Amber Channell, RCAT, is the Managing Director of Clinical Services at CiiAT. She is a seasoned Registered Art Therapist, with over two decades of rich experience across diverse settings, such as women's shelters, group homes, hospitals, and private practices. Her profound journey in art therapy primarily unfolded within a school division, where she effectively engaged with over 700 children and adolescents. This was achieved through a combination of individual sessions, art therapy groups, and educational classroom presentations.
Amber's tenure as the Clinical Manager in a private practice further honed her expertise, where she excelled in supervising and providing professional development for practicing therapists. Her unwavering dedication to art therapy continues to fuel her career as CiiAT's Managing Director of Clinical Services, where she is delighted to contribute her wealth of knowledge and experience to the development of new art therapy students and therapeutic arts practitioners.

Oona McClure, CiiAT's Academic and Clinical Supervisor, has a profound respect for artistic communication and is passionate about celebrating the transformative powers of the healing arts. She regards the art-making process as a vital space for inquiry, empowerment, imagination, comfort, and relational connection. Her extensive education and professional experience provide a comprehensive skill set that bridges the spheres of arts-based therapy and community arts programming.

As an art therapist and the founder of Hearten Art Therapy & Creative Wellness, Oona conducts engaging arts-based therapy sessions in private practice and collaborates with local community programs. She creates an environment where the unique stories of each client are honored, and where confidence, resiliency, and healing are fostered.

Throughout her career, Oona has worked extensively with children and young adults in both group and one-on-one settings. She has a wealth of experience in facilitating groups and employing arts-based therapy to tackle challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, attachment, neurodiversity, and complex mental health issues.

In her role at CiiAT, Oona's responsibilities are multifaceted. She serves as the site supervisor at the Art Wellness Studios and Clinic program, located at the Eric Martin Pavilion in the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC. She also provides clinical supervision to students and facilitates Art Psychotherapy Diploma courses.

Oona is a graduate of the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and a Registered Canadian Art Therapist. She resides in Victoria, BC, on the unceded Coast Salish Territory of the lək̓wəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ nations. Oona is grateful to live, learn, play, make art, and raise her family on these beautiful lands.

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.

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.

Cheryl is a registered art therapist, clinical counsellor and trauma therapist. She is also a certified NARM therapist. NARM (The NeuroAffective Relational Model) is specifically designed for working with complex trauma by addressing the attachment patterns that cause life-long psychobiological symptoms and interpersonal difficulties. Cheryl was practising as a clinical counsellor in the UK when she became curious about approaches which address the somatic impact of complex trauma. This eventually led her to discover art therapy as the missing piece in facilitating healing; a creative path which acknowledges that words are not always possible, or necessary. She is now passionate about integrating art therapy with NARM and Internal Family Systems theory. Alongside her work as an instructor, Cheryl facilitates art therapy groups for parents and has a private practice where she welcomes individuals of any age, both online and in-person. She offers a strengths-based, non-pathologizing approach and is intent on holding hope and offering empowerment in addressing the impact of the past on the present. She works on the premise that we are wounded within the context of relationship, and we heal within relationship. She concurs with neurobiological evidence that trauma is held in the body and that the neuroplasticity of the brain means that creating new neural pathways through positive attachments is possible. Cheryl is convinced that connection and compassion facilitate this healing process and is passionate about the power of creativity in healing from trauma.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tamara Reynolds is a retired police officer who brings a unique perspective to her work as an art therapist and registered psychotherapist. She is also the owner of North Superior Art Therapy Services, where she helps clients explore their emotions and foster personal growth through creative expression.

With a passion for using art as a tool for healing and self-expression, Tamara brings expertise and compassion to her work with clients. Her approach focuses on fostering creativity, resilience, and personal growth through therapeutic art interventions. She is dedicated to helping individuals explore their emotions, navigate life challenges, and discover new pathways to wellness and empowerment. In her free time, Tamara enjoys playing in the community band, playing sports, taking leisurely walks with her dog, and camping during the summer months.

