For me, art making has been a creative outlet and source of both comfort and self-expression for as long as I can remember. Looking back, my path to becoming an art therapist (a goal of mine since age 16!) was lengthy. My interest in art making and desire to help others, led me to pursue degrees in both visual art and psychology, followed by teacher’s college.  

In my previous teaching roles, integrating art with various subjects often allowed for non-verbal self-expression, the promotion of self-regulation, and feelings of relaxation.

When I did pursue graduate level studies in Art Therapy, I was fortunate to continue working with children at a local treatment center. I further strengthened my clinical skills in a psychiatric setting with adults experiencing severe mental illness and seniors with Dementia.

I love the tangible, visible, and action-oriented nature of art therapy. No artistic skill is required. My clients are often pleasantly surprised by their creative expressions and their inherent strengths.

I am a Registered Canadian Art Therapist (canadianarttherapy.org), Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (crpo.ca), and Ontario Certified Teacher (oct.ca). 

I have additional professional development in:

• Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (by Dr. Ross Greene)
• Self-Reg Foundations Certificate (by Dr. Stuart Shanker) 
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Cognitive Processing Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 
• Sand-Tray/Play therapy 
• ADHD interventions & treatment
• P.I.E.C.E.S.  (Approach to assessment & treatment for older adults with complex physical & cognitive/mental health needs)
• Guided drawing (Sensorimotor Art Therapy approach)
• Art Therapy Supervision