Welcome! It’s so lovely to meet you
My name is Sarah, and I am a Professional Art Therapist and Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate) (RCT-C) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can often find me with my pets, curled up with a book, enjoying good food, or combing the beach for sea glass.
My journey into Art Therapy began on the other side of the process - as a client. Through my own experience, I discovered how creativity can help us make sense of complex emotions, explore parts of ourselves that can be difficult to put into words, and connect more deeply with who we are. Like many of my clients, I didn't come to Art Therapy because I considered myself an artist; I came to Art Therapy because I was looking for another way to understand myself, heal, and grow. The experience ultimately inspired me to support others in navigating their own paths with curiosity, compassion, and creativity.
As a neurodivergent therapist, I understand the importance of identity, intersectionality, and lived experience in creating spaces where people feel safe to show up as themselves. My practice is grounded in inclusivity, self-exploration, and the belief that creativity belongs to everyone, regardless of their artistic experience or ability.
I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, identity exploration, self-esteem, and life transitions. My approach is compassionate, person-centred, and trauma-informed, drawing from Art Therapy, IFS-informed practice, somatic approaches, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My background in Neuroscience informs my understanding of the mind-body connection and supports my commitment to evidence-based, client-centred care. My role is to walk alongside you, always honouring that you are the expert in your own life.
My Experience
My path into therapy has always been guided by a deep curiosity about people and a passion for psychology. I hold an Honours degree in Neuroscience from Dalhousie University, where I developed a deeper understanding of the brain and nervous system, and the complex connections between sensations, thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and lived experience. I especially became interested in how these interconnected systems and patterns shape the ways we move through the world and relate to ourselves and others.
This perspective continues to inform my therapeutic work, where I understand healing as something shaped by biological, psychological, social, and creative factors. Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a Respite Care Provider, Residential Counsellor, and Employment Counsellor, supporting neurodivergent individuals and advocating for accessible, inclusive care. Together, these experiences have shaped the compassionate, holistic lens I bring to my work today.
Driven by my passion for creative healing, I pursued a master's-level Art Psychotherapy Diploma through the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CiiAT). This rigorous two-year program included extensive coursework, guided supervision by experienced Art Psychotherapists, and a 300-hour clinical practicum. My practicum hours were completed with individuals from around the world through CiiAT’s Virtual Art Therapy Clinic (VATC), and at Hospice Halifax.
Through my training, I deepened my skills in art-based therapeutic approaches, learning how creativity can foster self-expression, resilience, and emotional well-being. I continue to develop my skills and meet licensing criteria through regular supervision with an Art Therapist, trainings, attending Art Therapy sessions as a client, making my own art, and collaborating with my peers.
Licensing
I am a Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate) licensed with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), the regulatory body that ensures the highest quality of counselling services for Nova Scotians. Any complaint around my practice should be filed with NSCCT. To learn more about the College, the counselling profession, ethical standards, or the professional complaint process, please visit nscct.ca, or check out the helpful infographic I have posted below!
I am also a Professional Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and maintain the standards of practice outlined by the CCPA.
In addition, I am a registered member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA), which supports and upholds professional and ethical standards for art therapists across Canada.
