Meet Your Art Therapist!

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Stefanie is a Professional Art Therapist (CATA) and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with an academic background in Fine Art (Wilfrid Laurier), Developmental Psychology (University of Waterloo). Stefanie is a graduate of the Masters Diploma in Art Psychotherapy from the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CiiAT) and combines her clinical training with 25 years of experience working and volunteering in non-profit organizations and schools supporting and advocating for healthy relationships, personal and community wellbeing.

As a young mom I used art making to foster connection with my children and our community and to care for myself as I navigated the complexities of motherhood and adapting to adult life including anxiety, grief, shame, and doubt. As my children and I continued to grow, art continued to play an important role in our lives as an alternative way to communicate big, complex feelings, express love and gratitude, and help regulate ourselves when life felt like too much.

As an Art Therapist I support children, youth and adults who like myself who may be:

• Neurodivergent (ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, OCD, Gifted & Learning Disabilities);
• Experiencing grief related to the loss of a loved one, including pets, as well as loss of relationships (marriage, friendships, parent-child, siblings, communities)
• Trying to find a way to carve out time for themselves, and learn new ways to take care of themselves and regulate their nervous system through art making;
• Looking to identify their values and discover and/or re-align with life goals.

I bring my lived experience and personal values of curiosity, compassion and creativity along with a commitment to provide a judgment-free space in each session to make room for you to unmask and explore your authentic self through art making.

I am guided by a person-centred, strengths-based, attachment informed, neurodiversity affirming approach to support you in discovering the transformative power of Art Psychotherapy.

In addition to my Bachelor’s in Fine Art (BA, Wilfrid Laurier ‘06), Honours Developmental Psychology (BIS, University of Waterloo, ‘16), and Master’s Diploma in Art Psychotherapy (DCiiAT), my specialized trainings and certifications include:

• Creating Sensory Safe Therapy Offices and Playrooms
• Adults with Autism and Comorbid Mental Health Disorders: MI to Enhance Treatment of Anxiety and Depression
• ACT for Music Therapists 
• Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication
• ADHD in Children and Adolescents: Advances in Diagnosis, Treatment and Management
• Rethinking ADHD: A New Treatment Approach
• Understanding Ableism and Neurodiversity in Child and Play Therapy
• CBT Strategies for Kids and Adolescents: Supporting Students with ADHD and Anxiety
• Time Management and Executive Functioning for Adults with ADHD
• ADHD, Relationships, and Sex: Strategies to Overcome the Over/Under-Functioner Dynamic
• Introduction to AutPlay Therapy 
• Therapeutic Horticulture
• Dementia Foundations
• Extensive coursework via the Neufeld Institute and Healing Hooves Equine Facilitated Wellness on Neufeld's Developmental Attachment Paradigm

You will find me partaking in “grandma hobbies” like knitting, crochet, sewing or gardening; spending time with my animals in nature, and trying out new recipes to cook or bake for and with my family. I also serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Art Therapy Association, supporting the Art Therapy community in our region, and advocating for Art Therapy in Ontario.

If any of this connects with you - please reach out for a FREE 15 Minute consult phone call or video call!