The CiiAT faculty & staff offer decades of clinical experience and diverse perspectives.
Directors and Managers
Cheryl-Ann Webster, RCAT
Cheryl-Ann Webster is the Executive Director, faculty member, and student advisor at CiiAT. Under her leadership, CiiAT has built significantly on its existing online footprint. She has devoted her time centralizing the learning experience to be an inclusive, accessible, e-learning environment, which is as close to an in-person classroom experience as one can manage online. She works closely with prospective students exploring the different programs available at CiiAT.
Cheryl-Ann holds a BA Honours in Culture & Communications from Lancaster University. She is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and has been a Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers since 2008. She has over 20 years of experience as a therapeutic artist and is a Registered Canadian Art Therapist.
She is the artist and creator of the family-friendly Beautiful Women Project, an exhibit of 120 life-sized clay sculptures of real women from ages 19-91. The exhibit aims to promote body confidence and raise awareness on the impact of body-shaming. It has been deemed a "revelation of truth" and has been showcased to over 70,000 people through exhibits and 400 speaking events.
Cheryl-Ann blends her passion for learning, creative arts, and her interest in human dynamics to provide a deep learning experience for students, effective one-on-one art therapy sessions in her private practice, and group sessions for her audiences. She believes art saved her life. “Art is the voice of our soul: at times it sings, at times it screams, but it always needs to be heard.”
For more information about Cheryl-Ann’s work, please visit her website: www.cherylannwebster.com
Michelle Winkel, RCAT
Michelle Winkel, MA, MFT, ATR, REAT, RCAT
CiiAT Clinical Director
Michelle Winkel is an art therapist, trained facilitator, and supervisor with twenty years of experience working directly with groups, families, and individuals.
Since 1999, Michelle has used art therapy with businesses and organizations in group settings. Michelle has taught art therapy at Loyola Marymount University, IPATT in Bangkok, BCSAT in British Columbia, and has served as the Executive Director of the B.C. School of Art Therapy. As a supervisor at a local school agency in California for five years, she co-designed and implemented a reflective practice program that worked with the Child Protective Agency and other agencies in the area to improve supervision, performance, and morale of front-line staff.
Michelle’s credentials include a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Registered Art Therapist in North America as well as Registered Canadian Art Therapist. From 2004-2005, she held a fellowship in Infant-Parent Mental Health from Harvard Children’s Hospital. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Art Therapy Association.
Diane Irvine
Diane Irvine is the Academic Manager at CiiAT and comes from a varied background in healthcare and education. She started her career in the dental industry which lead the way to an academic career in post-secondary education and administration. She was a practicing registered dental hygienist for 17 years, holds a degree in Health Administration and is a Certified Adult Educator. She is an educator at heart and is passionate about personal development and lifelong learning.
On a personal level, Diane is a wife, mother and grandmother and spends much of her spare time with her family. Originally from Northern Ontario, she has recently relocated to British Columbia and is enthusiastically enjoying all the natural beauty that BC has to offer. She loves to paddle board, hike and spend time as much time as possible in the great outdoors.
Amber Channell, RCAT
I am a Registered Art Therapist with 20+ years of experience working in a variety of settings, including a women's shelter, a group home, a hospital and private practice. The majority of my art therapy experience has been within a school division, where I had the opportunity to work with over 700 children and adolescents through individual sessions, art therapy groups and classroom presentations. Most recently I took on the role of Clinical Manager of a private practice, where I provided supervision and professional development to practicing therapists. I have never strayed from my passion for art therapy, and now I am thrilled to be a part of CiiAT, where I can pass on my experience to new art therapy students and therapeutic arts practitioners.
Fantastic Faculty
Amber Channell, RCAT
I am a Registered Art Therapist with 20+ years of experience working in a variety of settings, including a women's shelter, a group home, a hospital and private practice. The majority of my art therapy experience has been within a school division, where I had the opportunity to work with over 700 children and adolescents through individual sessions, art therapy groups and classroom presentations. Most recently I took on the role of Clinical Manager of a private practice, where I provided supervision and professional development to practicing therapists. I have never strayed from my passion for art therapy, and now I am thrilled to be a part of CiiAT, where I can pass on my experience to new art therapy students and therapeutic arts practitioners.
Oona McClure, RCAT
Oona McClure has deep respect for artistic communication and is passionate about celebrating the gifts
of the healing arts. She views art-making processes as enriching places for inquiry,
empowerment, imagination, comfort, and relational connection. Her education, professional
experience, and comprehensive skill set bridge the spheres of arts-based therapy and
community arts programming.
