Sometimes clients don’t know how to talk about their feelings or what’s bothering them; all they know is that they are having trouble coping with life’s challenges.

This is where art therapy, and other creative approaches come in. Art offers clients a somatic and expressive way to start exploring how they are feeling and provides a playful way to communicate those feelings.

I endeavor to create a warm and welcoming space where clients can feel comfortable trying new things and expressing themselves in new ways within a supportive relationship.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist and a Concordia University graduate with a Master’s degree in art therapy, with over ten years of clinical experience working with clients with depression, anxiety, trauma and eating disorders. I have worked at numerous community and clinical agencies, and have been a faculty member of the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, teaching and advising students for 8 years.

Client Focus: Individuals, couples and families; children and adolescents (children under 8 seen with their parents)

Types of therapy: Psychodynamic, CBT, Narrative, Mindfulness

Issues: Anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders and relationship challenges Sexuality and gender (LGBTQ+), fertility, postpartum and parenting issues, and ADHD

Sometimes clients don’t know how to talk about their feelings or what’s bothering them; all they ... Read More

Sometimes it can be hard to talk about certain life experiences; we might not always want to talk about it but still feel like we need support. Art therapy can offer you the space and time to safely process different thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way.

I utilize a holistic, creative, and collaborative approach in the art therapy that celebrates each client’s unique interests, needs, concerns, and goals. I strive to create a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for all individuals to feel comfortable to express themselves and get curious through the creative process.

Experience:

Mollia Kennedy, BFA, DTATI, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) is an artist and art therapist with a completed bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts and Psychology from York University (2020) and a recent graduate from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (2023).

Mollia has experience providing art psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults across our community facing a variety of life challenges or concerns. With a person-centred focus and unconditional positive regard, Mollia can help support individuals process life events, explore new perspectives, and deepen personal connections.

Client Focus: Adults, Older Adults, individuals, children (starting at 6+)

Types of therapy: Mindfulness-based art therapy, person-centred, humanistic, emotions-focused bereavement art therapy,

Issues: Anxiety, Depression, Isolation, Life Transitions, Pain Management, Stress and Burnout, Terminal Illness, Grief and Loss, Self-Esteem and Identity, and Sexuality and Gender (LGBTQA+).

Sometimes it can be hard to talk about certain life experiences; we might not always want to talk... Read More

Sonja Knaus graduated with her Master in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and her Bachelor in Music Therapy with a Minor in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has also had the opportunity to take the Neurologic Music Therapy training. She completed four full-time clinical internships in pediatric rehabilitation, private psychotherapy and counselling clinic, palliative and oncology care, and long-term care and palliative care at Sunnybrook. Sonja enjoys working with people of all ages and hopes to continue advancing the uses of music therapy in mental health care and healthcare as a whole.

Currently, her clinical work is largely focused on hospital work with the pediatric population. This includes outpatient mental health, inpatient oncology and general medicine, and helping siblings of patients who are dealing with anticipatory grief and bereavement. Sonja also works with children and adolescents with ASD/ADHD, behavioural, and mental health concerns. Sonja has also worked extensively in long-term care, adult day programs, and community mental health. She uses a combination of a person-centered, humanistic, and culture informed approach, and believes that people can use music in various ways to tap into their inner strengths and potential for positive growth.

In addition to her clinical work in music therapy, Sonja is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Sonja has foundational training in DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), and may draw from these therapy modalities to help clients with various goals and concerns.

Sonja Knaus graduated with her Master in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and her Ba... Read More