Staff & Therapists

Richard is a student art therapist currently residing in Ontario, Canada. He has received an advanced diploma with honours from the Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Canada. With his artistic background, Richard uses art as an integral part of daily life and is now studying under the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy in order to spread the wonderful magic of art-making in a therapeutic, creative environment. Richard can usually be found painting away in his studio or researching theories and concepts to add to his eclectic creative practice. While Richards's main focus was painting in school, he has come to love all art processes.

Richard views art as a magical door that helps open us up to new worlds, new experiences, and new ways of self-discovery.

I have always found a strong sense of purpose in helping others and making art. I couldn’t imagine a better way of supporting people in their healing than through a process of creative expression.

Over the past fifteen years, my studies, artistic practice and professional life have been motivated by a desire to understand the human condition. What I have learned is that creativity is an innate and fundamental aspect of the self and one of the most powerful inner resources we have to restore balance to our mental, emotional and physical well-being.

Before I had an understanding of the influence that different art materials and processes have on the brain, I couldn’t fully appreciate the role creativity played in my health or how to make the most of its benefits. That is why I value an evidence-based approach to art therapy that is grounded in neuroscience and prioritizes psychoeducation as an essential part of the therapeutic experience. My hope is to provide my clients with a warm and relaxed environment where creative play enables greater self-awareness for empowered self-care.
I look forward to working together towards your therapeutic goals in a style that is in tune with your personal comfort, interests and needs.

Open Studio Group Facilitator - Not accepting individual clients at this time.

Aiman holds a Bachelor of Public Health from Brock University, where her interest in mental health began. Aiman's undergrad projects and her role at a non-profit following her degree, all of which aimed to support individuals experiencing caregiving, serious illness, dying, and death, inspired her toward her true passion: mental health and grief. Aiman currently resides in Toronto, Ontario, but was raised in the province of British Columbia amidst all the nature it has to offer. She had a nature-filled and exploratory upbringing, including endless opportunities to explore the arts and express herself through music (instruments, singing, dancing), drama (through theatre), and visual art which not only had the most in-depth exploration and impact, but is something that she has carried on throughout her life. Aiman's journey of healing through art therapy, her professional experiences, her volunteerism with organizations which support young people (i.e. mentorship, children's hospice, grief support groups, etc), and her personal journey of caregiving and grieving, have collectively led her here: to aim towards becoming an Art Therapist and Registered Psychotherapist. She feels privileged to have been raised in a culturally diverse environment in Canada and is motivated to support individuals with cultural humility at the forefront. Aiman strives to provide individuals with a safe space to land and express' through a compassionate, person-centered approach. Further into her career, Aiman aims to specialize in youth grief through therapeutic art.

Drawing from a blend of narrative therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, phenomenological, and trauma-informed approaches, Hannah, a student art psychotherapist, brings a holistic healing perspective to her practice. Complementing her studies, she holds certifications as an Adult Mental Health First Aider in both Canada and the United States, as well as a Youth Mental Health First Aider in the U.S. Actively engaged as a mental health ambassador and Mandarin hotline responder at Mental Health Mutual-aid Hub Canada, Hannah is dedicated to supporting diverse communities. With six years of experience in the mental health field and ongoing practicum work at Richmond Mental Health, she has honed her skills in providing compassionate care. During her undergraduate years at the University of British Columbia, she participated in a pre-medical volunteer program in Ecuador, an experience that sparked her interest in the health field. Immersing herself in diverse experiences, Hannah spent eight months on the Big Island of Hawaii with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), monitoring volcanoes and building geodatabases. This immersion in nature fostered her creativity and intuition, leading her to venture into the art therapy field. Passionate about various forms of expression, including drawing, painting, singing, dancing, running, yoga, forest bathing, hiking, skiing, and bird watching, Hannah sees herself as a fellow traveller accompanying her clients on their journeys toward recovery.

Ummul-Kiram Patrawala is a mom to 3 boys and a former marketing executive, who was born in India and immigrated to Canada when she was 18. Ummul-kiram's passion to serve was born from her own challenges she faced as a mother of young kids, managing a career and household and not knowing how to take care of herself.