As an art therapist and founder of Hearten Art Therapy & Creative Wellness, Oona delivers
engaging arts-based therapy in private practice and in partnership with local community
programs. Oona fosters an environment where the unique stories of each client are honoured
and where confidence, resiliency, and healing can roam.
Oona has spent much of their career working with children and young adults in group and 1:1
settings. They have extensive experience facilitating groups and using arts-based therapy to
address anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, attachment, neurodiversity, and complex mental
health issues.
Oona’s roles at CiiAT are diverse and include being the site supervisor at the Art Wellness
Studios and Clinic program (based out of the Eric Martin Pavilion at the Royal Jubilee Hospital
in Victoria, BC), providing clinical supervision to students and facilitating APD courses.
Oona is a graduate of the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and a Registered Canadian Art
Therapist.
Oona lives in Victoria, BC on the unceded Coast Salish Territory of the lək̓wəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ
nations. She is grateful to live, learn, play, make art, and raise her family on these beautiful
lands.
Sarah Bradley, RCAT
Sarah Bradley, BA, DipATh, MA, BCATR, RCC
After completing high school, Sarah Bradley attended art college. She didn't aspire to be a "successful artist" but was fascinated by the 'person behind the painting' and the way less conscious material became evident through art. After arriving in Victoria in the late 70's, she discovered Kay Collis' Art Therapy Department at the Victoria Mental Health Centre. She trained as an art therapist with Kay and went on to participate in the BC School of Art Therapy for many years.
For the past 2 decades, Sarah has utilised art therapy every day as she works with children, youth, and families who have experienced abuse or relationship violence. She has also completed extensive training in the use of somatic approaches to therapy. Visual art is her raison d'etre and she also loves music and dance.
Kim O’Leary, RCAT
Kim O’Leary was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario and moved west to Edmonton, Alberta to pursue a diploma in Child and Youth Care Counselling. In her work with youth, she was introduced to the use of art therapy and psychodrama in working with groups. Her interest in working directly with people was strengthened through her completion of a Bachelor degree in Social Work at Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario and she has been registered to practice through the Alberta College and subsequently the BC College of Social Workers since 1995. Her Social Work training provided her with a foundation of understanding and skill in the areas of structural and anti-oppressive practice as she gained a diversity of experience working in non-profit, institutional care, psychiatric care and private practice.
Inspired to explore the intersection of healing, human creativity and spirituality, in 2009 Kim completed a Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality degree with a specialization in Art Therapy through St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton, Alberta. At the same time, she completed an Expressive Arts Apprenticeship through the World Arts Organization and pursued additional training whereby she achieved certification as a Hakomi Therapist. Since coming to Vancouver Island in 2011, she completed training to support her designation as a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner. Balancing between teaching and her private practice, she continues to pursue post-graduate studies in the area of developmental trauma and build her capacity to support individuals and community in the use of sensory motor art therapy techniques.
Heidi Argyle, RCAT
Heidi Argyle, MA, RCAT, RP (She/Hers) has always worked a little off the beaten path, finding new and expressive ways to offer therapy and ideas to people across Turtle Island.
Heidi’s work started in developmental services, crisis, long-term care, and concurrent disorders. These experiences fostered a passion for understanding the many creative pathways people take throughout life. Currently, she works in private practice with teens, youth, and adults. Many of whom present with borderline personality disorder (BPD), neurodivergence, sexuality or gender questions – all of which Heidi is happy to explore with a never-ending sense of curiosity!
Heidi is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT), sex therapist and kink-knowledgeable therapist. A graduate of the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI, 2015), Martin Luther University (MA, 2018), and the holder of many additional trainings. Heidi is also the current Education Director with the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA).
Rebecca MacLeod, RSW
Rebecca MacLeod believes creativity is a core component of health and wellness. As an advocate that creativity lives both within the arts as well as in all aspects of our daily lives, she strives to support students and clients to live out their inherent creativity. After completing her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Calgary she became a Registered Social Worker and supported youth, families, and parents in various settings. Now Rebecca enjoys dairy farming with her husband and raising their growing family. In addition, she currently provides individual art therapy online and pre/post natal art therapy groups for women.
Amy Lister
Amy Lister MA, DTATI, RP(Qualifying), PCC, OCT
Amy brings her years of experience as a leadership coach, an educator, an organizational development consultant, and her background in the expressive arts to her therapeutic work, supporting people with navigating change, loss, and transition across their lifespan.
