An appreciation post for students who joined us in the spring 2025 reopening of the TATI Student Art Therapy Centre!

Since 2020, the TATI Student Art Therapy Centre has been offering accessible, donation-based mental health services to the community. Formerly the TATI Online Clinic, we’re renamed the TATI Student Art Therapy Centre, because students’ dedication, creativity, and labour are at the heart of what makes our work possible. To learn more about the Centre’s work, please see this page.

Much appreciation to TATI’s 2025 summer intern, Elisa, from the Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Illustration program, for creating the following illustrated profiles of the students!

  • Amy Tschupruk (she/her), RP(Qualifying) Hey, I’m Amy. If you’re experiencing challenges from anxiety, grief, a difficult change in your life—or if you’re simply feeling stuck—you’re not alone. I’m here to support personal challenges while navigating an increasingly complex world. I have support work experience including long-term care, hospital, public school, and youth crisis text line. While recognizing my identity as a cisgendered settler of European descent, I practice with a commitment to anti-oppressive and trauma informed practice, acknowledging the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, systemic inequality, and privilege. I strive to create a space that is queer-friendly, inclusive, and actively anti-colonial, while remaining open to feedback and growth as I continue to learn and unlearn.
  • Cailtin MacLean (she/her), RP(Qualifying) Caitlin is thoughtful and compassionate, believing that creative expression can help us communicate when we don’t have the words. Using a person-centred, collaborative, and anti-oppressive approach, she works with individuals experiencing eating and body image issues, and varying emotional and mental health issues. Caitlin works with the client to create a comforting space where they can express and explore their emotions and experiences freely and openly.
  • Natalie Karmi (she/her) My journey into art therapy began with creating spaces to use art for mental well-being. Seeing its impact firsthand deepened my commitment to making creative expression accessible. I am passionate about supporting those who are curious about art therapy but have yet to experience its healing potential. Coming from a mixed background, I bring a unique perspective in understanding the complexities of navigating mental health in diverse cultural contexts. I use a client-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach, creating a safe and inclusive space. My work focuses on helping individuals connect with resources, build coping skills, and manage stressors. Through creative expression, I support clients in processing emotions, building resilience, and discovering new ways of understanding.
  • Nicole Wadden (she/her) I am a white, queer artist and student art therapist who strongly believes in the healing application of the art-making process. Art in connection to mental wellbeing is a practice I have employed throughout my lifetime while managing symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. I offer a client-centered approach to making a safe space for those looking to express themselves through art when they find words are just not enough.
  • Sarah Omar (she/her) I am dedicated to empowering individuals through creative expression, emotional resilience, and well-being. My therapeutic approach integrates anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and culturally humble practices, fostering an inclusive environment where clients feel seen and validated. At the core of my practice is a humanistic, client-centered approach, combining CBT-informed art therapy to design a personalized plan for each client’s journey. I have worked with individuals and groups facing challenges like anxiety, depression, and trauma, with a focus on refugees, newcomers, and immigrants. I aim to create a decolonized art therapy framework that prioritizes each client’s cultural and emotional experiences. In addition to English, I also offer therapy in Arabic for Arabic-speaking clients.
  • Theresa Slater (she/they) I’m Theresa Slater, an art therapy student committed to fostering self-acceptance, compassion, and mindfulness. Through trauma-informed, anti-oppressive approaches, I empower people to embrace their complexity, cultivate self-knowledge, and heal through self-expression. My work is grounded in a neuroqueer, queer-affirming perspective, and I support diverse populations in individual and group art therapy. I am passionate about creating a space where people can explore their inner worlds and transform their experiences into visual narratives.
  • Laken Burbidge (she/her) Laken brings a person-centered approach to her practice that honors the individuality of each client. She integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support clients towards greater mindfulness, emotional flexibility, and personal growth. Laken has a background in play therapy, particularly with children and adolescents living with developmental, mental health and physical disabilities, creating a safe, expressive space for their growth. Additionally, Laken has experience working with older adults in hospice settings facilitating art therapy groups to process complex emotions and find comfort and community. Laken’s aim is to use art as a pathway towards healing and self-discovery for each person she works with.