Therapeutic Arts is a group therapy program that utilizes art-making to help individuals combat mental and emotional challenges. The creative process can foster self-esteem and self-awareness, promote insight, and support cognitive functions, among other benefits for wellbeing. Join the Markham Arts Council for small group sessions on Coping with Change and Finding Calm during Chaos!
These sessions are conducted virtually throughout the year, led by a registered Art Therapist. This provides participants with opportunities to express, explore and understand their emotions by using various art mediums.
First session is Thursday, May 30 – 10:30 – 11:30am EDT, conducted online.
Janice LeBlanc is a Registered Art Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist, Certified Trauma Specialist, and EMDR Therapist. She has over 20 years of clinical experience working with those who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse, motor vehicle accidents, and domestic violence, as well as individuals who experience mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She has extensive experience working with individuals with Special Needs such as ADHD, Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Janice has specialized training in Art Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy and is a national speaker on self-care for professionals, anxiety in children and youth, and coping with chronic illness. She works with all walks of life including children, youth, adults, and seniors, and is also a retired Secondary School Educator.
As an Expressive Arts Facilitator and Expressive Arts Therapist in Training, I believe that art, sound, movement, words, and play offer great potential for healing and reconnection with self. I am currently a student of Expressive Arts Therapy at the CREATE Institute in Toronto, and have also completed a certificate in Art and Trauma. I have turned to art through so many difficult life experiences – often without even realizing it. My role is to gently guide, work with, and empower individuals in their release of old programs and traumas. Often we do not need words. Without a doubt a space can be made by working with colour, or sounds, tiny movements, our breath. There are many ways to heal our emotional wounds. As an Artist: I am a passionate creator who is learning to share what she creates. I am full of ideas and always working towards releasing judgements of my own creations. I continuously circle back to the beauty and authenticity of intuitive and abstract expressionist art – not focusing on what I see, but on how I feel – how feelings and energy can be interpreted in shape, texture, colour and line.
Carah is an Art Therapist and Registered Psychotherapist. She has been working as an art therapist for almost 20 years. She also has completed a degree in Recreation Therapy. As a therapist, she has worked with The Children’s Aid Society, The Toronto District School Board, East Metro Youth Services, North York Woman’s Shelter, The City of Toronto, Career Quest, Small Wonders, and Regesh. As a trainer, she has led corporate workshops for the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Living Arts Centre, and Harbourfront Centre.
MAC acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We acknowledge the communities in circle. The North, West, South and Eastern directions, and Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa, and the current treaty holders Mississauga’s of the Credit peoples. We share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to ensure the dish is never empty and to restore relationships that are based on peace, friendship, and trust. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.
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