Her passion is facilitating the creative process as a way to tap into embodied wisdom. In her practice, she helps people explore and integrate pivotal transition experiences in life and work so they can courageously live in alignment with their values while expanding their capacity for caring for themselves and the wellbeing of the planet. She is continuously seeking opportunities to collaborate, reimagine systems, reconnect with Nature and co-create ways of knowing, relating and being that inspire, nourish and sustain life.
Amy holds degrees in Outdoor & Experiential Education and Religious Studies from Queens University; a Master's in Curriculum, Teaching & Learning focused on Holistic & Aesthetic Education (OISE/ UofT); and a post-graduate certificate in Executive Coaching (Royal Roads University). Most recently, Amy graduated from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI), and through her private practice, she is supporting individuals, children, adults and families as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and Art Therapist. Her research focused on therapeutic presence in online art therapy, and she hopes to continue exploring ways to nurture experiences of interconnectivity in our hybrid world. She is the Director of Membership of the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) and is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP); the Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP); the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT); and, is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF).
When not working as a therapist, coach, facilitator, or leadership consultant, Amy enjoys being creative, learning about living sustainably, engaging in social/environmental activism and spending time with her family.
More information: https://amylister.ca/about-amy-lister
Sharona Bookbinder, RCAT
Sharona is an Organizational Development & Leadership Associate at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She has also been an Art Psychotherapist for 28 years has specialized in geriatric, dementia, cancer care, and palliation. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Sharona completed her Doctorate in Leadership research, with a focus on the business of healthcare, stakeholder relations, and leadership; and has her Masters of Business Administration specializing in Innovation Leadership. She had also completed Post-MBA certificates in Social Enterprise and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Business. Sharona has experience in curriculum design and implementation of health leadership competencies within an anti-oppressive and cultural humility framework. She is a creative problem solver and critical thinker with extensive knowledge of the health care field, having worked with internal and external partners. Sharona is pleased to be teaching at The Toronto Art Therapy Institute, Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy, Winnipeg Holistic Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, and guest lecturing at the University of Toronto.
Aditi Kaul, RCAT
Aditi Kaul, BA,MA,UNESCO-CID Grade 5 DMT, RCAT
After completing her Masters in Psychology from The Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai and her Grade 5 UNESCO and Council of International Dance certified Movement Therapy course; she began working as an Expressive Arts Based Therapist in Fortis Healthcare, New Delhi; India. She has been running the expressive arts based therapy programme across the country for Fortis Healthcare since 2013.
Aditi discovered her love for the arts and art therapy (in spite of being asked to leave her art class for lack of skill/perfection in class 7) when she attended a workshop on poetry, movement & art therapy by an organization working with survivors of trafficking and abuse in 2010 which was the most powerful, overwhelming and transforming experience that allowed her to actively push to train in art therapy with a focus on trauma work. She has worked passionately to bring art therapy in India to clinical settings and now Fortis is a hospital chain with the largest mental health care and art therapy team in the country! Prior to this she worked through university and after for 4 years with The YP Foundation, a not-for-profit organization working with young people on enabling leadership, with issues ranging from education and healthcare to SRHR as a project head for Blending Spectrum (children living in the streets/slum dwellings on health education life skills and mental health using the arts).
In 2020, she graduated from the CiiAT Clinical Art Therapy Diploma Program and is currently working towards registration as an art therapist.
She works with a range of clients including working with persons diagnosed with trauma, anxiety, depressive disorders, disorders of childhood, adolescents as well as stresses of day to day life using psychotherapeutic techniques including visual art, movement, writing, storytelling, play, and music. The art therapy team under her leadership works extensively with in-patients. In health, psychology plays a pivotal role where they work directly with patients admitted for physical health conditions and in tertiary care in collaboration with other medical departments conducting arts-based support groups, therapeutic groups (breast cancer, dialysis, pediatric oncology, burns and trauma), palliative care, grief work, and rehabilitative work with patients in recovery.
She has done many preventive mental health workshops with schools, colleges and NPOs as well as capacity building workshops across the country and has been teaching "Expressive Arts in Clinical Practice" for the last 6 years in collaboration with UNESCO and the Council of International Dance, amongst other short term courses. She has also spoken on mental health and art therapy at forums including the WHO, AIIMS, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Youth Ki Awaaz, Youth for Mental Health, Jindal University, Delhi University, Dhempe University Goa, Hope B Lit, Music Basti and CMTAI, Save The Children and TedXJMC.
