FAQ

Therapeutic Arts Coaching is the process of therapeutically using art to help people grow personally and develop better mental health. Oftentimes, when one encounters stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or any number of personal and mental health concerns, it can be hard to talk about it! The therapeutic arts process allows one to explore and express thoughts and feelings in a way that goes beyond words. Science has repeatedly demonstrated a vast amount of benefits to practicing creativity, and when that is combined with psychology, it can be a powerful tool for gaining insight, practicing mindfulness, and developing resiliency.

At RestArt Wellness, each session is designed to be personalized and focused on your specific needs and goals. In the initial session, we will use the time to get to know each other and define the objectives for our work together. Subsequent sessions will be entirely based on you, meaning that we will prioritize the issues, topics, or emotions you want to focus on. There are so many therapeutic art exercises and projects that are all designed to help you deal with whatever issues you want to tackle! You might choose a specific project to work on, and I may occasionally provide prompts to help you get started or "unstuck". We might spend time discussing your creations, how you are feeling, and how you can care for yourself as you work towards accomplishing your mental health goals. We may have sessions where very little talking happens and you focus your energy more on the art you are creating. We might use a variety of mediums, during which we may get messy with paints or clay, doodle in a notebook, explore body movement, or connect to music and song. That's all ok! This is your journey, and my goal is to provide you with the support and guidance you need to achieve your mental wellness goals.

Definitely not! This is designed to help individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their artistic abilities. RestArt Wellness takes a strengths-based, person-centered approach to mental health coaching, meaning I believe everyone inherently has what it takes to face life's challenges. I work with each client to identify their unique strengths and use those strengths to help them overcome any challenges they may be facing. Most of our sessions will involve art or other creative activities as a tool to help clients express themselves, but it is important to remember that there are NO rules to art-making. It is the process, not the product that matters. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their emotions, build resilience, and work toward their mental health goals, regardless of their artistic abilities.

This type of mental health coaching can be beneficial for anyone of any age that is looking to improve their mental health! Stress, anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, grief processing, aging issues, chronic illness, life transitions, relationship building, and team building are only some of the things we can work on together. Our time together can help provide support with personal insight, goal-setting, stress relief, self-care, coping skills, mindfulness, and cognitive health.

I provide individual coaching sessions, couples/relationship sessions (including parent/child), team building workshops, and support groups. Common issues dealt with in art therapy include anxiety, depression, grief, trauma recovery, life transitions, aging issues, identity issues, and many more! I offer these services in-person (Calgary and surrounding communities primarily, with few exceptions) or online via video conferencing. If you have any questions about specific situations or settings you would like me to provide services, feel free to contact me directly!

At RestArt Wellness, I'm happy to offer mobile sessions to clients in Calgary and the surrounding communities, where we can meet either at your house or at another location in the area, such as a coffee shop. Your comfort is important to me, and I want you to feel safe and relaxed wherever you choose to meet with me. My goal is to provide a convenient and comfortable environment for you to receive the support and guidance you need on your mental health journey.

Yes, absolutely! If you have supplies of your own that you would like to use, I'm happy to incorporate those into your sessions. However, I also offer the option to purchase a basic therapeutic arts kit custom-made for your interests and preferences. This kit can be used during our sessions to enhance your experience and support your wellness journey. Whether you choose to use your own supplies or purchase a kit from us, I will work with you to create a personalized approach that aligns with your unique needs and goals.

Definitely! Anything that you create during our sessions is yours to keep. Some clients like to compile their work into a therapeutic art journal to reflect on and see the progress they've made. Others may want to display their creation in their home or gift it to a loved one. Whatever you choose to do with it is completely up to you! My focus is on using art as a tool for healing and self-expression, so I encourage you to find a way to incorporate your creations into your personal journey towards wellness.

Great question! It's a big, and relatively new, area of mental health support. Below are some links to resources that I hope will help! Thirsty For Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdiVQqfXzDU