Our Therapists & Staff

Nathalie is a CiiAT graduate and art therapist. She has several university degrees that include a master’s degree in sciences and various undergraduate degrees.

Nathalie is trained in eco-art therapy, play therapy, and sandtray therapy. She also likes to use some expressive art therapy exercises when it is appropriate. Further, as a certified educator, Nathalie taught drama for several years.

Nathalie offers her holistic services to children, youth, adults, and families of different cultures. She can speak English and French. Her caring, compassionate and non-judgmental approach has been helping a wide variety of clientele with challenges from anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, chronic pain, health issues, grief and loss, low self-esteem, personality disorders, and more.

When Nathalie is not providing therapy sessions, she volunteers overseas as a gender equality and social inclusion advisor. So far, Nathalie has worked in Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nepal, Vietnam, and Haiti. Her volunteer work overseas makes Nathalie very comfortable working with people of different cultures who have been mistreated, abused, or those identifying as refugees or immigrants.

Nathalie is a professional member of CATA (Canadian Art Therapy Association), CAST (Canadian Association of Sandplay Therapy), CAPT (Canadian Association of Play Therapy), and ATA (Alberta Teachers Association).

I am a lifelong artist with 2 cats and a passion for all the adventures life has to offer. I live and work in the beautiful Coastal Pacific Northwest and have a great deal of sympathy for those coping with the weather in the rest of Canada

I work with all kinds of life situations and challenges in all age groups. I have a relational and fairly straight-forward approach, integrating humor and creativity where possible. I would be honored to walk with you through the events, experiences and moments that shape your life. Let’s art and talk about what’s important to you… maybe we’ll even laugh together.

Trauma, attachment, relationships, vulnerability, and emotional safety are special areas of interest for me.

I am trained in the Gottman approach to couples therapy. I started out 16 years ago working in child and adolescent psychiatric wards in the United States, then in the BC government’s community Child & Youth Mental Health program and currently in private practice.

Jennifer is a CiiAT Clinical Art Therapy program graduate who enjoys working with youth and adults. She offers support services for clients coping with work-related stress, grief & loss, separation, chronic pain, trauma, dissociation, attachment, and substance use. She uses mindfulness in her work with clients as stress experienced from adverse experiences
is also often physiologically embedded in the body.

She was an alternative teacher (14+) working with at risk children & adults prior to engaging in clinical art therapy. She used the creative arts (poetry &  writing, music, photography, expressive, and visual arts) in various forms therapeutically and expressively to support students (youth & adults) for the last 10 years.

She is an LGBTQ community ally, & was a SOGI inclusion rep. She taught aboriginal education & is reconciliation-focused. Part of her work also included supporting those coping with & recovering from substance dependency in a community modelled treatment center.

In her spare time, Jennifer likes to travel with her backpack, spend time exploring and being in the bush. She enjoys photography and digital arts, painting, sculpting driftwood pieces, creating music, working on her house, and relaxing around the campfire (sometimes with her guitar) in the backyard.

Michelle Winkel is a Registered Canadian Art Therapist, marriage and family therapist, trained facilitator, and supervisor with over 25 years of experience working directly with groups, families, and individuals. She currently serves as the Clinical and Academic Director at CiiAT – The Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy and is a former Board member with the Canadian Art Therapy Association.

Michelle’s extensive background in art therapy includes providing art therapy sessions, instruction, supervision, and designing and implementation of programs. Michelle currently only offers therapy for therapists and supervision for art therapy program graduates. She has a keen interest in arts-based reflective practices to hone supervisees’ skills.