Laura Andrew    BSc, DKATI, RCAT

EDUCATION

Ecopsychology Certificate
Pacifica Graduate Institute

Graduate Diploma: Art Therapy 
Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, Nelson, B.C.
 
Bachelor of Science: Zoology Major
University of Calgary, Calgary, A.B.

Advanced Certification in Mandarin Chinese
Chinese Language Center, Donghai University, Taichung, Taiwan

 
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2021                     Eco-Psychology Certificate, Pacifica Graduate Institute
2020                    Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, Supervision Symposium, Level 2
2019                     Canadian Art Therapy Association, Received Registered Certified Art Therapy (RCAT) Accreditation
2019                     Canadian Art Therapy Conference, Participant
2019                     Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, Supervision Symposium, Level 1
2016                     Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Certification: Cathy Malchiodi, Hong Kong Institute for Counseling                                                                       Professionals
2016                      Hong Kong International Art Therapy Conference, Presenter
2015-2020         Kutenai Art Therapy Institute Association, Board Member
2015-Present      Canadian Art Therapy Association, Professional Member
2014-2015           British Columbia Art Therapy Association, Student Representative
2014                      Canadian Art Therapy Association 35th Annual Conference, Volunteer
2014                      Suicide Assessment, Workshop:  Juanita Kiff, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
2014                      Art Therapy with Adolescents, Workshop:  Judith Siano, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
2014                      Cultural Identity, Workshop:  Sibylle Cseri, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
2014                      Collage, Workshop:  Mehii Naimi, Canadian Art Therapy Association Conference
2014                      Sand Tray Therapy, Workshop:  Cathy Swanston, Nelson Community Services
2014                      Expressive Arts Therapy, Workshop:  Markus Alexander, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
2013                      International Conference: Mixing Colors and Cultures: Art Therapy in a Melting Pot, Shenzhen, China, Attendee
2013                      Trauma-Informed Art Therapy: Level Two:  Cathy Malchiodi, Hong Kong Institute for Counseling Professionals
2012                      Earth Art Therapy, Workshop:  Monica Carpendale and Judith Siano, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
2012                      Trauma-Informed Art Therapy: Level One: Cathy Malchiodi, Hong Kong Institute for Counseling Professionals

WORK EXPERIENCE
 
Faculty Member, Supervisor, & Thesis Advisor, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute                 2020-Present
  • Supervises art therapy students
  • Teaches Land-based Healing & Ecological Identity
  • Teaches Clinical Art Therapy Skills & Professional Transitions
  • Advises student research projects

​Art Therapist, Private Practice                                                                                                       2015 – Present
  • Facilitates group and individual art therapy sessions for children, youth, adults and elders. Presents and facilitates workshops.

Art Therapy Clinician, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute                                                                       2015 – 2021
  • Plans and facilitates groups and individual art therapy sessions for children and youth
  • Completes client intakes, maintains clinical files
  • Liaison with client parents, school counselors and professional team as necessary
  • Supervises art therapy interns
  • Prepares and maintains program supplies, art materials, snacks, forms, client files

Practicum Coordinator, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute                                                             2015 – 2016
  • Responsible for negotiating and coordinating practicum placements and schedules for art therapy interns in a variety of settings such as schools, community outreach programs, alternative education settings, senior’s facilities, and agencies
  • Responsible for facilitating liaison, communication and agreement requirements
  • Organizes budgets for art materials at each placement and handles invoicing
  • Responsible for problem solving and maintaining positive working relationships with a variety of contacts and agencies
  
Art Therapy Clinician, School District 8 Contract, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute                  2015- 2016
  • Facilitates groups and individual art therapy sessions for children and youth at risk
  • Completes client intakes, maintains clinical files
  • Liaison with client parents, school counselors and school staff as necessary
  • Supervises art therapy interns
  • Prepare and maintain program supplies, art materials, snacks, forms, client files

Counselor, Mountain Trek Health Spa                                                                                             2015 – 2018
  • Facilitates groups and individual counseling sessions with adults experiencing a variety of life challenges such as transitions, grief and loss,  existential crises
  • Works with a solution-focused brief therapy approach
 
