​This is the third in a series of monthly posts about some of my favourite children’s books (first post and second post). With the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation around the corner on September 30, I thought it was meaningful to share four of my favourite books I like to read to my two children to support their understanding of the importance of protecting the environment and being stewards of change, and to remember and recognize the tragic history of residential schools. Please find them below:   

My journey in becoming an Art Therapist started at a young age when I turned to art to express myself and capture what was important to me in my world. In the process as I grew older, I built my skill which fueled the interest in continuing this as an outlet, and also started to provide positive verbal recognition from teachers and peers. (As a side note any of those new to Art Therapy, please note skill is not necessary to achieve the benefits of Art Therapy, I am mentioning this as a precursor to how I found my way to art therapy.) 

Mindful healing is a conscious way of healing that promotes lasting change, helping the client to feel empowered in their ability to navigate life’s ups, and more confident in their own skin. A key part of healing is engaging in mindfulness practices, this article speaks to the science behind mindfulness, multitude of research studies, and the numerous health benefits. I like to think of healing as a journey, and as we progress in our healing new doors and possibilities open for us, and we can start to see the next steps along the path. For some their healing may involve investing more in areas of their life, having better boundaries, valuing yourself, saying no, reducing the self-doubt, transforming the after effects of trauma, or finding ways to get off the loop of feeling broken or anxious. I believe mindful healing has the best outcomes with a collaborative approach, with the client motivated and invested in exploring different possibilities including integration of various approaches and professional expertise. Below are four invitations to support mindful healing:

​The big day is upon us, the return of back of school! With this comes an array of emotions for parents and children alike. Find some strategies below to support the first day and week of school: