Accès Art
We are a company that promotes creative approaches to well-being and mental health. We see art as a way of self-discovery.
Our name, Access Art Therapy, speaks for itself: we would like to give all our clients the possibility to access deeper knowledge about themselves through the artistic process.
We offer integrated creative arts therapy services for children, adults, and companies.
Our Mission
Our mission is to accompany our clients in achieving their goals and reaching their full potential, by offering an alternative, deeper approach to their problems.
Our approach is based on the latest neuroscientific research stating that creativity and expression through art are the easiest ways to get in touch with painful memories, to rewire our brain, and enhance our well-being.
We strive to make the creative art therapies and their benefits known on a larger scale, providing affordable services to all our clients.
A word from our president
The idea of building a company that uses creative art therapy aligns with a great need in our current world. Being an art therapist and artist, I constantly see in my sessions the undenyable healing power of the artistic process.
Holder of two master degrees, in art therapy and fine arts, my professional career includes art therapy services for seniors, for clients of all ages with various life challenges, and Inuit and First Nations adolescents. I collaborate with Concordia University on research projects and I am involved in the promotion of accessible art therapy in communities.
Danielle Beaudet (She/Her/Hers) MA, ATPQ
I am an interdisciplinary art therapist, artist, and teacher. Holding a master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapies in art therapy and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio arts from Concordia University, I am passionate about working with clients of all ages from diverse cultural backgrounds. My ability to empathize and to listen aids me to quickly build strong relationships with her clients. My clinical practice is based on a humanistic and client-centered approach that supports self-expression and helps clients achieve their goals. Lately, I am focusing on how art therapy can accompany children and adolescents to work through challenging emotions and experiences, such as isolation, depression, anxiety, and trauma in a post-COVID situation.
Book a free consultation with me - I am perfectly bilingual and fluent in English and French.
Maria Cucuetu (She/Her/Hers) MA, ATPQ
I want to take a moment to introduce myself as an experienced art therapist and a professional member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association, dedicated to supporting you or your children in restoring their well-being and psychological growth. I have witnessed the transformative power of artistic expression in therapy, and I approach my work with attentive listening, deep respect, and empathy. After completing my studies in Fine Arts at the Alberta University of Arts, I discovered the incredible potential of art therapy while working at CUPS Calgary. As a result, I pursued specialized training in art therapy.
Following my Master's studies at the University of Barcelona, I had the opportunity to work in school environments (in Barcelona) with autistic children with ADHD, brain impairment, and children with challenging behaviours. After being invited to Israel to work on a Ph.D. research proposal, I continued my private practice in Berlin.
As part of Accès Art team, I am committed to providing my clients with the necessary tools and guidance to navigate their emotions and experiences through the creative process. Engaging in art therapy can help you or your child develop coping mechanisms, enhance self-awareness, and foster personal growth.
Book a consultation with me by clicking the button below. I am fluent in English, Spanish, Romanian, and French (advanced).
Carmen Oprea MA, MFA, ATR-BC, RCAT
I am an art therapist with post-graduate training in sandplay therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy. My academic training includes a master in Art Therapy from Concordia University and a master in Fine Arts from Europe. Offering individual and group art therapy sessions for children and adults of all age, I combine a person-centred orientation with extensive clinical skills in accompanying my clients when dealing with traumatic events, depression, anxiety, dysfunctional patterns, life transitions, work-related stress, and relationship difficulties. Trusting that every individual has the skills and knowledge for the unique journey toward self-discovery and self-healing, I provide culturally sensitive interventions suited for each client’s challenges and with respect for their traditions. When words cannot describe the depth of one’s own experience, art therapy provides an alternative way to communicate, strengthen self-esteem, cultivate resilience, and guide emotional growth. No previous artistic experience or skill is needed, only a willingness to experiment with art materials and a curiosity to explore the personal meaning behind it.
I also provide individual and group art-based supervision. If you are a therapist searching for supervision or an art therapist looking for your ATR certification, please contact me.
I conduct therapy or supervision in English, French, and Romanian.
Hanieh Tohidi MA, ATPQ
I am an experienced art therapist with over 8 years of professional practice. I work with a diverse clientele, including adults, children aged 6-12, families, groups, and young adults aged 18-25. My expertise spans across psychological disorders such as ADHD, eating disorders, and mood disorders, as well as issues related to motherhood and identity transitions due to immigration and cultural shocks.
I offer offers mainly telehealth services and online consultations through a confidential platform, ensuring accessibility for all clients.
My therapeutic approaches include Acceptance Commitment Therapy, trauma-informed care, client-centered methods, and mindfulness. I employ various art therapy techniques, such as the studio (non-directive) approach, arts education approach, and processes centred on the artistic experience, following the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC). I also integrate play therapy techniques into my practice with children.
I hold a Master's degree in Creative Arts Therapies from Concordia University, and I am committed to providing compassionate and effective therapeutic support. I am perfectly bilingual in English and Farsi.
Our Approaches
Here are our therapeutic approaches. Click on each picture for more information.
