Laura Andrew BSc, DKATI, RCAT
EDUCATION
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
Art Therapist, Private Practice 2015 – Present
Art Therapy Clinician, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute 2015 – 2021
Practicum Coordinator, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute 2015 – 2016
Art Therapy Clinician, School District 8 Contract, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute 2015- 2016
Counselor, Mountain Trek Health Spa 2015 – 2018
Art Therapy Clinician, Salmo Community Resource Society 2014- 2016
Mandarin Chinese and English as a Second Language Tutor 2013 – Present
Art Therapy Intern, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, Nelson, B.C. 2013 – 2015
Freelance Artist 2005 – Present
English as a Second Language Instructor, Taichung, Taiwan 2000 – 2013
PUBLICATIONS
Andrew, Laura (2015). Art for Cultural Expression and Connection: A Therapeutic Art Group with International Students. Kutenai Art Therapy Institute.
SKILLS
EDUCATION
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
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