Sessions in English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Gujarati

Hi there! My name is Anandita, I’am a student art therapist at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CIIAT), currently pursuing a Master’s in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy at Wilfrid Laurier University. I completed my Honors Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Toronto. I have always been drawn to making art, both as a child and throughout my university years. Art has been a powerful medium for gaining insight, understanding emotions, and expressing myself. While I could list many benefits of art-making, it is truly best experienced firsthand.

My approach to art therapy is about making the process inviting and enjoyable. I ensure a safe, compassionate space where you can dive into self-expression without fear of judgment. Whether you’re looking to tap into your creative side or find a unique path to healing, I am here to create, laugh, and transform together with you.

Sessions in English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Gujarati Hi there! My name is Anandita, I’am a studen... Read More

Sessions in English and Bulgarian

Emilia is a student art therapist with CiiAT in the Art Psychotherapy Diploma Program. Originally from Eastern Europe, she has a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from the University of Ottawa. For 16 years, Emilia has been passionately creating art, gifting most of her pieces, and taking multiple classes at the Ottawa School of Arts to refine her skills. After years in the corporate world, she realized that art is where her life’s work truly lies, as it brings profound meaning and healing.

Her experience as a project manager in a high-tech nonprofit organization provides her with a goal-oriented, focused, creative, and adaptive approach to the therapeutic process. Emilia’s life is enriched by her role as a mother of two, including a teenage girl and a neurodivergent 10-year-old boy, giving her a deep understanding of the diverse challenges and joys of family life. She is also a native Bulgarian speaker, with some understanding of Russian, and speaks French and Greek at an intermediate level. Emilia loves learning about different cultures.

Emilia is dedicated to helping others discover the healing power of art. She aims to create a supportive environment where clients can explore their creativity, gain insights, and find emotional relief. She is also a keen amateur ballroom dancer, continuously exploring new avenues of creativity and expression. Emilia would be honoured to help you find meaning, understanding, and healing through the creation of art.

Sessions in English and Bulgarian Emilia is a student art therapist with CiiAT in the Art Psycho... Read More

Sessions in English and Mandarin

Art Psychotherapy Student, CiiAT Master of Education Boxuan is presently pursuing an Art Psychotherapy Diploma at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CiiAT). Leveraging a diverse academic background that shows his profound commitment to the field. He possesses a postgraduate diploma in applied psychology from China, a Master of Education from the University of Windsor, Canada, and an MSc major in Entertainment and Media Management from Marseille, France. With a multicultural and multilingual background, Boxuan offers therapy in both Mandarin and English, fostering an inclusive and accessible therapeutic space for individuals from various cultural backgrounds.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Boxuan is also working closely with individuals experiencing developmental and intellectual disabilities in the Windsor community. His dedication to helping people achieve a good and quality life is evident in his hands-on contribution within the community. This commitment underscores Boxuan’s belief in the transformative power of community engagement and inclusive practices. Passionate about cultivating impactful therapeutic connections, Boxuan specializes in working with individuals who share a similar cultural background. His dedication extends to those who resonate with this shared cultural identity, fostering a space for profound and meaningful therapeutic experiences.

Additionally, he aspires to provide affirming and empathetic therapy to the LGBTQ+ community, enhancing his cultural competence to address their unique challenges. Drawing on over five years of professional experience in campus settings and an MEd degree, Boxuan adeptly navigates developmental challenges for individuals in various life stages, employing personalized therapeutic approaches.

Sessions in English and Mandarin Art Psychotherapy Student, CiiAT Master of Education Boxuan is ... Read More

Sessions in English

Gabrielle Lanthier is a student art therapist in the Art Psychotherapy diploma program at CIIAT. She graduated from the Visual and Critical Studies program at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, where she currently resides. During her undergraduate program, she engaged in an array of art practices and mediums, and studied art making practices from around the world. Her engagement with art-making has played an important role in her own healing journey. She believes that healing happens in community, and her experience facilitating trauma-informed peer support group programs allowed her to witness the healing power of co-creating safe spaces with others. Gabrielle welcomes you to connect with your inner artist, and offers a compassionate, non-judgemental, and playful space for self-discovery.

Sessions in English Gabrielle Lanthier is a student art therapist in the Art Psychotherapy diplo... Read More

Sessions in English

Katherine is an Art Psychotherapy Graduate Student at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CiiAT), a recent Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD U) Illustration alumna, and currently working as a part-time Art Instructor. Fluent in both English and Mandarin, she combines her background in art and design with her experience with children to build a practice that supports children’s emotional growth through art therapy, fostering self-expression and creativity.

