The Expressive Arts (EXA) is the guided exploration of art making and creation, with a host of different arts modalities like painting, music, drama, poetry, voice, and movement. 

It is based on the understanding that the process of creating, individually or together, engages and stimulates our senses, and can help people develop interpersonal skills, reduce stress and anxiety, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and access intuition and insight. Art making, Art exploration and Art reflection is proven to enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. 

I am a REACE. A Registered Expressive Arts Consultant + Educator. 

I facilitate art-making experiences. I refer to many of my workshops as ARTSafaris. I am your guide as we go on a journey together with mindful attention to playful exploration and impulse into the wilds of your imagination. I am your experienced ally and compassionate witness.

I am not a therapist. I do not diagnose, test or analyze creative work. 

The practice of decentering intentionally takes focus away from your stressors and into the present tactile act of creating.

No previous art(s) experience is necessary.

The only pre-requisite is a curious mind and a playful spirit.

It is a “low skill, high sensitivity” experience. So no worries the pressure is off. No need to worry about producing a Van Gogh. This is not paint night. This is all about surrendering the need to have a finished product while giving permission for your innate creative self to deep dive into process. You don’t need to make a work of art, you need to make the art … work for you. It’s art play with intent and while it may not be therapy, it is frequently ‘therapeutic”. 

I provide a safe space for you to show up, breathe, decompress, be yourself, release stress and tension and enjoy some creative adventuring.

Let the Art work for you…

It is through these creative experiences that transitions occur ⚘

WARNING: May cause feelings of joy and release

* Decentering is described as ‘a process through which one is able to step outside of one’s immediate experience, thereby changing the very nature of that experience’ (Safran and Segal 1990, Interpersonal Process in Cognitive Therapy, p. 117)