TTA Psychotherapist
Ellen Yang PhD. Candidate (RETA,RTC,MTC,RCS)
Specialized in emotional/ behavioral challenges,
cognitive/physical difficulties, and community wellness programs
Therapist, Educator, Consultant, and Researcher
Author of the upcoming book, “The Secret Language of Autism.”
cognitive/physical difficulties, and community wellness programs
Therapist, Educator, Consultant, and Researcher
Author of the upcoming book, “The Secret Language of Autism.”
Ellen has a passion for working with groups of children and adults living with autism, cognitive/physical difficulties, and emotional/ behavioral challenges. Ellen is a BC-certified teacher with over 20 years of experience in education and she has a Master’s Degree in Expressive Arts Therapy with a Minor in Psychology from the European Graduate School (EGS) in Switzerland. Ellen is now conducting a research project as part of her PhD. She hopes that this project will promote proactive approaches to mental health in our community and increase awareness of the emotional needs of people living with autism and other challenges.
Ellen works with people who have major challenges, disabilities and diagnoses, but also with those who have typical stresses and emotional issues, helping them to enhance their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Currently Ellen works with the Surrey School District, offering group therapeutic sessions to children with cognitive, physical, behavioral, and environmental challenges and with the PALS Autism Society, providing one-on-one sessions for autistic young adults. Also, in her Vancouver private practice, Ellen works with various organizations, including the Musqueam Indian Band.
Her main approaches: Client-Centered, Psychotherapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness.
Ellen works with people who have major challenges, disabilities and diagnoses, but also with those who have typical stresses and emotional issues, helping them to enhance their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Currently Ellen works with the Surrey School District, offering group therapeutic sessions to children with cognitive, physical, behavioral, and environmental challenges and with the PALS Autism Society, providing one-on-one sessions for autistic young adults. Also, in her Vancouver private practice, Ellen works with various organizations, including the Musqueam Indian Band.
Her main approaches: Client-Centered, Psychotherapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness.
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Certifications & Licenses
Registered Counselling Supervisor (RCS) Master Therapeutic Counsellor (MTC) Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) BC Certified Teacher (Ministry of Education) Certificate in Prevention and Treatment of Problem Behavior (ACT) Certificate in Intensive Teaching & Natural Environment Teaching (ABA) Certificate in Pranic Healing (IIS) |
Work Experience
Over 20 years in education and mental health Community Workshops (Well-being, Empowerment, Leadership) Elementary Schools (Emotional/Behavioral Support Program: Creative U) PALS Autism Adult Program (Individual Sessions for autistic adults) PALS Autism School (Group Sessions for autistic children) Musqueam Indian Band (Girls Groups & Community Seminars) Supervising mental heath practitioners Vancouver private practice |
Expressive Arts Therapy
Expressive arts therapy (ExA) is an integrative and interdisciplinary arts-based approach to counselling and psychotherapy. It emphasizes artistic experience as a tool for self-discovery and self-expression, for the integration of physical, mental, social and emotional well-being, and for building community. ExA is defined as the use of art, music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing, play and sand play within the context of psychotherapy, counselling, rehabilitation or medicine.
Expressive arts therapy can help people to:
Who can benefit from expressive arts therapy?
Expressive arts therapy can be applied in a broad range of settings and to a variety of people and their challenges. Also, everyone can benefit from experiencing expressive arts therapy including individuals interested in personal growth, individuals with mental health issues, the elderly, children with developmental disorders and their parents, victims of abuse and those with terminal illnesses. They all have the ability and the right to access new experiences through different modalities and mediums (art, music, writing, movement, drama, etc.) to break down emotional blockages. ExA therapists work in many different environments: they may work in private practice with individuals and groups, in hospitals and agencies that focus on mental health, in shelters for women and children, in retirement homes, in hospice care and in schools.
Expressive arts therapy (ExA) is an integrative and interdisciplinary arts-based approach to counselling and psychotherapy. It emphasizes artistic experience as a tool for self-discovery and self-expression, for the integration of physical, mental, social and emotional well-being, and for building community. ExA is defined as the use of art, music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing, play and sand play within the context of psychotherapy, counselling, rehabilitation or medicine.
Expressive arts therapy can help people to:
- Feel refreshed, joyful, and relaxed
- Access the healing power of their imagination and creativity
- Find resolution and new “tool-sets” to deal with and release painful emotions
- Change their habitual thinking and behaviour
- Increase their ability to live with complexity and gain new insights into the problems
- Tap into their most resilient self
Who can benefit from expressive arts therapy?
Expressive arts therapy can be applied in a broad range of settings and to a variety of people and their challenges. Also, everyone can benefit from experiencing expressive arts therapy including individuals interested in personal growth, individuals with mental health issues, the elderly, children with developmental disorders and their parents, victims of abuse and those with terminal illnesses. They all have the ability and the right to access new experiences through different modalities and mediums (art, music, writing, movement, drama, etc.) to break down emotional blockages. ExA therapists work in many different environments: they may work in private practice with individuals and groups, in hospitals and agencies that focus on mental health, in shelters for women and children, in retirement homes, in hospice care and in schools.