Empowering Growth Through Art
About Oak & Acorn
The name, “Oak & Acorn” reflects a therapeutic relationship that honours connection and growth. I also love that symbolically, the oak and the acorn can mean many things.
My art psychotherapy practice is part of a diverse team of talented healthcare practitioners at PureWellness in Owen Sound, Ontario. More about the team is available at https://purewellnessowensound.janeapp.com/
Therapy with me can also be booked through this website.
Private 1:1 sessions are available both in person and online.
Small group sessions for grief and bereavement are organized upon request.
Small group sessions on specific topics may be organized upon request.
About Me
I am genuine. I care. I want the best for my clients.
I have a Master’s level diploma in Art Therapy (DTATI) and am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and previously worked in education (BA, BEd) as an english teacher, guidance counsellor and a transition leader. I am a member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Practitioners (OAMHP).
I came into the field of art therapy and psychotherapy because I felt a strong desire to connect with people in a meaningful way that could empower them to navigate life’s challenges. I chose art therapy because I was drawn to the idea that it can be a powerful form of expression that lets one freely express and explore their feelings. Through my studies, I found that engaging in art therapy allowed me to create in ways that led me to dig deep and feel safe at the same time.
I hope for you to feel confident, in control and to feel supported.
Art Therapy Practice
Art therapy is a modality that is rooted in the belief that through art, an individual can not only express what they know that they feel, but they may also discover thoughts and feelings that they may not be fully aware of. As an art therapist, I will never tell you what something means–instead, I may ask questions that allow you to express your own ideas.
Like most psychotherapists, we will work together to develop a treatment plan to address issues that you know are important for you to explore. In a session, I may suggest an art “invitation” (which you can accept or decline) to lead to exploration. I will have a variety of art materials for you to choose from, including paint, pastels, natural clay, markers etc.,
You definitely DO NOT have to be a talented artist- what the final product looks like aesthetically does not matter at all. Art IN therapy means bravely taking steps to understand yourself and your journey towards your own goals. Sometimes it is the process that leads to insights and sometimes it is the final product that leads to seeing from a new perspective. Sometimes it is both.
While art therapy is my overarching approach, I do also implement other modalities like narrative therapy, positive psychology, humanistic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, emotion-focussed therapy.
My approach focuses mainly on these areas of personal development:
Anxiety
Depression
Self-esteem
Managing Change
Managing Stress
Grief and Bereavement
Neurodivergence
Acceptance
Living with a Life-Limiting or Chronic Illness
Without question, these years can be hard for a variety of reasons. My goal with this age group is to help youth navigate the expectations, experiences and decisions that can lead to stress, anxiety and high-risk situations & behaviours. Going to therapy does not mean that there is something wrong- it means that some things are right!
I feel confident in addressing the topics mentioned in the adult section as well as disordered eating and self-harm. However, while I am informed, I am not CBT or DBT certified. The approach taken with each individual is customized and eclectic, drawing on a variety of modalities that best suit the needs of the client.
I have always felt that it is important to be honest, fair and straightforward when working with clients, and children are no exception. They must be engaged in the process of identifying therapeutic goals and understand that while art therapy can be fun, it is NOT an art class. We sometimes have to talk about difficult things.
My focus with children includes:
Anxiety
Attachment
Managing Change
Grief and Bereavement
Self-Esteem
Belonging
Managing Neurodivergence
Living with a life-limiting or chronic illness
If you are considering art therapy for your child, kindly see the additional notes for children.
Confidentiality
A safe and trusting therapeutic relationship includes confidentiality. When I work with children and youth, I am open to a parent/caregiver intake meeting regarding the child or youth, and would encourage the presence of the client. After the intake meeting, everything discussed in therapy is confidential between the client and myself. After 6 sessions, a goal review session with a parent or caregiver may be booked and I strongly encourage the client to be present. At this point the client can share whatever they choose about their therapeutic experience. The conversation is guided by the therapist but the therapist will not share any confidential information without the child’s or youth’s consent.
There are specific instances when confidentiality may not be maintained:
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In the event that a client is at imminent risk of harming themselves or others, steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the client and others who may require protection.
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I would be obliged to report physical or sexual abuse or neglect to the Children’s Aid Society.
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If it came to light that a registered health care professional has sexually abused a patient or made inappropriate sexual remarks, I would be obligated to report the health care provider to their governing college. Your child’s name would not be disclosed without your written permission.
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A court ordered subpoena may require the sharing of records, (full or summary).
Note: If the Office of the Children’s Lawyer or Child Protection Services contacts me, I am not able to comment on custody or access questions. With parental consent, I would be able to provide a brief and general overview of recommendations regarding the well being of the child.
Other Special Projects
The Butterfly Bereavement Project
The Butterfly Bereavement Project began in 2022 when I, along with a colleague at Bethell Hospice, were tasked with the goal of spreading awareness to the local community about two important days in the month of November: National Grief and Bereavement Day and Children’s Awareness Grief Day.
The project invites individuals, both young and old, to personalize a vellum butterfly to honour their own grief experience as they remember their loved one. Each butterfly becomes a part of a commemorative art installation of butterflies that have been created as expressions of grief, love and loss.
Since 2022, over 3,500 people have honoured their loved ones and their own grief experiences by participating in the Butterfly Bereavement Project. The project grew quickly after the first year, and it is now a joint initiative of the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team Bereavement Working Group and Bethell Hospice. As the project leader and installation artist, I am incredibly grateful to be working with teams of professionals in care agencies and community organizations who have brought this initiative to their residents in such a powerful way.
The Bethell Hospice Art Hive
The Bethell Hospice Art Hive is another initiative that I co-founded with the support of the Bethell Hospice leadership team.Since late 2024 we have welcomed clients of Bethell Hospice who were either living with grief and bereavement or are caregivers, to engage in an afternoon of whimsical art making with others who are facing similar challenges. This informal group allows for those who attend to feel welcomed and to feel valued through their own sharing and listening to peers. I co-facilitate this group twice monthly and have found that clients not only enjoy the artmaking, but more importantly, they benefit from the company of others in this non-judgemental safe space.
Coming Soon! (Art) Making Space for Grief
(Art) Making Space for Grief is a guidebook for teenagers/young adults and therapists who are navigating grief. The guidebook has a number of art invitations which lead users to express what they are feeling as they move through some of the “tasks of grief”, (which have been defined and recognized by Teresa Rando and other researchers in the field). The guidebook also has a chapter on “the bumpy road of grief ” which touches on other grief experiences, like being in social situations or when your grief feels forgotten, and other topics.
Another chapter focuses on “art-making for self-care”.
I am excited to finish this project along with illustrator Rasa Morrison, and hope to have it available soon!
