Patricia Roles' Virtual E-counseling Room

Deer Lake,Burnaby,BC,Canada

About Art Therapy

By Pat Roles, MSW, RSW, BCATR, Registered Art Therapist

Find Out About Art Therapy Sessions with Pat Roles in Vancouver, BC

Find Out About Clinical Supervision with Pat Roles

Art therapy is therapy where the focus is on the the creative art process rather than the product. The individual who creates the art is the one who attributes meaning to the piece, not the therapist. Art therapy is not about analyzing the art to find hidden meaning. Art is like a mirror for the artist can can be a means of self-reflection and self-awareness. Anything that is creative has part of the creator in it as it draws on the individual's personal experience such as poetry, songwriting, story writing, music, drama and visual art. Expression is found through the creative process and solutions to problems are explored by looking outside the box. Art therapy draws on the imagination that is inherent in everyone.

Art therapy is a collaborative process between the client and the therapist. Whether sessions or structured or not is negotiated as to what works best for the client. Some people appreciate some structure and direction, whereas others are more self-directed in the art process.

Using art as a modality can be a way to help with the expression of difficult feelings. The saying is that a picture says a thousand words, so images can show what a individual might not be able to in words.

Art Therapy is making art for a purpose. The therapist helps the client establish goals and direction to work on through art. It is art as a means of expression that can be more non-verbal or an adjunct to verbal communication.

Therapy through art isn't just about drawing and painting. It can be making things from construction paper, using glue, photography, fabric, sand, and objects, finger painting, clay and construction, or paper mache. The imagination is the limit. It is about exploring what is unfamiliar to help expand thinking and expression. Or for some who might be more intensely expressive and get lost in the art, it might be about finding boundaries in the materials. Everyone has different goals.

Verbal expression is involved in art therapy, however, it is an approach that doesn't require a lot of verbal conversation if this is not desired by the client. Individuals who are verbal can enter into dialogue about the art and explore issues further.

Art as therapy is appropriate for individuals of any age. An interest in art is a common reason individuals often decide to try art therapy as they feel a comfort in the medium. For these individuals, this comfort can help art to feel like an easier way to engage in therapy.

Art therapy is not just for children and teenagers. Adults benefit from art therapy. Art can be also be used in family therapy. For families it can be a way to see communication and interaction patterns as they become visible through art activities. It can also be a way to work toward solutions as a family on common problems. It is especially useful as a way for children to participate in therapy and in family therapy as they tend to enjoy the process more easily. Art is often something children and youth are more familiar with than adults so it helps to elevate the children's voice in family therapy by empowering the children and teens.

An individual does not need to be technically good at art to benefit from art therapy. In fact, sometimes someone who is really skilled in the technical side of art can focus so much on doing a good job with the product that the process is not noticed. Other artists see how much of themselves are in the art so they may both appreciate the process but also feel vulnerable.

About the Author:

Pat Roles, MSW, RSW, BCATR, is a registerd art therapist as well as a registered social worker who completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Art Therapy at the BC School of Art Therapy in Victoria in 1989. She completed her MSW in 1981 and has worked in hospitals as a therapist with both medical and mental health programs. She has also been a clinical supervisor for 19 years. Pat has worked with children and teenagers individually with art therapy, as well as facilitated art therapy groups and used art therapy as part of family therapy. Find out more about Pat Roles: Credentials and Counselling Experience

Art Therapy Sessions in Vancouver:

Art therapy is offered by Pat Roles for children, youth, adults and families in an office in Vancouver and not the Burnaby location. Face-to-face individual or family therapy is available at both the Vancouver and Burnaby locations.

Booking Appointments & Pay Online Options via Credit Card

Booking Your Appointment

Face-to-face Counselling Fees: $95 (Canadian) per hour

The most efficient way to book an appointment is via email, or you can phone: 604-375-9215.

REQUEST APPOINTMENT VIA EMAIL

Office Locations

Burnaby:

Boundary Square, 3rd floor, Kingsway and Boundary Road

Daytime appointments only.

View a map for the Burnaby office location: Map to Central Park Business Centre, Suite 300 - 3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC, V5R 5W2

Vancouver:

1210-750 West Broadway (Fairmont Medical Building)

Wednesday evening appointments. Daytime appointments on Friday and Saturday. Other times variable.

View a map for the Vancouver office location: Map to Fairmont Medical Building, 750 W Broadway, Vancouve, BC



  • Cancellations must be made prior to 48 hours in advance, otherwise a $25 fee will be charged to cover office fees. If the cancellation is within 24 hours then a cancellation fee will be charged equal to the 1 hour counselling fee. If the spot can be filled by someone on the waiting list, then the cancellation fee will be waived.

  • Art Therapy Sessions are only available in Vancouver.


    Payment Options

    Once you have booked and confirmed your face-to-face individual or family therapy appointment with Patricia Roles via email, then you have various payment options. You may pay on the day of the appointment by cheque or cash. If you wish to pay via credit card through Paypal, then this transaction needs to take place prior to your appointment. Follow the directions below to pay by credit card.

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    IMPORTANT DETAILS:

    Once the payment is made Paypal notifies this site via email immediately.

    Credit Card Processing: PayPal offers secure on line credit card transactions. First time PayPal users can sign up after choosing the session and clicking on the PayPal button below.


    Pay for a 1 hour face-to-face counselling session in Pat Roles' local office

    $120 (Canadian funds):


    Pay for longer 1 1/2 hour face-to-face counselling session in Pat Roles' local office

    $160 (Canadian funds):



  • If you encounter problems at any time, you can send an email:

    Contact Patricia Roles Re: problems with appointments or payment@E-mailtherapy



    Consultation and Clinical Supervision for Professionals

    Supervision and consultation is available to other therapists upon request. This may be an individual one time consultation or regular supervision sessions. Consultation can be in areas of individual or family therapy, online counselling, art therapy or play therapy. Depending upon your location the supervision may be able to take place in your place of employment. Therapists can phone or e-mail to inquire further at:

    604-375-9215 or by email:

    Contact Patricia Roles Re: Inquiry About Clinical Consultation


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    Patricia Roles, MSW, RSW, BCATR
    Registered Social Worker and Registered Art Therapist
    Vancouver & Burnaby, British Columbia
    Canada
    Online Counselling via Email @ www.e-mailtherapy.com and Face-to-face Counselling
    604-375-9215


    © Patricia Roles, Virtual E-counseling Room, e-mailtherapy.com, Burnaby, BC, Canada