Current Workshops
Spring Online Program 2024
"Creative Us": Social-Emotional Learning Through the Arts
Dates: Tuesdays, April 2nd through May 7th, 2024 (6-week Program)
Children’s Group: 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm Adult’s Group: 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm
“Creative Us” is about empowering people through self-expression and creativity and showing them how to process different emotions through Expressive Arts. Participants will learn social-emotional skills through the arts and will have a chance to create a sense of connectedness with themselves and with others. This interactive program provides guidance for practicing calming methods and sharing times. No previous experience is required. Everyone is welcome but space is limited.
This program will focus on:
Learning about self-regulation tools and practicing mindfulness.
Practicing healthy self-expression through creativity and imagination.
Exploring feelings and creating an emotional toolbox. Fostering self-awareness, self-esteem, resiliency, and connectedness.
Cost: $320+5% GST (each individual child/adult); $450+5% GST (per family)
To register for this program, please email [email protected]
Previous Workshops
Summer Online Program 2021, 2022, 2023.
"Creative Us": Social-Emotional Learning Through the Arts
Dates: Wednesdays, June to August (8-week Summer Program)
Children’s Group: 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm Adult’s Group: 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm
Cost: $320+5% GST (each individual child/adult); $450+5% GST (per family)
To register for this program, please email [email protected]
Creative Autism Family Program (Online)
During these uncertain times, let`s gather together to create a sense of contentedness with other families and to foster creativity and fun through art-making. We will practice some relaxation tools in the beginning and then move to the co-creative art activity engaging with your family members.
Cost: FREE
What you need: Any art materials you have at home (paper, pencils, crayons, markers, etc.)
Who can join: Any families affected by autism or neuro/developmental differences or behavioral/emotional difficulties.
When: Every Friday 4:00 pm-5:00 pm, PST- Vancouver time (For 6 weeks, May 8th to June 12th, 2020)
How to join: email Ellen ([email protected]) to get the “Zoom” meeting link.
Creative Autism Family Support Group
Connect with other families, share information and experiences, and create happiness through art-making.
The following elements will be focused on:
- Connectedness (building resources and support)
- Mindfulness Practices (enhancing inner calmness and resilience)
- Expressive Arts (fostering self-expression, self-care, and self-exploration)
When: February 19th, 2020. 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: PALS Autism Society (101-2020 Yukon St, Vancouver)
Who: Families affected by autism or neuro/developmental differences or behavioral/emotional difficulties
Cost: By Donation (RSVP required - limited space available)
To register, please email Ellen: [email protected]
Emotional Fitness Workshop for Parents and Siblings
Focused on Self-Care & Arts-Based Approach
By Donation, Limited space available
Sunday, November 30, 2019. 2 pm to 4 pm
Vancouver Art Therapy Institute (1575 Johnston Street, Granville Island)
This interactive workshop is designed to introduce the concepts of self-care and wellness for parents, siblings, and service providers. The facilitators will discuss and share how to use these concepts to create a state of inner calm and resilience in us and how this can help us to be more available to support others. The participants will learn the foundation of self-care and practice self-compassion and mindfulness through art-making.
By Donation, Limited space available
Sunday, November 30, 2019. 2 pm to 4 pm
Vancouver Art Therapy Institute (1575 Johnston Street, Granville Island)
This interactive workshop is designed to introduce the concepts of self-care and wellness for parents, siblings, and service providers. The facilitators will discuss and share how to use these concepts to create a state of inner calm and resilience in us and how this can help us to be more available to support others. The participants will learn the foundation of self-care and practice self-compassion and mindfulness through art-making.
Anxiety Treatments workshop
June 23, 2019 at PALS Autism Society Adult Program
This half-day training course focuses on developing practical strategies for working with various groups of children and adults living with autism and other cognitive challenges. The participants will learn the psychological and physical symptoms of anxiety and strategies for managing stress. Also, they will practice using the arts (art, music, writing, movement, drama, etc.) as a modality to promote healthy self-expression, cultivate confidence, and create a connectedness. This workshop is a comprehensive and practical resource for parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals.
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association Conference 2019
Working with Autism and Other Cognitive Disabilities
Saturday, January 19, 2019 at PALS Autism Society Adult Program
This half-day training course focuses on developing practical strategies for working with various groups of children and adults living with autism, disabilities, and emotional & physical challenges. The participants will learn how to build rapport using arts, to communicate through creativity, and to bring the interventions with this particular population in clinical practice. Also, this workshop will describe the journey of therapeutic processes and the benefits of expressive arts in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
This half-day training course focuses on developing practical strategies for working with various groups of children and adults living with autism, disabilities, and emotional & physical challenges. The participants will learn how to build rapport using arts, to communicate through creativity, and to bring the interventions with this particular population in clinical practice. Also, this workshop will describe the journey of therapeutic processes and the benefits of expressive arts in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).