She has also co-authored and published two life skills books with Macmillan and is a contributor to the book "Virtual Art Therapy in Research & Practice" published by Routledge. In addition, Aditi has written articles for various newspapers, e-journals, and she was featured on a series of podcasts with Habits Matter, Empathy4You and Mind U – My Upchaar on mental health, art therapy and wellbeing. Aditi can be seen featured if numerous social media live streams and e-panels about mental health.
Monica Hinrichs, RCAT
The many places and stories of my mixed cultural background have exposed me to different cultures, views, and beliefs that have greatly enriched my life and ultimately influenced my career in clinical practice first and art therapy after.
I am by trade a Registered Social Worker with three decades of experience and practice in mental health. I have graduated as an Art Therapist from CiiAT, and I am currently a Registered Art Therapist with CATA.
I have developed many specialties during my long-standing career ranging from Attachment Informed clinical practice to supporting a wide range of mental health related issues during the prenatal-adolescence period.
My many concurring years of after-hours crisis work have also exposed me to human suffering throughout the life span, promoting personal awareness in my role as clinician and art therapist. I am dedicated to the use of art therapy to enable the unsayable to be said, the unmentionable to be mentioned, the unforgettable to be held.
I will be forever grateful to my CiiAT family for the great gift of art therapy that I received, and I use it by promoting creative expression in my work with clients, inspiring other clinicians and advocating for art therapy in my community.
When I don’t work or study, I am a dedicated mother and grandmother. I love nature and mixed media art.
Chelsea Howard, RCAT
As a teenager, Chelsea Howard decided that she wanted to become an Art Therapist, and although the journey was by no means direct, she is now practicing her dream job! Since receiving her Post-Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy from the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, she has worked with people from all stages and phases of life through private practice as well as through different agencies in the Vancouver Island community.
She strongly identifies as an Art Therapist and feel it is in alignment with her way of being in the world. Creativity has always served as her practice of wellness and self-exploration, so it felt natural to enter an area of work where she could support others to do the same.
When Chelsea is not in her role of Art Therapist, she is spending time with her human and animal family, and exploring the incredible natural world around us.
Frances Bryant-Scott, RCAT
Frances Bryant-Scott, MSW, DipATh, BCATR
Frances (Franny) Bryant-Scott is a compassionate and playful Canadian artist, Art Therapist, and arts-based interfaith spiritual director and coach living on the island of Crete in Greece.
After completing a BA in Comparative Religions, she graduated with a Masters in Social Work in 1989. Feeling scraped raw by the work, she soon left to follow more artistic and manual pursuits such as weaving, costume making, and furniture arts. It wasn’t until decades later that she understood what had been missing from the work (in addition to a lack of trauma-informed theory and brain science) was the grounding and healing element of art - both for herself as a practitioner and her clients.
Franny re-entered the therapeutic field a decade ago through bereavement work at Victoria Hospice and has a special interest in deepening the conversation about death in our death-phobic culture. Ever since she created objects and rituals of remembrance for wild birds and family pets as a small child, she has intuitively grasped the transformative power of art to help us hold both the beauty and suffering in our lives. She studied Art Therapy at the BC School of Art Therapy, graduating in 2012, and served for seven years on the Board of Directors of the BC Art Therapy Association in the positions of Student Representative, Secretary, Vice President, and President.
Creativity and spirituality now inform every aspect of her work whether it’s her sculptural felt and hand-built clay art, or running workshops on using art as a spiritual practice, facilitating conversations about death, or working one on one with clients who want to attend to their deepest truth.
Chantelle Smith, RCAT
Chantelle Smith, MA, RCC, RCAT
Chantelle Smith is passionate about art, learning and mentoring. She completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria and her Post Master's Certificate in Art Therapy from the B.C. School of Art Therapy concurrently in 2011.
Chantelle's focus has always been working with and supporting children, youth and families, and from 2011 - 2019, she worked as a Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Clinician with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). In 2019, she became a CYMH Policy Consultant with MCFD, and is now using her experience and knowledge of working with children, youth and families as a clinician to help inform and develop relevant policies to support clinical practice.
Since 2016, Chantelle has also been a volunteer with Inspire Health, creating and delivering art therapy workshops for patients impacted by cancer.
Patricia Williams, RCAT
Patricia Williams, SW, Dip. ATh., MA, RCAT
Patricia obtained her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology in 2016 and graduated as an art therapist from the B.C. School of Art Therapy in 2011. She became a registered social worker in 2002, trained as a play therapist with the Canadian Association for Play Therapy and completed a Certificate in Visual Arts in 2007. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Alberta.
