Heartwood Art Therapy

Art can be made with anything, anywhere, anyway! #makeart #artist #arttherapy #gratitude #gratitudeart #alternativeart

Check in with yourself! Trauma responses come in all shapes and sizes. Be gentle with yourself, be gentle with others. . #trauma #traumaresponse #selfawareness #checkin #careforyourself #careforothers

Feelings have important messages! . #feelings #listentoyourself #acknowledge #arttherapy #arttherapist

Some exciting news: not only has my Art Therapy studio had a major makeover, but this Art Therapist is officially on maternity leave until further notice! . My hope is that my return to work comes at a time when the health concerns of the pandemic have settled, and I can warmly welcome my clients, old and new, to return to this space to make magic . #arttherapy #arttherapyspace #arttherapystudio #artspace #arttherapyvictoria #arttherapist #victoriaarttherapist #smallbusiness #makeover

With extra time on my hands I have been completely taking apart and rebuilding my art therapy space. Although clients may not be returning to my office for a while, it will be a magical place once they do. . And until then I will be benefiting from a new, organized art space for myself!! . #organize #organizeart #artsupplies #mixedmedia #natureart #arttherapy #arttherapisy #victoriaarttherapist #victoriaarttherapy #declutter #unusualartsupplies

Todays art directive: Quarantine Collage. . My client used words, images and colours to express what social distancing feels like for her and how she spends her time. She reflected on both the difficulties as well as the privileges that accompany spending so much time at home with her family. . Image shared with permission and gratitude ... . #arttherapy #arttherapydirective #quarantinecollage #artthroughpandemic #collage #artastherapy #artreflection #artforselfcare #victoriaarttherapist #victoriaarttherapy See more

It IS important to sit with your feelings. And it can be really difficult to do so. Especially right now when we have so much time to sit and so many things to feel. . How are you doing?

Sometimes, this is what virtual Art Therapy looks like. . #gowiththeflow #beflexible #funnymoments #arttherapy #arttherapist #victoriaarttherapy #victoriaarttherapist #artastherapy #artexpression #artthroughpandemic

Not only did I use this directive from @art_as_therapy with each of my clients this week, but I first did it myself. And what a learning experience it was! . Although it appears incomplete, it is finished and has revealed to me that even though Im a giving person, there are limits to my capacity to give. As I am growing and giving endlessly to a baby inside my belly, giving to my family, friends and clients, I think it is a wonderful lesson learned that sometimes I am not ab...le to give to know end. . A theme in my work as well as my clients is that many of our needs are also things we can give, and giving to ourselves is an important and fulfilling way to have our needs met sometimes. . Thanks @art_as_therapy for this incredible directive during this fragile time! . #arttherapy #artastherapy #arttherapist #victoriaarttherapist #victoriaarttherapy #learnthroughart #artthroughisolation #artforwellbeing #mentalhealth See more

Mindfulness rules! It can be especially helpful with so much uncertainty around us. . #mindful #healthyhabits #getcreative #create #bethoughtful #bekindtoyourself #begentlewithyourself #arttherapy #arttherapist

A collection of flowers. As many of my clients dont have the plethora of art material that I keep in my art studio, Ive been trying to use more basic materials to make art; today I used gel pens and loved it! #arttherapy #backtobasics #arttherapist #victoriaarttherapy #victoriaartist #artthroughisolation #artastherapy #play #playfulart #daffodils #daisy

There is no right or wrong way to feel! This says it all . #allthefeels #feelings #acceptance #nonjudgement #bekind #bekindtoyourself #bekindtoyourmind #mentalhealth

Looking for a creative activity for your kids?? This dear one is out beautifying her world with a little (or a lot) of sidewalk chalk. Amazing work!! . #artastherapy #artoutside #outsideart #chalkart #kidsactivities #quarentineactivities #quarentineart #socialdistanceart #artthroughisolation #decorate #getoutside #create

Virtual Art Therapy is a go! . Feeling grateful for the flexibility and adaptability of my clients and for the internet! . #arttherapy #arttherapist #virtualarttherapy #covidart #covid19 #getcreative #mentalhealth #flexibility #adaptability #artonline #artastherapy

Striving to keep each other and our community safe and healthy, I am temporarily closing my Art Therapy Studio and will instead be offering virtual sessions. It will certainly feel different, however, remember we are doing this out of love We can all feel the strange and unfamiliar anxieties, worries and heaviness of this strange and unpredictable time. It is so important to connect and keep up with mental health support as much as possible! I am here, I am available - pl...ease reach out if you need a listening ear and some creative inspiration! [email protected] 250.217.1254 See more

Rainbow bead. . Inspired by this young girls brightness today. . #arttherapy #arttherapyvictoria #arttherapist #victoriabc #victoriaart #artastherapy #rainbow #mixedmedia #youthart #artincounselling #artforhealth

