MSc Body Psychology and Body Psychotherapy
East London University

Master’s Level Diploma Art Psychotherapy, CiiAT
Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy

B.A. (Honors) Communication
University of North Dakota, USA

Professional Development (courses/certificates):
CPD accredited Meditation Coach Certification
Exploring Neuroqueer Identities, Neuroqueer Education
Cross-Generational Trauma, Mindsight Institute
Food, Nutrition & Health Professional Certificate, Wageningen University
Core Skills Trauma Cert., Albert Wong, Somatopia
Human Neuroanatomy, University of Michigan
Somatic Approaches for Trauma, Somatopia
Childhood Trauma, Institute of Child Psychology
Specialized Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate, CiiAT
Attachment Informed Art Therapy Certificate, CiiAT

1000+ clinical hours
Professional Member - Canadian Art Therapy Association 

“I have had an incredible experience with Shawna. This was my first time trying art therapy, and I came to it after years of growing restless with other purely talk-based forms of therapy… The body movement work we have done has been fantastic and it has been fascinating to look back at my artwork over time and see clear patterns and a journey that I have experienced.”
_ S. United Kingdom

“I can't say that I was sold on art therapy before I started working with Shawna. But working with her has been such a great experience in such unexpected ways! She is the first therapist I have felt completely comfortable with, enough to speak up about what I need in a particular session or moment. And she's always so encouraging and receptive that it's reinforced the importance of doing that. With Shawna I have been working on different forms of childhood trauma: together we have gone to places in my childhood that I have been terrified of my whole life. And through that process have had some enormously significant breakthroughs! I have really appreciated the balance Shawna has maintained between validating my assessment of my life situations while also providing concrete examples that challenge those assessments.”
_ SK.

“It is like artistic counseling for my life, an honest and clear conversation with my emotions. Shawna has a very particular openness and sensibility, which makes it easier for me to navigate through the vast universe of emotions and experiences.”
_ A. 

“I began working with Shawna during the darkest time of my life. It was really helpful to have our sessions as a stable part of my healing process… I find the art therapy helps me get out the things that you can't put in words… I am much more stable and hold much healthier boundaries after working with Shawna regularly.”
_ L. Ottawa, On.

“Working with Shawna as an Art Therapist has been an amazing experience! It was my first time with Art Therapy and it really made a difference in how I could communicate what was going on inside rather than just talk therapy. …The thing that I liked the most was trying to take large periods of my lived experience with a mental illness and try to codify it in a picture/word form. Making my Mind Map and my Support System Tree were two very valuable exercises. I used them when I had a new appointment with a new doctor and it really helped to explain my lived experience of my illness.”
_ M. 

“Shawna is friendly, yet very professional, and puts you at ease from day 1…Shawna sees things that you don't even realize and then will go deep to find the source and will work with you throughout the whole healing process…What I really admire and respect is that she will never push you more than you are able to cope and manage.”
_O. 

“For me, art therapy has complemented other tools that I acquired through traditional therapy and psychotherapy. It has been a process in which I've learned to approach, from the angle of creativity and the expression of feelings, some of the issues that have been most difficult for me. I highly recommend it to all those people who want to embark on an adventure in which you will be assisted by Shawna to be the captain and the passenger.”
_R.

“The art therapy sessions with Shawna were spaces where I felt very safe to open up and expose my fragility. Through drawing and artistic activities, very deep issues emerged that I did not expect, and we approached them in a loving way, conveyed through art. It is one of the most meaningful therapy experiences that I have ever had. It was a learning experience that left me with valuable tools.
_Y.

All testimonials are shared and translated with permission.
Initials, as well as optional locations, are provided by clients.