Originally from Mount Moriah, NL, Jessica graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2008 with a Bachelor of Social Work. Upon graduation, Jessica returned to the Bay of Islands to reside within her Mi’kmaq community, and has been working as a Registered Social Worker in the field of mental health and addictions counselling ever since. With a focus on holistic healing, Jessica also completed training as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and has her designation of Naturopathic Doctor for Holistic Therapies.

With over a decade of experience working with individuals with mental health and addictions in both individual and group environments, Jessica return to her roots of art and completed her diploma of Art Psychotherapy with CiiAT graduating in December 2023. Jessica continues to grow her skills with bringing art therapy to her clients in her private practice and by volunteering her time in community events.

Amy Lister MA, DTATI, RP, 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

Rebecca Dunford (she/her) - BA, DCiiAT As a child, Rebecca grew up with an artistic mother, with creativity surrounding her, becoming an Art Therapist seemed like a very organic journey for her. She has an Undergraduate Degree from the University of Ottawa, and completed her Post-Bachelor Diploma from CiiAT in Art Psychotherapy. Rebecca’s roles at CiiAT are being an art therapy group facilitator for the Art Wellness Studio Clinic program located at the Royal Jubilee Hospital here in Victoria, BC. As well as being a teacher's assistant for multiple APD courses. She also spends her clinical work supporting children, youth, and families in individual and dyadic art therapy. She specializes in working with children who have an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and other developmental or social challenges. Rebecca is passionate about using a lot of somatic and mindfulness approaches in her practices, as well as bringing in natural materials to help clients focus on being grounded and connected with their environment. When Rebecca is not in her role of an Art Therapist, you can find her wandering through mountain trails and combing the beaches of Vancouver Island, BC. She also enjoys spending her time in the pottery studio as well as cozying up with a cup of tea and her needle felting supplies.

Yuma Kemp, a creative soul with a passion for art and a heart for healing. Her journey began when she arrived in the United States at the age of 12, facing the challenge of fitting in without understanding English. Through arts and crafts classes, she discovered the profound joy of self-expression beyond words, sparking a lifelong love affair with art.

After majoring in Ceramics at Tama Art University in Tokyo, Japan, Yuma embarked on a diverse career path as a language teacher, spanning over a decade and touching the lives of students from all corners of the globe. Alongside her teaching endeavors, she graduated with a CiiAT Art Psychotherapy Diploma in March 2022, driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of how art can empower and heal.

In her creative realm, Yuma delights in exploring various mediums—from paints and collage to crayons and clay—believing that anything that brings a smile is a treasure. Her belief in the transformative power of art fuels her mission to help others discover their voice and inner selves through creative expression.

For Yuma, art is not just about aesthetics; it's a gateway to healing and self-discovery. She believes that through art, we can tap into new experiences and unveil the true essence of who we are meant to be. Join her on a journey of artistic exploration and let the colors of creativity paint a brighter, more vibrant world together.

Michelle Winkel is both the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of CiiAT. Her extensive educational background, including a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Psychotherapy, has laid a solid foundation for her professional journey. Her career has encompassed roles in various hospitals across Los Angeles and Sacramento, where she has been instrumental in delivering care through partial-day treatment programs and inpatient psychiatric facilities.
Later, Michelle led a dynamic and diverse team of 16 professionals, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and mental health therapists, within the Placer County School District. Her leadership and expertise in this role significantly impacted the community's well-being.
Notably, Michelle has also acquired a Fellowship in Infant-Parental Mental Health from Harvard Children’s Hospital, equipping her with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle intricate family issues. Her work has extended to include pediatric hospital visits aimed at enhancing attachment and mental health within families.
Furthermore, Michelle has dedicated over 25 years to supervising and mentoring art therapists and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs), both within the United States and internationally. Her contributions to the field have extended to teaching post-graduate programs at multiple educational institutions. Michelle's extensive experience and commitment have left a lasting mark on the field of mental health and art therapy.