Art Therapy
Art therapy uses art materials to help the clients visualize their strengths, their goals, problems, blockages, and foster a good insight into dealing effectively with negative feelings and thinking. The underlying goal of art therapy is to improve the client’s well-being.
Sandplay Therapy
Sandplay therapy uses a tray of sand (of a specific dimension), miniatures of people, animals, vegetation, toys, etc. to help create an image in the sand. It is an approach suitable for both children and adults, addressing our capacity to heal ourselves.
Expressive Arts Therapies
To get deeper into emotions and reconnect mind and body, our therapists use music and drama, along with mindfulness techniques. From trying and making various instruments, to role-playing, we offer a range of interventions that facilitate self-expression.Services
Individual Therapy
Starting at 130$CA per session
Accès Art offers therapeutic support through art and sandplay therapy for clients of all ages experiencing life and relationship challenges. We support you in questioning and overpassing personal problems related to stress and anxiety, trauma, grief, separation, depression, addiction, emotional management, and more.
Group Therapy
Starting at 45$CA per session
Our team facilitates group therapy for children and adults, in a non-judgemental and safe space, using creative approaches. We offer support groups and our regular trimestrial groups on various themes, from promoting self-efficacy and well-being to acquiring skills in anxiety, depression, etc.
Thematic Workshops
Contact us to get the pricing
We offer educational and training workshops on various topics to children and parents in schools, to caregivers in community centers or senior residences, etc. Besides, we provide workshops covering a variety of themes like self-esteem, anxiety, social skills that include an experiential module.
Services for Companies
Contact us to get the pricing
We offer a variety of services accommodating the needs of each company, including workshops on various topics including stress-reduction and enhancing communication in teams. We bring in your venues, for your employees, Lunch & Learn sessions on various topics demystifying mental health.
Testimonials
“I loved the self-awareness workshop at the Employment Club. What a great idea to make us more groomed to who we are, what we can offer and how a job can help us! And not always thinking about what an employer is looking for in us...”
(Translated from French)
Julie
Maude
“My daughter is doing well in school and with friends, and has learned a lot about herself during this process. We thank you for your time with her and hope you and your wonderful practice are doing well!”
“I learned something with Carmen, my therapist. If I did not succeed when I first try a new skill, this is not because I am weak, it is because I did not have any knowledge yet. Now I have the patience (and confidence) to try a few times. And it works!”
J.T.
R. A.
“I did not imagine that making diagrams, vision boards, and collages about myself will bring me so much clarity and insight! Thank you for this journey.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you offer free initial consultation?
Yes, we offer a free phone or in-person half-hour initial consultation. During this consultation we will briefly discuss what brought you in therapy, our approach, and other details related the therapy that you may want to know.
What should I expect from a session?
The first session is usually a free discussion regarding your problems and your goals. The following sessions the art therapist will start to support your process towards meeting your goals, working together on visualising the concerns and finding healthy ways to deal with them.
How long is a session?
The individual sessions are usually 50 min long. The group sessions are longer and vary depending on the topic and type. Please check the group sessions here, for a better idea.
Do I need to bring art materials?
Of course not! The art therapy room has a great variety of art materials. The therapist will either invite you to choose your materials, or will suggest some, depending on the goals of the session.
Do I need to have any artistic skill?
No previous artistic experience or skill is needed for the sessions. You will be invited to use art materials as helpers to access your strengths easier, so the emphasis is on self-expression and not on the esthetics of the artwork.
Is this service confidential?
As any therapeutic service, art therapy is confidential, that meaning the therapist will not be allowed to disclose any information shared by you in the sessions. However, the therapist is required by law to report any imminent danger to harm yourself or/and others.
How can I pay?
You can pay cash, by interac transfer, or by cheque prior or at the end of the session. Unfortunately we do not accept any payment through cards.
How and when can I cancel an appointment?
You can cancel your appointment by phone or email 24 hours before the confirmed date. If you cancel it after this time, a cancellation fee will be applied to your account and you will be required to pay it prior your following session.
Blog
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May 5, 2020
How does art therapy work
The art therapist Bruce Moon, points out that “some people think that the purpose of therapy is to help individuals to come to know and accept truths about their lives”. Many clients come to therapy, expecting the therapist to “fix” their problem(s).
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April 21, 2020
What is mental health and when to seek help?
A discussion about mental health tends to find many of us unguarded and in denial, since it is so stigmatized in our society, a label that nobody wants to have. However, what is mental health?
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Apr 10, 2020
Effectiveness of art therapy with adults
Without having to spend time hearing each person’s story of anxiety and blame, the art product can be created simultaneously by everyone drawing at the same time, which increases the number of meaningful conversations.
Contact Us
Need to know more about us? Need an appointment? Get In Touch
We are happy to answer your questions related to our services, approaches, or appointments. Please contact us via this form or directly at info@accesart.ca or at +1 (438) 796-3281. Rest assured that we will do our best to answer as clearly and quickly as possible. We are looking forward to hearing from you!