Sessions in English Katherine is an Art Psychotherapy Graduate Student at the Canadian Internati... Read More

Sessions in English

Golzar Safakish received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University in Toronto, Ontario. Her passion to create art began at a young age and has continued to aid her in her own personal growth and self-discovery into adulthood. She is a firm believer that every individual has the innate ability to be creative and can benefit from the use of art as an outlet for self-expression. With a background in psychology and a desire for helping others, she is committed to supporting her clients in reaching their therapeutic goals through the process of art-making. Golzar takes a person-centred approach in her practice as she adapts her interventions to nurture the needs and goals of each individual client. Her therapeutic process ensures that her clients have a non-judgmental space where they can feel safe to explore their thoughts, feelings, and emotions at their own pace. In addition to her studies at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy, Golzar makes an ongoing effort to do her own personal research to deepen her understanding of various therapeutic techniques and modalities. She hopes to use her knowledge and therapeutic skills to guide her clients on a journey toward healing, self-empowerment and emotional well-being.

Sessions in English Golzar Safakish received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York Univer... Read More

Sessions in English

With a background in Fine Art (BA, Wilfrid Laurier ‘06) and Developmental Psychology (BIS, University of Waterloo, ‘16), Stefanie Ly integrates her personal experience of raising children, academic research, and years of employment in public and private schools and health care settings to live her purpose: supporting families and educators in creating healthy, attuned relationships that generate joy, connection and are a safe space for self-expression.

Stefanie has spent most of her working life in administrative roles, which began to shift in the last five years, becoming certified as an Equine Guided Coach, Equine & Animal Assisted Learning Practitioner (Q) with Pro-EFW, and Parent Education Facilitator (Discipline & Guidance) with Simplicity Parenting. Stefanie lives on a horse farm in Cambridge, Ontario, the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Neutral peoples, and offers Equine & Animal Assisted Wellness Programming to local families.

Last year, she chose to embark upon a new journey, to expand her experience and be able to meet the deeper needs of her clients - to become an Art Psychotherapist with CiiAT! Stefanie discovered Art Therapy in 2003 during her BA Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, and the desire to become an Art Therapist never left her as she became a mother and raised her children, utilizing art to foster connection with them, their community and herself as she navigated the challenges of adult life and parenthood. With her children now grown, it was time for her to take this next step in her professional life, and she is looking forward to making Art Therapy accessible to more families through the VATC, and her local community through her practicum.

Her long-term goal is to blend Animal-Assisted Wellness and Art Therapy. She believes in the power of experiencing the wonder and wisdom that nature, animal connection, and creativity cultivate within us.

Sessions in English With a background in Fine Art (BA, Wilfrid Laurier ‘06) and Developmental Ps... Read More

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

MA, ATR, MFT, REAT, RCAT

Registered Art Therapist in Canada and the USA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California

Michelle is a Registered Art Therapist, trained facilitator, and supervisor with twenty years of experience working directly with groups, families, and individuals. Michelle is the Clinical Director for the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Art Therapy Association.

Making art has always been her solace, passion and fascination from childhood onward. When her first career in architecture did not satisfy her creative and social needs, art therapy was a natural, perfect fit! Since then, she’s never looked back.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR MA, ATR, MFT, REAT, RCAT Registered Art Therapist in Canada and the USA Licens... Read More

Sessions in English

Tina is a Canadian born Chinese daughter of immigrants from South China and Hong Kong. Tina’s family journey in Canada began in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal and she grew up mostly in Tkaronto/Toronto. Her professional work in finance and human rights education has taken her all over the world. She has spent over 20 years in the social services field focused on child and family violence prevention, child and youth friendly community development, and advocacy in child rights, human rights, and anti-racism.

Tina is now a mother of two children and lives on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people with her family. She is in her final year of the graduate art therapy program and is also a practicum student at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. She is currently working at a BC mental health policy advocacy organization.

Art making has been a part of Tina’s life since childhood and art therapy has been so important to her own healing and self-care journey. She recognizes the need for more access to mental health supports for racialized communities and is striving to contribute to decolonizing, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and trauma-informed practices.

Sessions in English Tina is a Canadian born Chinese daughter of immigrants from South China and ... Read More

Sessions in English

Kristen is an enthusiastic fine art professional whose motto remains ‘if you do not travel within, you may be travelling without’. She graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design (now AUARTS) with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree as a painting major. Her personal creative practice engages fluid media as organic aesthetics that access emotional realms, promoting cognitive clarity. She does not shy away from any media, spontaneously exploring unconventional methods. Her inventor’s curiosity is founded on themes of letting go with the flow and healthy control, fascinated by the revealing of one’s idiosyncratic styles and tendencies.

Kristen is a Vancouver Island-based certified Usui Reiki master and artist with acknowledgment and gratitude to the First Nations Lekwungen Peoples of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nation, all of the fifty First Nations communities located within the Coast Salish, Nuu Chah Nulth, and Kwakiut-l regions. A nature lover, ocean-scape dweller, and tree admirer, she utilizes intuition and concepts of energy as a guide to enjoying conscious breathwork, yoga, innovative neuroscience, music making, reflective journalling, poetry, and spirituality. As a child, she intently dedicated her life to becoming a healing arts professional after enduring a rare life-altering neurological disorder that resulted in partial disability.