Amber Channell, RCAT, is the Managing Director of Clinical Services at CiiAT. She is a seasoned Registered Art Therapist, with over two decades of rich experience across diverse settings, such as women's shelters, group homes, hospitals, and private practices. Her profound journey in art therapy primarily unfolded within a school division, where she effectively engaged with over 700 children and adolescents. This was achieved through a combination of individual sessions, art therapy groups, and educational classroom presentations.
Amber's tenure as the Clinical Manager in a private practice further honed her expertise, where she excelled in supervising and providing professional development for practicing therapists. Her unwavering dedication to art therapy continues to fuel her career as CiiAT's Managing Director of Clinical Services, where she is delighted to contribute her wealth of knowledge and experience to the development of new art therapy students and therapeutic arts practitioners.

Oona McClure, CiiAT's Academic and Clinical Supervisor, has a profound respect for artistic communication and is passionate about celebrating the transformative powers of the healing arts. She regards the art-making process as a vital space for inquiry, empowerment, imagination, comfort, and relational connection. Her extensive education and professional experience provide a comprehensive skill set that bridges the spheres of arts-based therapy and community arts programming.

As an art therapist and the founder of Hearten Art Therapy & Creative Wellness, Oona conducts engaging arts-based therapy sessions in private practice and collaborates with local community programs. She creates an environment where the unique stories of each client are honored, and where confidence, resiliency, and healing are fostered.

Throughout her career, Oona has worked extensively with children and young adults in both group and one-on-one settings. She has a wealth of experience in facilitating groups and employing arts-based therapy to tackle challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, attachment, neurodiversity, and complex mental health issues.

In her role at CiiAT, Oona's responsibilities are multifaceted. She serves as the site supervisor at the Art Wellness Studios and Clinic program, located at the Eric Martin Pavilion in the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC. She also provides clinical supervision to students and facilitates Art Psychotherapy Diploma courses.

Oona is a graduate of the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and a Registered Canadian Art Therapist. She resides in Victoria, BC, on the unceded Coast Salish Territory of the lək̓wəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ nations. Oona is grateful to live, learn, play, make art, and raise her family on these beautiful lands.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Hanna Bincik, the Virtual Art Therapy Clinic (VATC) Site Manager at CiiAT, plays a pivotal role in delivering affordable and accessible art psychotherapy services to hundreds of clients globally. A recent graduate of the CiiAT Art Psychotherapy Diploma Program, with a master's degree in clinical psychology, Hanna leverages her extensive knowledge and profound commitment to enhancing access to mental health care and reducing stigma in diverse environments. As Site Manager Hanna manages over 50 student therapists who provide services in nine languages across 19 countries. Drawing from her personal experiences as a CiiAT Art Psychotherapy graduate, and her person-centered therapeutic approach, Hanna provides essential support and guidance to students completing their practicums at VATC. Her leadership ensures that these future therapists have a transformative educational experience, making a significant impact on global mental health efforts.

Maddy Topnik serves as the Clinical Coordinator at the Virtual Art Therapy Clinic (VATC) of the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CiiAT). Bringing a strong background as a certified Medical Office Assistant (MOA), Maddy has further enhanced her expertise through certification as a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner. In her pivotal role, she oversees all practicum placements and manages the administration for each, ensuring a seamless integration of educational and clinical experiences for students. Maddy is instrumental in facilitating client access to the VATC clinic, offering targeted support and coordination that upholds the clinic's standards of care. Her dedication to art therapy and mental health advocacy empowers her to provide invaluable assistance to the clinical team, deeply aligning with CiiAT’s mission to nurture the development of future art therapists. Maddy is committed to maintaining a compassionate, client-centered approach, fostering an environment that supports both the therapeutic journey of clients and the professional growth of practicum students.