Art Therapy
Who is art therapy for?
Art therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that integrates creative expression—such as drawing, painting, or sculpting—into the therapeutic process to support emotional, psychological, and cognitive well-being.
Facilitated by a trained art therapist, this approach allows individuals to explore thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to express through words alone, making it especially effective for children, trauma survivors, and those with communication challenges.
The emphasis is not on artistic skill or creating aesthetically pleasing art, but rather on the personal meaning behind the creative process and imagery. Through art-making, clients can gain insight into their emotions, improve self-awareness, reduce anxiety and stress, process trauma, and enhance self-esteem.
Art therapy is used across diverse settings—including schools, hospitals, and mental health clinics—and is grounded in both psychological theory and emerging evidence that supports its effectiveness in treating a wide range of mental health concerns.
When can art therapy be helpful?
Art therapy can be helpful in many situations where individuals struggle to express emotions or process experiences through words alone. It is especially effective for those dealing with trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or chronic illness, as well as for children, neurodivergent individuals, and people in addiction recovery.
By engaging in creative expression, clients can explore emotions, build self-awareness, manage stress, and support healing in a safe, nonverbal way.
Unique aspects of art therapy
Art therapy is unique in that it uses creative expression as a nonverbal way to explore emotions, making it especially helpful when words are hard to find. It focuses on the healing process of making art rather than the final product, allowing for symbolic exploration of thoughts and feelings. Accessible to people of all ages and abilities, it engages both the mind and body, supports emotional regulation, and provides a visual record of personal growth. This safe and expressive approach offers a powerful alternative to traditional talk therapy.
Curious about what it looks like?
How we can work with you
We provide individual counselling (both in-person and over the phone).
Treatments we offer
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that integrates creative expression—such as drawing, painting, or sculpting—into the therapeutic process to support emotional, psychological, and cognitive well-being.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, is a practical and short-term type of psychotherapy, useful in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress conditions. It works by helping clients focus on the present, on the problems that come up in day-to-day life.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a modified form of CBT, and it aims to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT/EFIT)
EFT (for couples) and EFIT (for individuals) are therapeutic approaches that prioritize understanding and transforming emotional responses.
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and it’s an integrative therapy used specifically for clients who have experienced trauma and many other mental health issues. It has been proven very effective in dealing with these conditions.
Gottman Couples Therapy
Gottman Couples Therapy is an approach that helps couples understand and manage their relationship dynamics through practical, research-based methods.
Observed & Experiential Integration (OEI)
OEI helps integrate posttraumatic material in the brain to reduce trauma-related symptoms, including overwhelming emotions (such as anxiety and grief) by engaging the visual pathways (through the eyes).
Play Therapy
Play Therapy is a highly regarded and evidence-based therapeutic modality for children.
Therapy for First Responders
We are proud to offer therapy services provided by Terresa and Dean, both trained through First Responder Health and listed in the Warrior Health directory, an initiative associated with Wounded Warriors.
Trauma-focused Therapy
Trauma-Focused Therapy (TFT) is designed specifically to help people confront and resolve the impacts of traumatic experiences.