Art Wellness Studios & Clinic
A Proulx Foundation & CiiAT Initiative
The Art Wellness Studios & Clinic provides a full range of community-based supportive group art therapy to adult individuals with a focus on people who have serious and persistent mental health and substance use issues in the South Vancouver Island region.
Why we do what we do
Participation in artistic expression can provide an important avenue towards psychosocial rehabilitation, fostering wellness through the development of social, artistic, and problem-solving skills, while building self-confidence and initiative.
How it works
Island Health providers can make a referral to the program by:
1. Calling 250.419.7629, the external administrative line for AWSC. You will need to have the client name, phone number, email, and primary reason for referral, as well as a brief and general history of their health needs.
2. Emailing an electronic referral form to . If you do not already have the electronic AWSC referral form on hand, please request it through this email. The form is a fillable PDF.
Let us know if you’d like to speak to the intake clinician before we reach out to the client. Otherwise, the AWSC will arrange an intake session with them within a few days.
Entry to the program will be provided as soon as possible if the client is interested in the services and is an appropriate candidate.
Our Goals
- To promote a sense of self-confidence, empowerment, individuality, self-direction, hope and motivation
- To support participants to develop wellness self-management tools
- To facilitate participants’ transition to community and ongoing meaningful activity, and engaging in volunteering, art education, social enterprise or employment.
- To increase the continuity of services within MHSU
What we Provide
Centralized Connection for Referrals and Intakes
Centralized referrals and intakes will use the PF/CiiAT clinic phone line and Island Health AWSC email group, thus enabling Island Health personnel to receive prompt correspondence to inquiries and referrals, as well as book intake sessions.
Waitlist support via PF/CiiAT Virtual Art Therapy Clinic
One-to-One Sessions
Successful intakes to the art therapy programs may be offered the opportunity to participate in one-on-one sessions at the PF/CiiAT Virtual Art Therapy Clinic at no charge to the client while they await a place in the art therapy program (if this option is aligned with their treatment goals and clinic space permits).
Open Studio: In-person & Virtual
Maximum length of stay: 6 months. In a group setting, participants will explore a variety of art-making processes under the supervision of qualified art therapists whose role is to maintain safety and emotional support, as well as guidance with art-making techniques to expand the clients’ mode of expression. Open Studio will be offered weekly in-person as and when health guidelines permit.
Discharge and Community Transitions
Up to 3 months before participants are discharged from any of the art therapy programs, we will provide support and guidance through the Virtual Art Therapy Clinic with one-on-one discussions, goal setting sessions, and the sharing of resources/creative opportunities.
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