I am an eco-artist and art therapist with a keen interest in creating opportunities for people to connect with one another, to themselves and to the natural world in order to build a more sustainable future. I host art therapeutic workshops that center on the nervous system and the heart and focus on using natural/plant-based materials, ecological art practices and recycled materials.

I have a background in Fine Arts, specifically in drawing and painting, from NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and I hold two masters degrees, one in landscape architecture from the University of Guelph and another in art therapy from Concordia University. While studying and working in different landscape architectural contexts, I found myself drawn to projects relating to food security and local food systems such as installing edible food gardens on rooftops and facilitating urban agriculture/cooking workshops for children. In terms of my artistic pursuits, my sensitivity and deep connection to nature led me to explore different eco art practices such as experimentation with ephemeral land art and the use of recycled objects/materials in art making. Over time, my distress about the state of the planet prompted me to consider more creative ways to work through my eco-anxiety, drawing me towards alternative forms of healing such as art therapy. Overall, my graduate studies in art therapy provided me with practical clinical knowledge, understanding and experience of using different art therapeutic approaches and inspired me to continue practicing self-reflection and critical thinking.

Through centering art in sessions with clients, I realized just how powerful a tool it can be for communicating emotions and experiences, especially when finding the right words is difficult or inaccessible. I was amazed at how art can help with trauma processing through its ability to ground and anchor people in the present moment, connect with their bodies and with others, and create awareness of challenging fragmented memories caused by trauma through imagery. I love how art invites a sense of play, joy and rhythm to therapy sessions and how it can foster feelings of well-being and reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.