Laura Andrew, Art Therapist
As an artist/maker, gardener, student/teacher and traveler, my life is in service of nature, creativity and beauty. My creativity and curiosity are woven into every aspect of my life. My background in science and the cross-cultural experiences gained living more than a decade in Asia provide a broad lens through which I see people and the world. These experiences guide my work as a relational, culturally sensitive art therapist. I hold a strong belief in the power of the creative arts as an instrument for self-reflection, self-care, personal growth and healing.
I completed a thesis working with international students which exemplifies the potential of art as a universal language having the power to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, and to build bridges between cultures. I am very fortunate to be connected with an international community of art therapists worldwide. I have presented and facilitated art therapy workshops internationally.
Among my broad interests in the field of art therapy include the use of collaborative art in social activism and building community, land-based art therapy, and working with immigrants and refugees. I currently work with children, youth, and adults in a variety of settings.
I am a Registered, certified art therapist with the Canadian Art Therapy Association, and a Faculty member at the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute. I provide art therapy services to individuals and groups.
Canadian Art Therapy Association Member #10439888 (since 2013)
Canadian Art Therapy Association Registered Member #249R19
BSc, University of Calgary
Mandarin Language, Advanced Level Certification Dong Hai University, Taiwan
DKATI, Art Therapy Diploma, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
RCAT, Canadian Art Therapy Association Registered, Certified Art Therapist
Certificate in Ecopsychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate
Among my broad interests in the field of art therapy include the use of collaborative art in social activism and building community, land-based art therapy, and working with immigrants and refugees. I currently work with children, youth, and adults in a variety of settings.
I am a Registered, certified art therapist with the Canadian Art Therapy Association, and a Faculty member at the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute. I provide art therapy services to individuals and groups.
Canadian Art Therapy Association Member #10439888 (since 2013)
Canadian Art Therapy Association Registered Member #249R19
BSc, University of Calgary
Mandarin Language, Advanced Level Certification Dong Hai University, Taiwan
DKATI, Art Therapy Diploma, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
RCAT, Canadian Art Therapy Association Registered, Certified Art Therapist
Certificate in Ecopsychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate
The Role of Art Therapy in My Own Life
As children we innately express ourselves through art, but as we move into adulthood we often leave art behind due to other interests, lack of time, or because we feel we are not good enough as artists. I personally pushed art aside as an adolescent in order to focus on academics, which was emphasized by society to be much more important than art. It wasn’t until my mid-twenties after completing a degree in Biology that I finally chose to acknowledge the long-ignored yearning to create which had always been simmering on the edge of my consciousness. A profound shift occurred for me when I committed myself to the practice of art making. This includes an intentional practice of letting go of perfectionism and embracing my own personal style. Training as an art therapist supported me to go deep into my personal process, identify patterns, explore my personal identity, integrate life experiences and past traumas, and reframe my own narrative. Art therapy has given me a tool to explore and express my inner world, and to know myself more deeply.
