Frequently Asked Questions

I hold a Master of Arts (MA) in Expressive Arts Therapy and am registered as a Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).

This combination means I have graduate-level clinical specialization in using creative and embodied approaches for healing, growth and self-understanding, paired with regulated professional standing in Ontario.

Yes. Under Ontario law, members of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) are legally authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.

While an entry-level social service work diploma does not qualify someone to perform psychotherapy, my advanced Master’s degree provides the clinical education, specialized training and professional competence required by my regulatory College to practice psychotherapy safely and independently.

Expressive Arts Therapy (ExAT) is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative processes—including visual art, writing, movement, music, storytelling and other forms of expression—to support self-awareness, healing and change.

The focus is not on creating a finished product or making something “good.” Instead, we become curious about what happens through the process of creating.

Creative expression can help us explore thoughts, emotions, memories, sensations, relationships and possibilities that may be difficult to access through words alone.

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Expressive Arts Therapy places the creative process at the centre of the therapeutic experience.

In some approaches, artwork may be viewed as a product to be analyzed or interpreted by the therapist. In Expressive Arts Therapy, the art is not something that I decode or explain from the outside. Instead, it becomes a shared exploration where we pay attention to what emerges for you.

We might ask questions such as:

• What did you notice while creating?
• What surprised you?
• What changed during the process?
• What does this experience connect with in your life?

You are the expert on your own experience. My role is to accompany you, offer guidance when helpful and support you in discovering your own insights, strengths and possibilities.

Absolutely not.

Expressive Arts Therapy is based on the belief that creativity is a human capacity—not a special skill reserved for artists.

If you move your hands when you speak, you are already engaging in movement.

If you can make a dot and take it for a walk across a page, you are already drawing.

If you have ever started a story with “Once upon a time…” and imagined what happened next, you are already storytelling.

If you hum in the shower, you are already making music.

The creative experiences we use are intentionally simple and accessible. The focus is not artistic ability, talent or producing something impressive. The focus is curiosity, awareness, imagination and discovering new ways of seeing and responding.

Many people arrive with the belief that they are not creative. Often, this comes from experiences where art was graded, judged, compared or expected to meet certain standards.

Therapeutic artmaking is different.

There is no expectation to create something beautiful, polished or technically skilled. In Expressive Arts Therapy, we use a principle called low-skill/high-sensitivity. This means we intentionally reduce barriers to creating so that we can increase awareness, curiosity, playfulness and connection with our own experience.

When the pressure to perform is lowered, many people discover a greater sense of freedom, confidence and possibility.

Every session is unique because the work is guided by your needs, comfort level and what emerges in the moment.

I may invite you into creative experiences using materials such as drawing, writing, movement, music, objects, storytelling or sensory exploration. These invitations are never requirements—you remain in control of what you choose to explore.

We may begin with something very simple: a mark on a page, a movement, a sound, an image or an everyday action. From there, we become curious about what develops and how it connects with your experiences, challenges, strengths and goals.

The purpose is not to make extraordinary art. The purpose is to create space for insight, growth and change.

My approach is collaborative. Creative invitations are offered based on what may support you, but they are never imposed.

Safety, choice and trust are essential parts of the therapeutic relationship. I may offer suggestions, ask questions or introduce a different way of exploring something, but we work together rather than following a predetermined formula.

The goal is to create a situation where you can discover your own understanding and resources.

Mindfulness and increased awareness are often natural benefits of the creative process, but Expressive Arts Therapy goes beyond relaxation.

Creative expression can help us explore emotions, patterns, relationships, challenges and possibilities for change. By engaging the imagination, body and senses—not only our logical thinking—we can sometimes access new perspectives and resources that are difficult to reach through conversation alone.

Expressive Arts Therapy is the foundation of my approach, and I also integrate other evidence-informed psychotherapeutic practices, including trauma-informed approaches.

My goal is not to fit you into one model of therapy. Instead, I collaborate with you to find approaches that feel safe, meaningful and supportive for your unique experiences and goals.

In many cases, yes, but coverage depends entirely on your specific insurance policy.

• If your plan covers “Psychotherapy”: My receipts clearly identify my professional designation and clinical Master’s degree, which many insurers accept.
• If your plan covers “Social Work / Social Service Work”: I am a fully regulated member of the OCSWSSW, and my registration number is included on every receipt.

I recommend checking directly with your insurance provider before beginning therapy to confirm your specific coverage.

If your claim is declined, please contact me.

Insurance portals sometimes reject claims because automated systems are looking for specific professional titles or registration categories. A denial does not always mean that coverage is unavailable.

I can provide information and documentation to support a manual review by your insurer, including clarification of my regulated professional status and authorization to provide psychotherapy services in Ontario.

At the heart of Expressive Arts Therapy is the belief that people are capable of creating, adapting and discovering new possibilities.

Together, we explore what emerges through creative processes and how those discoveries connect with your life. The art is not the goal—the process of making, noticing and discovering is where transformation can begin.

You do not need to arrive with artistic skills, answers or a clear plan. You only need curiosity and a willingness to explore.