For Your Mental Health : Art Therapy, Counselling & Psychotherapy in Ottawa & Toronto
Making Meaning, Creating Change
Find your strength, creativity and inner voice. As your therapist, our role is to support you in gaining the clarity and tools needed to make informed choices as you navigate life’s challenges, successes, and uncertainties.
Art therapy | Counselling | Psychotherapy
Ginkgo Centre for Creative Arts Therapies is located in Ottawa, Ontario and currently provides virtual services to adults of all ages living in Ontario in English, French and Farsi.
Our centre specializes in art therapy: a counselling service that combines art based interventions and therapy to support the expression of emotions, to increase self-awareness and to provide tools to cope with life’s challenges. With the support of a trained professional, art therapy helps to facilitate thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to articulate in words.
Here’s How We Can Work Together
Perhaps this is your first time in therapy or maybe it’s your tenth time, wherever you are in your journey – welcome, you have arrived.
Now that you are here, we invite you to look around, be curious, be skeptical, and if you are unsure of where to start, take a look at our values below to see if we are a good fit for you at this time.
Courage
We believe that each individual has the ability to tap into their own power, to face their fears, to overcome challenges and to grow in the face of adversity; sometimes we just need a little help and that is where we come in.
Our aim is to welcome each person as they are. As a Centre we strive to stay true to our values and are committed to ongoing learning, community outreach and expanding into areas that are new for us (and a bit intimidating).
Authenticity
As therapists in our field and as curious people, we strive to know what we do not know. We recognize that growth is multidimensional and we look toward our colleagues, teachers and Elders to educate us.
Growth
Relationships
Our Centre was established as a collaborative vision between two friends and colleagues. We believe that our connection with ourselves, other people and our environment vastly enriches our lives and in turn, the lives of the people we support.
Our Services
Discover new ways of communicating
Our art therapists create a safe space for you to explore your emotions, confront your challenges, and gain insight into yourself. Through various artistic mediums you will discover new ways of communicating, have the ability to reflect on issues you might be grappling with and have the opportunity to explore your unconscious mind. Art therapy at Ginkgo is offered in both individual and group formats.
Stimulate personal and collective growth
At Ginkgo we facilitate art therapy workshops designed to stimulate personal and collective growth. Through the often less familiar process of making something, participants are provided the opportunity for self-expression, which allows participants to tap into their creativity, to see things in a new way, to learn about themselves, and to expand their personal awareness.
Using evidence-based approaches
Embark on a personalized journey of self-exploration with our Registered Psychotherapists and Canadian Certified Counsellors. Utilizing evidence-based approaches, we delve into the complexities of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we navigate challenges, build coping strategies, and work towards achieving your mental health goals.
Everyone is an artist
The Art Hives Network connects small and regenerative community art studios (known as Art Hives) to strengthen and promote inclusive, welcoming art spaces across around the world. At the heart of its mission, an art hive believes that everyone is an artist and works to promote local community engagement. Our art hive facilitators host pop-up art hives in various locations in Ottawa. Sign up to our mailing list to find out when and where the next pop-up will be!
Each individual has the ability to tap into their own power, to face their fears, to overcome challenges and to grow in the face of adversity
Therapeutic Approach
(Types of Therapy)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that helps people accept tough emotions and thoughts. It encourages them to take actions that match their values and to be more adaptable in their thinking. ACT combines mindfulness techniques with strategies for changing behavior to improve overall well-being.
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Art therapy is a therapeutic practice that uses creative processes like drawing, painting, and sculpture to help individuals express emotions, explore personal issues, and improve mental health. It fosters self-expression and healing, especially when verbal communication is difficult.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that is organized and focused on reaching specific goals. It helps people recognize and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. By doing this, it teaches them healthier ways to think and cope with problems like anxiety, depression, and stress.
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The humanistic approach in therapy highlights that everyone has the ability to grow, understand themselves, and find fulfillment. It creates a supportive and non-judgmental space where people can explore their feelings, see their potential, and make important choices in their lives.
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The Person-Centered approach is a way of helping people that focuses on their own views and choices. It believes that everyone has the ability to heal themselves. This approach aims to create a caring and understanding space where people feel safe to explore their feelings and grow personally.
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The Strengths-Based approach is all about finding and using a person's strengths and positive qualities to help them grow and bounce back from difficulties. Instead of focusing on what they struggle with, this approach highlights what they do well. This way, it empowers them to tackle challenges more effectively.
Common Concerns
(A list of places to begin)
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Anxiety involves constant worry or fear, while depression is often marked by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of interest in things you once enjoyed. Therapy helps by teaching ways to manage these emotions and improve mood.
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Attachment issues stem from early relationships and can affect how we connect with others. Therapy can help uncover these patterns and build healthier, more secure connections.
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Burnout often comes from feeling exhausted or overwhelmed by work or responsibilities. Therapy supports finding balance, managing stress, and setting boundaries to prevent exhaustion.
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Sometimes, people feel stuck or unable to express themselves creatively. Therapy can explore what’s holding them back and encourage self-expression to reignite creativity.
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Family dynamics can be complex, and conflicts may arise. Therapy provides a space to work through family-related stressors, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.
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Grieving can be deeply painful and may take time. Therapy offers support through the loss, helping individuals process their feelings and find a way forward.
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These emotions can weigh heavily and affect self-esteem. Therapy helps explore the roots of guilt or shame, guiding people toward self-compassion and healing.
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Struggling with identity can involve questioning one’s values, goals, or place in the world. Therapy supports self-exploration to help individuals feel more grounded in who they are.
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Constantly striving for perfection can be exhausting and stressful. Therapy can help set realistic goals, reduce self-criticism, and embrace imperfections.
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Learning to be kinder to oneself can improve mental well-being. Therapy encourages building self-compassion as a way to improve how individuals see themselves and handle challenges.
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Low self-esteem can hold people back. Therapy works on building a more positive self-image and confidence in one’s abilities and worth.
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Life’s demands can lead to overwhelming stress. Therapy provides tools to manage stress more effectively and improve resilience.
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Trauma results from distressing experiences that can have lasting effects. Therapy offers a safe space to process trauma and regain a sense of control and safety.
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