Patricia has worked in a variety of national and international settings with diverse populations over the past twenty years. She has provided services within the school system, in private and community agencies, and in her private practice, Heartwork Integrated Art Therapy Services. She has a special interest in attachment and the inherent suitability of art therapy for treating attachment-based issues. Patricia is a qualified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC). She received her training directly from Kristen Neff and Christopher Germer, the developers of MSC, and is interested in how mindfulness and self-compassion can be integrated into the art therapy process.
Patricia presented at the Canadian Art Therapy Conference in 2016 on the topic of cultivating compassion for the earth. She identifies as a Metis woman and her work as a contemporary fused glass artist also reflects her deep love of the natural world, which is a central value of her cultural heritage. Her many interests include conflict resolution, play therapy, children and divorce, suicide intervention, neurobiology, and eating disorders.
Amazing Administration
Sarah Chaplin-Johal
Sarah Chaplin-Johal is located in Victoria, BC, and loves all that Vancouver Island has to offer. With a background in administrative support and a long history in retail, she brings with her a love for people and service. After many years of being comfortable in the retail industry, Sarah decided that she wanted to seek a career that provided her with a deeper purpose. As a part of CiiAT, Sarah enjoys helping people along their art therapy journey and is inspired by the team she works alongside. In her free time, you can find her reading, listening to podcasts, or laughing at her own jokes.
Maddy Topnik
Maddy is the Virtual Art Therapy Clinic (VATC)’s Administrative Assistant. She came to CiiAT as a certified Medical Office Assistant (MOA) and is now also a trained Therapeutic Arts Practitioner. Maddy aims to support clients and practicum students in the VATC with an exceptional level of care. With her interest in art therapy and advocacy for mental health, she is grateful for the opportunity to support each student on their journey to becoming an art therapist.
Sam Arends
I believe in empathetic and comprehensive care, which you’ll appreciate through my understanding and patient nature.
After graduating with Honours from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, where I earned my Medical Unit Clerk Certificate, I acquired experience as the first point of contact in the public and private health sector and the hospitality, legal, and animal assisting field.
I’m passionate about body positivity and am an animal advocate. I’m an active member of the “Eff your Beauty Standards” body-positive movement on social media. I also have numerous hours of volunteer time at several animal shelters in Alberta.
When I’m not in the office, you can find me wandering the hoodoos in Drumheller Alberta using my amateur photography skills or learning a new way of expressing myself artistically. I’m also a fan of silent movies, astrology, Yoga Nidra meditations, and discovering new music.
Clinical Crew
Michelle Winkel, RCAT
Michelle Winkel, MA, MFT, ATR, REAT, RCAT
CiiAT Clinical Director
Michelle Winkel is an art therapist, trained facilitator, and supervisor with twenty years of experience working directly with groups, families, and individuals.
Since 1999, Michelle has used art therapy with businesses and organizations in group settings. Michelle has taught art therapy at Loyola Marymount University, IPATT in Bangkok, BCSAT in British Columbia, and has served as the Executive Director of the B.C. School of Art Therapy. As a supervisor at a local school agency in California for five years, she co-designed and implemented a reflective practice program that worked with the Child Protective Agency and other agencies in the area to improve supervision, performance, and morale of front-line staff.
Michelle’s credentials include a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Registered Art Therapist in North America as well as Registered Canadian Art Therapist. From 2004-2005, she held a fellowship in Infant-Parent Mental Health from Harvard Children’s Hospital. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Art Therapy Association.
Amber Channell, RCAT
I am a Registered Art Therapist with 20+ years of experience working in a variety of settings, including a women's shelter, a group home, a hospital and private practice. The majority of my art therapy experience has been within a school division, where I had the opportunity to work with over 700 children and adolescents through individual sessions, art therapy groups and classroom presentations. Most recently I took on the role of Clinical Manager of a private practice, where I provided supervision and professional development to practicing therapists. I have never strayed from my passion for art therapy, and now I am thrilled to be a part of CiiAT, where I can pass on my experience to new art therapy students and therapeutic arts practitioners.
Oona McClure, RCAT
Oona McClure has deep respect for artistic communication and is passionate about celebrating the gifts
of the healing arts. She views art-making processes as enriching places for inquiry,
empowerment, imagination, comfort, and relational connection. Her education, professional
experience, and comprehensive skill set bridge the spheres of arts-based therapy and
community arts programming.
