After graduation from Western University and a 15 year career in the art world, I developed a profound understanding of how engaging with creativity can be transformative and life enhancing. I completed graduate training in art therapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute to become an art therapist and registered psychotherapist.

My clinical supervision was completed at the University Heath Network’s Toronto General Hospital In-Patient Psychiatry where I co-facilitated art therapy groups and participated in the Structured Interprofessional Education Clinical Program. As a member of the Clinical Learner Leadership Committee I attended transdisciplinary workshops with collaborative thinking to contribute unique perspectives to educational and organizational processes.

In my art therapy program, I analyzed how art therapists reconcile their creativity with mental health best practices conducting original qualitative research cumulating in the thesis “Examining the Identity of Art Therapists using Evidence-Based Practices”. Following my art therapy studies I achieved a Level 1 Certification in TEAM-CBT, a cutting-edge powerful psychotherapy developed by Dr. David Burns at Stanford University for the treatment of depression, anxiety, troubled relationships, habits, addiction and more. It is my firm belief that the arts can have a positive impact on healthcare and well-being and practice with the theory of “treat often, cure sometimes, comfort always.”