As an adult student art therapist, she wishes to gain experience with diverse populations, including but not limited to those affected by ableism, grief, loss, and illness, with a desire to boost wellbeing, existential resilience, and mental health in cultivating identity. Her clinical goal is to facilitate enriched and empowered creative experiences with a holistic person-centered approach based on mindfulness, gentle somatic sensory awareness, self-care, and mind-body-spirit connection.

Sessions in English Kristen is an enthusiastic fine art professional whose motto remains ‘if you... Read More

Sessions in English

I have always found a strong sense of purpose in helping others and making art. I couldn’t imagine a better way of supporting people in their healing than through a process of creative expression.

Over the past fifteen years, my studies, artistic practice and professional life have been motivated by a desire to understand the human condition. What I have learned is that creativity is an innate and fundamental aspect of the self, and one of the most powerful inner resources we have to restore balance to our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Before I had an understanding of the influence that different art materials and processes have on the brain, I couldn’t fully appreciate the role creativity played in my health or how to make the most of its benefits. That is why I value an evidence-based approach to art therapy that is grounded in neuroscience and prioritizes psychoeducation as an essential part of the therapeutic experience. My hope is to provide my clients with a warm and relaxed environment where creative play enables greater self-awareness for empowered self-care. I look forward to working together towards your therapeutic goals in a style that is in tune with your personal comfort, interests and needs.

Sessions in English I have always found a strong sense of purpose in helping others and making a... Read More

Sessions in English

Yuli is currently studying to become an art therapist at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. She decided to take this career path because it has been her life mission to use creativity to help others.

She graduated from Algonquin College, Ottawa with a Bachelor of Interior Design. She has worked in Tokyo at an art installation firm, and learned how to create comfortable and joyful physical spaces for people. She also worked part time teaching English conversation to adults and art to children. As a teacher, she had the privilege of working with age groups ranging from 4 to 70 years old. This is where she found her strength for holding safe learning environments to help her students grow.

Growing up as a second generation Asian Canadian, Yuli experienced the cross-cultural challenges living in Canada, Taiwan, and Japan. Art has been a tool for her to navigate and understand how her environment makes her feel. It helped shape her identity and gave her a safe platform to express her true thoughts. This sparked her love for art therapy. Yuli looks forward to providing creative guidance to clients, making a welcoming safe space where they can explore, grow, and express themselves authentically.

Sessions in English Yuli is currently studying to become an art therapist at the Canadian Intern... Read More

Sessions in English

Sarah graduated from Dalhousie University with a degree in Neuroscience and a certificate in Disability Management. Sarah was ‘late’ to embrace art in her life - it wasn’t until she sought Art Therapy in her own healing journey that she recognized the importance of this work and wanted to share it with others. With no formal training in fine arts, Sarah will be the first to tell you that creativity is for everybody, no matter their experience and/or abilities. With a background in group home and respite work, Sarah has experience working with diverse populations, including neurodiverse folks and clients with intellectual disabilities. She embraces a person-centred approach and works to meet clients where they are in ways that are meaningful and effective for them.

Sessions in English Sarah graduated from Dalhousie University with a degree in Neuroscience and ... Read More

Sessions in English

McKayla Stewart is a diploma student at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. Growing up in a family affected by mental illness inspired her interest in helping others who struggle with mental health. She has experience working with diverse individuals through homecare, tutoring, and as support staff in acute inpatient mental health and residential addictions treatment settings. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Alberta, she was unsure of which career path to choose. When she discovered the field of Art Therapy, everything clicked. McKayla strongly believes in the healing power of creative expression, and has always found joy in a variety of artistic endeavours such as drawing, painting, embroidery, and mask-making. She aims for a gentle client-centered, collaborative approach, and always appreciates the opportunity to work with and learn from new people.

Sessions in English McKayla Stewart is a diploma student at the Canadian International Institute... Read More

Sessions in English

Richard is a student art therapist currently residing in Ontario Canada. He has received an advanced diploma with honours from the Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax Canada. With his artistic background, Richard uses art as an integral part of daily life and is now studying under the Canadian International Institution of Art Therapy in order to spread the wonderful magic of art-making in a therapeutic, creative environment. Richard can usually be found painting away in his studio or researching theories and concepts to add to his eclectic creative practice. While Richard’s main focus was painting in school, he has come to love all art processes.

Richard views art as a magical door that helps open us up to new worlds, new experiences, and new ways of self-discovery.

Sessions in English Richard is a student art therapist currently residing in Ontario Canada. He ... Read More