As an art therapist and founder of Hearten Art Therapy & Creative Wellness, Oona delivers
engaging arts-based therapy in private practice and in partnership with local community
programs. Oona fosters an environment where the unique stories of each client are honoured
and where confidence, resiliency, and healing can roam.
Oona has spent much of their career working with children and young adults in group and 1:1
settings. They have extensive experience facilitating groups and using arts-based therapy to
address anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, attachment, neurodiversity, and complex mental
health issues.
Oona’s roles at CiiAT are diverse and include being the site supervisor at the Art Wellness
Studios and Clinic program (based out of the Eric Martin Pavilion at the Royal Jubilee Hospital
in Victoria, BC), providing clinical supervision to students and facilitating APD courses.
Oona is a graduate of the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and a Registered Canadian Art
Therapist.
Oona lives in Victoria, BC on the unceded Coast Salish Territory of the lək̓wəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ
nations. She is grateful to live, learn, play, make art, and raise her family on these beautiful
lands.
Sarah Bradley, RCAT
Sarah Bradley, BA, DipATh, MA, BCATR, RCC
After completing high school, Sarah Bradley attended art college. She didn't aspire to be a "successful artist" but was fascinated by the 'person behind the painting' and the way less conscious material became evident through art. After arriving in Victoria in the late 70's, she discovered Kay Collis' Art Therapy Department at the Victoria Mental Health Centre. She trained as an art therapist with Kay and went on to participate in the BC School of Art Therapy for many years.
For the past 2 decades, Sarah has utilised art therapy every day as she works with children, youth, and families who have experienced abuse or relationship violence. She has also completed extensive training in the use of somatic approaches to therapy. Visual art is her raison d'etre and she also loves music and dance.
Kim O’Leary, RCAT
Kim O’Leary was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario and moved west to Edmonton, Alberta to pursue a diploma in Child and Youth Care Counselling. In her work with youth, she was introduced to the use of art therapy and psychodrama in working with groups. Her interest in working directly with people was strengthened through her completion of a Bachelor degree in Social Work at Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario and she has been registered to practice through the Alberta College and subsequently the BC College of Social Workers since 1995. Her Social Work training provided her with a foundation of understanding and skill in the areas of structural and anti-oppressive practice as she gained a diversity of experience working in non-profit, institutional care, psychiatric care and private practice.
Inspired to explore the intersection of healing, human creativity and spirituality, in 2009 Kim completed a Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality degree with a specialization in Art Therapy through St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton, Alberta. At the same time, she completed an Expressive Arts Apprenticeship through the World Arts Organization and pursued additional training whereby she achieved certification as a Hakomi Therapist. Since coming to Vancouver Island in 2011, she completed training to support her designation as a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner. Balancing between teaching and her private practice, she continues to pursue post-graduate studies in the area of developmental trauma and build her capacity to support individuals and community in the use of sensory motor art therapy techniques.
Heidi Argyle, RCAT
Heidi Argyle, MA, RCAT, RP (She/Hers) has always worked a little off the beaten path, finding new and expressive ways to offer therapy and ideas to people across Turtle Island.
Heidi’s work started in developmental services, crisis, long-term care, and concurrent disorders. These experiences fostered a passion for understanding the many creative pathways people take throughout life. Currently, she works in private practice with teens, youth, and adults. Many of whom present with borderline personality disorder (BPD), neurodivergence, sexuality or gender questions – all of which Heidi is happy to explore with a never-ending sense of curiosity!
Heidi is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT), sex therapist and kink-knowledgeable therapist. A graduate of the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI, 2015), Martin Luther University (MA, 2018), and the holder of many additional trainings. Heidi is also the current Education Director with the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA).
Shona Collison, RCAT
Hanna Bincik
Hanna Bincik is a recent graduate of the CiiAT Art Psychotherapy Diploma Program. She has always had a strong desire to support others and reduce the stigma around mental health in a variety of contexts. Her research background and training through her master’s in clinical psychology informs her person-centered approach to art therapy and her desire to make mental health support services more accessible. As a student, she was grateful for the opportunity to work with clients in the VATC and is excited to support other students as they complete their practicums in her role as Assistant Site Supervisor.
Board of Directors
Program Advisory Committee
Director Emeritus
Lucille Proulx, RCAT
Lucille is a published Registered Art Therapist in both Canada and the U.S. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from Concordia University. She is the past Executive Director of the B.C. School of Art Therapy and is an Honorary Life Member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association and L'Association des arts-thérapeutes du Québec.
With over 50 years of experience working with children and parents in therapy, Lucille conducts specialized training workshops across the world.
https://www.lucilleproulx.com/