The Artsy Therapist

Hi! I’m Rakshanda.

I’m a Registered Art Therapist (RCAT) and Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with certifications in Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts and Humanistic Integrative Counselling. I practise from a client-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework that recognizes that we all embody creative potential that we can access for personal growth. I believe that art, creativity, and play are potent and insightful coping tools for managing life stressors and healing from trauma. Attuning with our bodies, our imagination, and art materials allows us to feel safe and regulated. Creative engagement can help us all discover ourselves and what we need to embody new, authentic futures.

Here’s a little video of me introducing myself & my approach

About Me

I’m a cisgender South Asian immigrant to Canada and have over 8+ years experience working with children, youth and adults (ages 5 – 70+ years). I have been privileged to work with individuals of all genders and orientations, and from diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on immigrant and racialized communities.

I am passionate about graphic medicine, comics in therapy, digital and online creative processes, as well as traditional arts practices to guide healing. I have been advocating for arts based wellness for the past 15 years,

Contact me to schedule a free consultation. I’d love to hear from you!

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Therapy & Workshops

I offer individual and group psychotherapy and art therapy for all ages. I also customize creativity and wellness workshops and groups for organizations. Services are offered online and in-person.

You don’t need to be an artist to create art, and art doesn’t have to be technically strong to communicate. Symbols, metaphors, colour, textures, shapes, all speak for you and with you. Like the words we choose and our tone of voice, the art we make is unique and personal to each one of us. It can be a way for us to express and untangle what we hold in our hearts and minds, without relying on the spoken word.

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I’m an immigrant and settler to turtle island, grateful to live and work on the traditional lands of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe peoples and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. This land is subject to the Wampum Belt Covenant and the Dish with One Spoon Treaty.