Art Therapy Clinician, Salmo Community Resource Society                                                            2014- 2016
  • Provides individual and group assessment and counselling to children and youth who face a variety of challenging situations such as: experiencing trauma through witnessing abuse in the home; experiencing issues related to grief and loss; experiencing challenges coping and functioning in the school classroom environment
  • Organizes student groupings according to issues, needs and goals of clients
  • Facilitates group and individual art therapy sessions with children at Salmo elementary school
  • Coordinates case management and service interventions collaboratively with other service providers, school staff, and community resource society
  • Provides case management including client referrals, intakes, facilitation of treatment, treatment plans, recording keeping and evaluation, assessments, suicide assessment and intervention
  • Provides support to families of clients
 
Mandarin Chinese and English as a Second Language Tutor                                                     2013 – Present
  • Tutors children and adults in Mandarin Chinese and English language, school subjects such as Biology, Social Studies, Psychology; teaches grammar, conversation, writing; facilitates exam preparation; incorporates art and play during instruction; one-on-one and group settings
 
Art Therapy Intern, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, Nelson, B.C.                                                 2013 – 2015
  • Worked therapeutically with individuals and groups using art therapy in various settings including elementary, middle and high schools; senior’s facilities; alternative high school programs; community outreach programs
  • Obtained clinical art therapy experience with children, at-risk youth, adolescent boys and girls, international students, marginalized populations, individuals affected by addictions and mental illness, seniors and families
  • Supported children, youth and families who are struggling with issues related to poverty, divorce and foster care, violence, and abuse
  • Developed, facilitated and evaluated art therapy sessions for alternative youth programming, elementary, middle and high school settings
  • Obtained case management experience including client intakes, facilitation of treatment, treatment plans, recording keeping and evaluation, assessments, suicide assessment and intervention
  • Providing trauma-informed art therapy and creating therapeutic environments that foster resiliency, and opportunities for choice, connection and collaboration
  • Worked in a client centered approach, strengths-based, feminist approach focusing on building rapport during early stages of the therapeutic relationship, empowerment and drawing out the clients’ strengths
  • Provided developmentally appropriate individual and group art therapy.
  • Received extensive supervision including planning, reviewing and evaluating art therapy services
  • Received culturally sensitive training and experience with alternative, minority and marginalized populations
  • Founded new community-oriented practicum placement working with marginalized individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness, addictions and mental illness, trauma, grief and loss
  • Planned and facilitated community-based art making events: Community Connect, KATI Blue Night Art Shows, Nelson Marketfest, LVR High School
 
Freelance Artist                                                                                                                                         2005 – Present
  • Commissioned drawing, illustrating, painting, jewelry making and mural design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
English as a Second Language Instructor, Taichung, Taiwan                                                       2000 – 2013
  • Worked as a private tutor, mentor, and English teacher in kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools, language centers and ESL Consulting Agencies
  • Worked with children, adolescents, adults, seniors and families
  • Taught phonics, reading, writing, conversational and business English skills
  • Tutored students one-on-one in subjects including art, math, science, social studies
  • Mentored students in self-esteem, confidence building, and moral support
  • Guided students in preparation for English Proficiency Exams
  • Designed and implemented curricula and examinations; planned lessons and schedules
  • Worked cooperatively with parents, principals, educators and setting directors
  • Interfaced with parents in English and Mandarin Chinese Language
 
PUBLICATIONS
Andrew, Laura (2015).  Art for Cultural Expression and Connection: A Therapeutic Art Group with International Students. Kutenai Art Therapy Institute.
 
SKILLS
  • Well-developed interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; good organization and time management skills
  • Proven skills in therapeutic group facilitation and working with group dynamics, particularly associated with trauma
  • Awareness of confidentiality, dual relationships and therapeutic boundaries
  • Ability to communicate and coordinate with team members and co-facilitators; works well independently and as a team
  • Experience in counseling within a feminist framework
  • Effective leadership skills; positive role model
  • Highly motivated, reliable, capable and responsible
  • Respectful and compassionate in working with clients and families; spontaneous and adaptable to client needs
  • Strong advocate for the mental and emotional well-being of all people
  • Computer skills – Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher)
  • Comprehensive language skills in Mandarin Chinese
  • Positive attitude, smiling face; life-long learner; creative, curious person