For the past 7 years, she has been practicing in pelvic health rehabilitation by coaching women to come into the driver's seat of their healing journey, using a blend of somatic trauma therapy, mindfulness, yin yoga and meditation approaches. Weaving in art therapy allows her to bring playfulness into the healing journey, and she personally enjoys creating using oil pastels, chalk, clay, and materials found in nature. Ceremonies and rituals are how she weaves in the medicine of art in her daily life.

She hopes to make art therapy and psychotherapy more accessible to women from her own lineages (East Indian and/or Muslim faith). She offers sessions in English, Hindi and Gujarati). She works from an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed lens.

Tina is a Canadian-born Chinese daughter of immigrants from South China and Hong Kong. Tina’s family journey in Canada began in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, and she grew up mostly in Tkaronto/Toronto. Her professional work in finance and human rights education has taken her all over the world. She has spent over 20 years in the social services field focused on child and family violence prevention, child and youth-friendly community development, and advocacy in child rights, human rights, and anti-racism. Tina is now a mother of two children and lives on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people with her family. She is in her final year of the graduate art therapy program and is also a practicum student at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. She is currently working at a BC mental health policy advocacy organization. Art making has been a part of Tina’s life since childhood, and art therapy has been so important to her own healing and self-care journey. She recognizes the need for more access to mental health supports for racialized communities and is striving to contribute to decolonizing, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and trauma-informed practices.

Miream Rabba

Before studying art therapy at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy, Miream spent over 20 years working with corporate, NGO and government clients to improve services for people in challenging and vulnerable life situations. She has experience working with people of all ages in many different life situations (out-of-home care, transitioning to independence, parents, low-income, experiencing a shortage of affordable housing) with a diverse range of abilities, physical, neurological and mental health conditions and levels of digital and English literacy in both Australia and Canada. As a practicum student at the Art Wellness Studio & Clinic, Eric Martin Pavilion, Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC she helps co-facilitate a safe and inclusive environment for artistic expression. Her Bachelor of Arts degree focused on Environmental Studies, Psychology, and Sociology. She is part of local weaving, writing and creative groups. She has experienced first-hand the transformative potential of art therapy. She is originally from Toronto, ON, spent 13 years in Sydney, Australia, and now calls Victoria, BC home. Please feel free to connect at your convenience.

Open Studio Group Facilitator - Not accepting individual clients at this time.

Deanna is a student art therapist, studying at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CiiAT). She graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts (BFA), as well as a minor in Psychology. While in university, she discovered her two passions could be merged together, and has been excited to begin this journey of studying and practicing art therapy ever since. Deanna has a background in childcare and her compassionate and empathetic character has always led her passion to lie in helping others. Deanna has found the process of art-making to be not only a creative outlet but an emotional outlet as well, and wants to share this with others who may also benefit and find comfort in the healing powers of art and art therapy. Deanna aims to provide a warm and safe environment to help individuals explore creative self-expression and reflection.

Gabrielle Lanthier is a student art therapist in the Art Psychotherapy diploma program at CiiAT. She graduated from the Visual and Critical Studies program at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, where she currently resides. During her undergraduate program, she engaged in an array of art practices and mediums, and studied art-making practices from around the world. Her engagement with art-making has played an important role in her own healing journey. She believes that healing happens in community, and her experience facilitating trauma-informed peer support group programs allowed her to witness the healing power of co-creating safe spaces with others. Gabrielle welcomes you to connect with your inner artist and offers a compassionate, non-judgmental, and playful space for self-discovery.

I am Thanh Mai Tran. People usually call me Mai. I am from Vietnam. I graduated with a master's degree in psychology from the University of Hertfordshire, UK. Recently, I have been a student art therapist at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. Expressing via visual arts, especially abstract painting and drawing, is one way I mainly use to take care of myself. I am not an artist, so I do not mind if my end product is technically perfect. Instead, I concentrate more on the process of creating the artwork, where my feelings are expressed and embraced. During my years working in the educational and social work sectors, I have also integrated visual arts into my classes and community projects. Looking at my students and the participants, who enjoyed the art-making process, made me realize that it is not only for myself but also for others to engage, connect and support themselves regardless of age. Therefore, with a great passion for art and people’s development, mental health and well-being, I would like to integrate the power of art into psychological support for individuals in diverse communities. Practicing as a student art therapist, I would like to offer an art process-making with diverse materials/media where people feel comfortable and safe enough to explore and express themselves.

