strategic facilities planning 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.

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, integrated somatic 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 in this endeavour.

Complementary Consultation

I welcome you to book a complimentary 20 minute consultation with me to explore if we’re a good therapeutic fit.

Welcome to my private practice, where I offer online art therapy sessions to adults and youth. (F... Read More