TATI Student Art Therapy Centre

What does art therapy mean to us?

Art therapy creates generative space for honouring and connecting with emotional and embodied knowing.

Beyond simply combining psychotherapy and art-making, art therapy expands the accessibility of the therapeutic process by offering creative, alternative choices for expressions and communication. We facilitate connections with creativity and imagination for exploring the experiences of, and possibilities for, living and relating that are diverse, complex, and rich beyond words.

What does art therapy look like at the Centre?

Brief virtual arts-based psychotherapy (8-12 weekly sessions): Individual sessions facilitated by TATI practicum students, supervised by registered art therapists and psychotherapists / social workers.

Sessions focus on creative self-expressions, processing emotions, and skills-building on present-awareness, self-care, and / or problem-solving.

We can work with individuals who:

• are 16 years of age or older
• are residing within Canada (except Quebec)
• are looking to explore and work through non-urgent emotional concerns through arts-making
• have access to stable internet with webcam and microphone, and private space for sessions

We recognize that many emotional challenges may stem from experiences of violence, trauma, or systemic oppression and marginalization. Due to the short-term format of the art therapy sessions we offer, student art therapists would not be able to support individuals in unpacking or delving into the histories of trauma, but can support individuals in dealing with the effects of these experiences in the here and now.

All virtual sessions are hosted on Owl Practice, a psychotherapy practice management platform that is compliant with CRPO and Canadian privacy regulations.

Donation-based services:

Suggested donations are $10 or $20 per session. Donations go toward the administration and technology costs of the Centre, help us sustain our work, and contribute to accessible mental health services for others the community. Tax deductible receipts will be issued for donations.

What art materials do I need for art therapy sessions?

Participants don’t need special art supplies to take part in art therapy sessions. Student art therapists will work creatively with participants to use or upcycle materials that they have at home, as well as make suggestions for exploring other materials if the participants are interested.

How do I sign up?

1. Fill out the Contact Form below.
2. We will send you a Service Questionnaire from our secure platform Owl Practice to gather some information from you that will help us match you to a student art therapist.
3. After we receive your completed Service Questionnaire, we will schedule you with a skillful student art therapist for a 30-minute chat (aka initial consult) to see if art therapy is a good fit for you.
4. If you wish to proceed, the student art therapist will schedule the next sessions with you.

Contact us for self-referral

Questions?

Contact the Centre at centre@tati.on.ca.

Please note that the TATI Student Art Therapy Centre does not provide emergency or crisis services, and correspondences via email or Owl Practice are used for non-urgent administrative purposes only. If you require immediate support, please consider contacting one of the below services or your nearest emergency department.

• Toronto Distress Centres: 416 408-4357 or 408-HELP
• Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 416 863-0511; Toll-free: 1 866 863-0511
• Gerstein Crisis Centre: 416-929-5200
• Progress Place Warm Line: 416-960-9276 (6pm-12am ET)
• Toronto Community Crisis Services: 211 (ask for TCCS)

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Art Therapy Groups

We also periodically offer art therapy / arts for wellness groups initiated by students’ research projects or in collaboration with practitioners in our community.

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Past Art Therapy Groups & Programs

Below are art therapy groups and programs that were completed at the TATI Student Art Therapy Centre.