Psychotherapy for the creative spirit
This space is for you.
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.
By using art psychotherapy to nurture your creativity and self-expression, we can work to support your goals in ways that feel safe, compassionate and accessible.
My approach is relational, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, trauma-informed and rooted in neuroscience, somatic experiencing, mindfulness & Indigenous worldviews on wellbeing.
I am here to walk with you on your personal journey, help you feel seen and heard, and honour your inner wisdom with authenticity and care.
Curious about art psychotherapy?
Art psychotherapy is a way to use art and creativity to process life events, explore thoughts and emotions, and better understand one’s inner world.
art therapy can help us…
- express ourselves differently
- grow a stronger sense of self
- explore & cope with emotions
- feel more at home in our bodies
- learn to better meet our needs
- get our creative juices flowing
art therapy can be a path to…
- feeling safe to live authentically
- rediscovering joy & play
- lessening stress & anxiety
- restoring emotional, mental, spiritual & community health
- shifting how we see the world
art therapy is for anyone who…
- finds talk therapy challenging
- is curious/passionate about art
- seeks new mental health tools
- has some (or zero!) artistic skill
- feels more comfortable communicating without words
Therapeutic offerings:
in-person sessions
online sessions
groups & workshops
eco-art therapy
Complimentary consultation
Curious to learn more? Wondering if we’ll be a fit? Schedule a free, 30-minute virtual consultation and let’s connect!
Common queries
What is art therapy?
Art therapy pairs the talking aspects of psychotherapy with nonverbal creative activities to help people find new ways to explore their emotions, relationships and inner landscapes.
How does art therapy work?
Through drawing, painting, clay and collage, you can tap into your creative spirit and find new, sometimes playful ways to experience life, feelings and relationships. This interactive, nonverbal process also includes the opportunity to share your creations verbally with a trained art psychotherapist.
Art therapy supports the integration of multiple regions of the brain, leading to greater emotional resourcing and resilience-building, which, in turn, can foster greater self-compassion, wellbeing, and inner attunement.
What makes an art therapist qualified?
Art therapists typically need to finish a master’s program or equivalent graduate-level diploma. These programs include hands-on work in therapy clinics or with community organizations, receiving supervision from experienced art therapists, and completing a significant research project or thesis.
To practice psychotherapy in Ontario, art therapists are expected to be registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Art therapists in Ontario are also registered with the Canadian Art Therapy Association in Canada, and abide by both organizations’ ethical frameworks.
What can art therapy help with?
- boosting emotional awareness
- strengthening interpersonal skills
- managing burnout & anxiety
- improving problem solving skills
- expanding on inner strength
- growing your mind-body connection
- enhancing self-expression & creativity
How much artistic ability do I need?
You don’t need any skills or prior experience with art to benefit from art therapy!
The process of art therapy isn’t about making aesthetically pleasing art – it’s about gifting yourself time and space to create and express yourself.
Do I need art supplies?
If we’re meeting in-person, I provide all art supplies and materials.
If we’re meeting virtually, we can make art with whatever you have available in your home. We can also discuss what kind of art you’re interested in, and I can make suggestions on what materials would be best.
Do you take insurance?
Āio Art Therapy is a member of the CRPO, so your services may be covered if you have an extended medical plan or extended health benefits that include Registered Psychotherapists (qualifying). Unfortunately, psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP.
Following payment of your session, you will receive a receipt you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you’re unable to attend a session, I ask that you give 24-hrs notice. Missed appointments and appointments that are cancelled with less than 24-hrs notice are charged the full session fee.
What does art therapy cost?
I am gradually working toward being able to offer sliding scale and low-cost art psychotherapy. While I am growing my practice, my current pricing can be found here.
How do I get started?
I’m looking forward to meeting you! You can kick things off by booking a complimentary 30-minute virtual consultation. Afterward, if you decide you’d like to move forward, we will have an initial discovery session. The discovery session is where we chat about your goals, needs, and any other info you’d like me to know about how I can best support you during therapy.
Get in touch
For new client inquiries, questions or group bookings, please reach out via admin@aioarttherapy.com
“We tend to think of healing as something binary: either we’re broken or we’re healed from that brokenness. But that’s not how healing operates, and it’s almost never how human growth works.”
Resmaa Menakem
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies
(page 12)