Expressive Arts Psychotherapy

An Expressive Arts Psychotherapy session does not require you to be an artist. Your therapist will not judge or analyze your artwork. There is no right or wrong way to create or play. You are able to choose via a multitude of mediums and sessions can be customized based on your favourite or preferable medium. You may use paint, pencil crayons, markers, craft materials, your body, toys or even play games depending on the nature of the session and what is required for you to do the work and heal during a session. 

A session will generally consist of an art suggestion that your therapist will provide. It is completely your choice to work with said suggestion or to explore your own creative ideas. Your therapist may choose to start and end with a separate art activity based on what may help you best in a session. You are free to create quietly or express yourself and discuss your process and artwork while you are creating. The conversation does not simply have to be about your artwork. You are free to discuss what comes up for you in a session. After the artwork is created, 15 to 20 minutes are usually allotted to discuss the artwork and the process if it was not already done so. 

Art therapists are able to incorporate the same modalities used in traditional talk-based psychotherapy session with you during your art therapy session. These include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solutions Focused Brief Therapy  (SFBT), Emotions Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT), etc. 

Individual Expressive Arts Psychotherapy sessions run for 30 or 50 minutes for both adults and children. Sessions can be in-person or virtual. Art supplies are only included in in-person sessions. 

Your therapist provides a safe space in which you are able to explore your thoughts, feelings, and emotions via the creative process. This process allows you to focus on your healing journey and explore various topics, facilitating recall and by allowing the use of shapes, colours, elements, games, gestures, and body language to communicate in addition to the use of words.

Individual art therapy sessions cost:

$155.00 per 50 minute session and $77.50 per 30 minute session. 

A sliding scale is available for individuals who do not have insurance coverage.

Group Expressive Arts Psychotherapy sessions can either be drop-in sessions that you choose to join or occur in 4-6-session packages and can be in-person or virtual. They run for 1 hour and art supplies are provided during in-person sessions. 

A group session will have a specific theme and will help you and your fellow members explore your strengths and skills and how to best apply them in pre-determined activities. Groups are encouraged to build a sense of community and understanding. The universality of groups has helped multiple people feel less alone, learn skills and socialize at the same time!

$65.00 per person/hour for virtual and in person sessions. Art supplies are included only in in-person sessions. 

Expressive Arts Psychotherapy can also be used during couples therapy, family therapy, and workshops. Prices are available on our 'Services' page. 

All discussions in individual and group sessions are confidential. The necessary confidentiality limitations apply.