Sarah Keating graduated from Dalhousie University with a degree in Neuroscience and a certificate in Disability Management. Sarah was ‘late’ to embrace art in her life - it wasn’t until she sought Art Therapy in her own healing journey that she recognized the importance of this work and wanted to share it with others. With no formal training in fine arts, Sarah will be the first to tell you that creativity is for everybody, no matter their experience and/or abilities. With a background in group home and respite work, Sarah has experience working with diverse populations, including neurodiverse folks and clients with intellectual disabilities. She embraces a person-centred approach and works to meet clients where they are in ways that are meaningful and effective for them.

Teresa Wilcox's background in early childhood development, education, and family relationships has readied her to support children and parents on their healing journey. Through play and artistic exploration, she will discover your strengths, abilities, and art-making's healing power. She has varied professional and life experiences as an early childhood educator, a business entrepreneur, and a mother of two. Teresa is a graduate of Sociology from The University of Western Ontario, a registered Early Childhood Educator, and a graduate of Fine Art. This abundance of experience has enriched her identity and grown her abilities to co-create positive outcomes with those around her. Teresa will guide you through your journey of challenges to uncover your strengths. Teresa is inspired in her journey as an art psychotherapist student gaining more tools to assist others on their healing adventures. She appreciates being creative through painting and sharing her vision through the lens of a camera. Teresa's goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable during your time exploring artistic expression.

Rebecca Donnelly is a student in the Art Psychotherapy Diploma Program at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has been working as a Registered Nurse and nursing educator for almost fifteen years. She has worked with clients across the lifespan and has supported those struggling with mental health, addictions, grief, trauma, and loss. She draws upon this knowledge while moving into the realm of artistic expression as a means to healing.

Rebecca does not consider herself an artist but has always been drawn toward artistic means of expression, including visual arts and music. Within a safe and non-judgmental space, her caring and empathetic approach creates an environment for creative expression and healing.

Yuli is currently studying to become an art therapist at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. She decided to take this career path because it has been her life mission to use creativity to help others. She graduated from Algonquin College, Ottawa with a Bachelor of Interior Design. She has worked in Tokyo at an art installation firm, and learned how to create comfortable and joyful physical spaces for people. She also worked part-time teaching English conversation to adults and art to children. As a teacher, she had the privilege of working with age groups ranging from 4 to 70 years old. This is where she found her strength for holding safe learning environments to help her students grow. Growing up as a second generation Asian Canadian, Yuli experienced the cross-cultural challenges living in Canada, Taiwan, and Japan. Art has been a tool for her to navigate and understand how her environment makes her feel. It helped shape her identity and gave her a safe platform to express her true thoughts. This sparked her love for art therapy. Yuli looks forward to providing creative guidance to clients, making a welcoming, safe space where they can explore, grow, and express themselves authentically.

Sabrina Louie is an art therapy student in the Art Psychotherapy Diploma program with CiiAT. She has previously completed an Art Education major with a minor in Psychology, at Concordia University in Montreal, where she currently resides. Through her experience in an art education program, she has experience working with various populations. It is also through these experiences that she has witnessed the evolution and transformations of individuals who discover new ways in which to express themselves creatively. Thus, beginning her journey to become an art therapist and satisfying her need to create and express creatively, and to help others express themselves as well. Sabrina’s past experiences have been mostly arts-based and promote an exploration of art-making and creative expression that is authentic and genuine to one’s self.

McKayla Stewart is a diploma student at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. Growing up in a family affected by mental illness inspired her interest in helping others who struggle with mental health. She has experience working with diverse individuals through homecare, tutoring, and as support staff in acute inpatient mental health and residential addiction treatment settings. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Alberta, she was unsure of which career path to choose. When she discovered the field of Art Therapy, everything clicked. McKayla strongly believes in the healing power of creative expression and has always found joy in a variety of artistic endeavours such as drawing, painting, embroidery, and mask-making. She aims for a gentle, client-centered, collaborative approach and always appreciates the opportunity to work with and learn from new people.