About Me
Hi there, I’m Katlyn
I create space for people to connect with God and others through online art therapy spaces.
I believe making art is a powerful way to express and process emotions, connect with and hear from God and other people because I have discovered this in my own life.
I have always felt emotions strongly, ever since I was a kid. They would feel like a raging fire within me and at times overwhelming. I would often hide my emotions but that didn’t help me get them back to a steady, manageable burn (my blue flame). I found out it wasn’t about hiding my emotions but about expressing them in good ways so that they may burn at a manageable level.
Art has always been one of the supports that has helped me express my emotions. When I have made art and been witnessed by others in a supportive space, it has been powerful for my healing.
God has also spoken to me through the art I make. This has allowed me to have hope, find solutions, healing and rest from the things that ail me. This has been my experience and now I provide safe spaces where other individuals can express themselves creatively, be witnessed by God and others and find healing through art.
Wherever you are in your relationship with God, whether it’s been a while since you talked, whether you have church hurt, or you are fairly close to him but want to connect in a different way, you’re welcome here.
If you are curious to know more about me, art therapy, and how to connect with God through art follow me on Instagram.
If you would like to chat more with me about art therapy, how 1:1 sessions look, my methods and views, book a free video call with me and we can chat about it.
If you’re seeking one-to-one therapy, to join an art therapy group or want to join a free workshop check out my services page below.
My Approach
I offer a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to art therapy for individuals and groups. This means how I hold space in a session is by listening to the client, making interpretations of their art with them, allowing the client to lead what they would like to work on and talk about. I am always learning and love for the art therapy sessions to suite what you would like as the client. I see each person as a unique individual with their own life experiences and story.
I often use mindfulness and breathing exercises with clients who experience anxiety or emotional dysregulation. When working with adult clients I offer plenty of freedom and spontaneous art directives to allow relevant unconscious content for the client to come up. I believe in the ability of the unconscious to show us inner conflicts which when processed can help us learn and grow. Often the way the subconscious can come up is through art, dreams and stories. Depending on the populations and client needs, I use techniques ranging from structured to spontaneous art making in the art therapy space.
My Experience
I have experience working with pre-teens (ages 8-13) in a school setting, seniors with dementia, young adults in university, and adults online.
Some areas I have experience in are …
- lack of freedom and enjoyment in making art (also known as artists’ block) often due to pressures from attending art university or working as a professional artist
- Anxiety and depression
- Learning self-compassion
- Neuro-diversities (Autism and ADHD)
My Credentials
Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
Art Therapy Diploma
Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary, Alberta
Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree, Majored in Drawing
Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta
Fine Arts Diploma
Art Therapy
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy uses art to therapeutically explore and process emotions, grow self-awareness, develop social skills, solve problems, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem. Art therapy can provide people with an opportunity for healing and personal growth.
If you have a hard time expressing your emotions through words, art therapy is worth a try. You do not have to have any art skills to participate in art therapy.
What is Special About Art Therapy?
Art is a visual language which means it can give people ways to express emotions in a non-verbal way through images, colour, and metaphors. This is helpful for those who have a hard time expressing themselves verbally like children and neurodiverse folks.
Often personal stories, metaphors and images are easier to talk about because it gives us a little bit of distance from the personal pain attached to events, memories and our stories. Unpacking our experiences and emotions through this way is helpful because it is a less direct and therefore more gentle way of processing sensitive experiences.
Art can help us connect with our subconscious which holds information about how an interaction or experience may be affecting us under the surface, in a way that causes us pain.
What Issues Can Art Therapy Help With?
- Self-esteem
- Body image
- Emotional dysregulation
- Poor communication and social skills
- Difficulty expressing/accepting feelings
- Problem-solving
- Poor boundaries
- Stress
- Grief and loss
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism) symptoms
- Difficulty in having fun creating art (“Artists’ Block”)
- Connection to your spirituality
- Family dynamics eg. divorce
- Social isolation
- Aggressive behaviour (anger outbursts, bullying)
Have More Questions About Art Therapy?
The information above just scratches the surface of what Art Therapy is and it’s potential to help. If you are curious to learn more about how art therapy, let’s chat over a free 30 minute consultation.