The
Healing Hearts
Club
Welcome to The Healing Hearts Club
located in the heart of Fernwood, Victoria B.C.
Through the practice of Expressive Arts Therapy, you will have the opportunity to tend to your inner being in an inclusive and holistic therapeutic environment that invites exploration, embodiment and creativity into the healing journey.
A space for cultivating the calm in the chaos to support and regulate your nervous system.
A space for discovering, understanding and exploring the spectrum of who you are.
A space for magic to unfold.
Sam Brocklebank
At the centre of my approach as an Expressive Arts Therapist is a passion for working in collaboration with my clients to improve their sense of self and overall wellbeing.
By providing a safe space to be seen and heard in the midst of life’s challenges, I will encourage you to be curious in the creative process of self expression during our time together.
In my practice, I use different creative access points to help guide you into deeper self inquiry, such as mindfulness, writing, guided meditation, visual art making, movement, and storytelling.
My work is guided by my belief that we all have inherent value and purpose, and it is through connection and reflection that we can continue to unfold and better understand ourselves as we experience life.
With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and post graduate Expressive Arts Therapy training, I come to this work with 10 years experience in mental health & substance use services, working with both youth and adults.
My services include one-to-one in person and online therapy, as well as group workshops that are hosted throughout the year.
Expressive Arts Therapist
(ExAT), OEATA Member (#266)
Expressive Arts Therapy
Expressive Arts Therapy is an arts-based approach to therapy that focuses on individual creative expression and the process of exploring and engaging with art materials to support wellbeing.
Different art forms will be woven into the therapeutic process, using sensory exploration, movement, writing or visual art along with mindfulness practices and opportunities for dialogue throughout.
Accessing and exploring different elements of self expression supports greater understanding and connection to self, and helps build knowledge and capacity for navigating the world.
Whether you identify as creative or not, there is no level of artistic experience needed or required.
Expressive Arts Therapy can support with:
- engaging in mind-body connection
- self-discovery; purpose and meaning
- mending self-esteem and self-trust mindfulness
and nervous system regulation
- developing and exploring creative capacity
- communication and self-expression
- dealing with feelings of anxiety, sadness and overwhelm
About Me
I am a certified Expressive Arts Therapist (ExAT), registered with the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA). I completed the two year postgraduate certificate program in Expressive Arts Therapy through Langara College in Vancouver, B.C. I also studied Psychology at Brock University in St. Catharines, ON, graduating with an honours BA.
Professionally outside of my private practice, I have worked in social services for over 10 years, providing care to others through crisis intervention, mental health first aid, substance use concerns and withdrawal support, harm reduction, counselling and family mediation, goal planning, and intensive multidisciplinary team collaboration.
In my personal life, I engage with creativity as a means for my own wellbeing. I am a self-taught visual artist, an avid writer and reader, and have used the practice of expressive movement my entire life. I also deeply enjoy connecting with nature, and bringing mindfulness into my day to day routines.
My Qualifications :
-Professional member of the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (since 2023)
-Walking Between DBT & Art Therapy Core Mindfulness workshop with Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (2024)
-Addiction Care and Treatment Course (ACTOC) with UBC (2023)
-Partners for Youth Empowerment, Creative Facilitation Training (2023)
-Drawing Change, Visual Facilitation Workshop with Sam Bradd (2021)
-Willpower Institute 6-Month Meditation Training (2021)
-Mindfulness-Based Substance Abuse Treatment for Adolescents, Centre for Adolescent Studies (2019)
-Creating a Working Alliance Course, Athabasca University (2016)
Work With Me
I offer individual ExAT Therapy virtually and in-person for teens (16+) and adults in a beautiful creative studio right in the heart of Fernwood, Victoria.
My rate is $130 per 60 minute session.
A sliding scale rate ($75-120) is offered, please inquire if this is something that would make accessing care accessible to you.
A reduced rate is also available for Expressive Arts Therapy students.
The studio boosts multiple spaces for therapeutic work to take place, welcoming divergent minds, creatives, and those who simply appreciate being outside the box. Upstairs the loft hosts a space for a warm cup of tea and conversation, whereas the main floor welcomes creation and movement on a slightly larger scale.
My services are not currently eligible for insurance coverage.
Get in touch
To book an appointment please contact me by email
thehealingheartsclub@gmail.com