Happy International Womens Day!! . This is a piece of personal art I made years ago in my own art therapy journey. It still feels so very relevant today! . #woman #women #internationalwomensday #alldayeveryday #arttherapy #arttherapist #victoriaart #victoriaarttherapy #fabricart #supportwomen #womensupportingwomen

Today I myself was the participant in a drum making workshop. It was such a wonderful experience to sit back as a learner as opposed to a host. . Creating this drum, I felt calm. The hide I chose to use felt calm. Methodically weaving the sinew into a strong web felt calm. . The second photo is a drum made by another participant. So much energy in the hide!... . #drum #drummaking #drumworkshop #arttherapy #artastherapy #victoriadrums #elkhide #birchwood #ceremony See more

Ah the detail! Often the purpose of the art process can be to relax, calm down and unwind. Focusing on the artwork is an excellent form of mindfulness. . #detail #mindful #mindfulness #arttherapy #arttherapist #victoriaarttherapist #victoriaartist #artastherapy #mindfulnessart #drawing #doodles #gold

Weekly mandala check ins - a symbolic weekly expression and excellent way to track your emotional life. . #arttherapy #arttherapist #victoriaarttherapy #victoriaartthrrapist #victoriaartist #artexpression #artastherapy #therapist #counselling #artincounseling #mandala #expression #emotions

So very excited to be putting on this workshop. Please join Gaby Emmett and I for an afternoon of yoga and art... and of course fun!

You cant use up creativity. The more you use the more you have. -Maya Angelou. It is a lifelong goal of mine to use creativity for all sorts of reasons: play, expression, discovery, supporting myself, supporting others, fun, exploration, the list goes on and on... #arttherapy #arttherapist #artplay #victoriaart #creativity #artastherapy #artincounselling

So much about adversity explained in one image! . #adversity #trauma #childhoodtrauma #braindevelopment #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

.HEARTWOOD.. My business name is inspired by the strong inner wood of the tree, the heartwood. The rings that build up the heartwood tell the individual and unique story of each trees history. . #heartwood #heartwoodarttherapy #story #storytelling #storyteller #history #arttherapy #arttherapist #inspiredbynature #nature #victoriaarttherapist #treehugger #getoutside #hikebc #victoria #vancouverisland #unique

When youre 15 year old client wants to explore her relationship to herself and her alter ego through body casting... There are no words to describe the power of these pieces! . Her spirit is of the forest . #arttherapy #arttherapist #bodycasting #bodycast #bodyart #selfexploration #relationshiptobody #natureart #naturematerial #youthart #youthartist #victoriaartist #victoriaarttherapist

My art therapy clients get to share their foot space with this big love bug. She always has to be under the table. . #arttherapy #arttherapist #therapydog #therapypitbull #officedog #victoriaarttherapy #

This popped up on my news feed as a memory from a year ago! This mama gave birth to her baby days after creating this body cast. It has been an immense privilege witnessing her grow as a being and as a mother, and being able to know her sweet loving child :) Im inspired by her strength and creativity. . #birthart #arttherapy #artwithintention #bodyart #bodycast #pregnancy #pregnancyart #bellyart #arttherapist #prenatalart #perinatal

A new year! An excellent time to reflect on what it is in your life you are grateful for. My client created these amazing gratitude flags to hang in her bedroom. #nurturing #connection #magik #feelings #ritual #beauty . #arttherapy #arttherapist #victoriaart #newyear #gratitude #gratitudeflags #create #reflect #artastherapy #fibreart #mixedmediaart #youthart

A little reminder. . #wearehumanafterall #arttherapy #arttherapist #bcarttherapy #victoriaarttherapist #feelyourfeelings #allowyourself #youdeserve #bekindtoyourself #askforhelp #validate #

Withness to witness with. . Im not sure where I first heard this concept, or if I came up with it on my own. Either way, Im in love with it. As a therapist and as a person, I deeply value the concept of witnessing together. Sometimes I just need to be witnessed through an emotional experience, and it is meaningful to me to be able to offer the same witnessing to others. . I will withness you.... . #witness #witnesswith #withness #holdspace #intentionflag #gratitudeflags #arttherapy #artherapist #victoriamaker #yyjartist #fabricart #textileart #mixedmedia #yyjmakers See more

Welcoming the new seasons and the cycles of life is a tradition that is lost on many in this day and age. . Using artistic creation as a ritual to explore and sink into these cycles can be healing for the mind body and soul. . Is there a ritual or tradition you partake in to welcome the Autumn season?... . #Arttherapy #arttherapist #autumn #welcomeautumn #ritualart #fallrituals #traditionart #naturalmaterials #wreathmaking #willow #artastherapy #arttogether #womenscircle #arttherapylife #creativeartstherapy See more

Where the magic happens #arttherapy #artastherapy #studio #privatepractice #basket #basketwall

Spring wreath made by a client today. So nice to have some sunshine and look forward to the Spring season! #spring #wreath #springwreath #arttherapy #victoriaartist #victoriaarttheray #lavender #eucalyptus #greenery #mixedmedia #mixedmediaart