Art Therapy | Chronic Illness & Pain Relief
Living with chronic illness or pain may shape many parts of your life, but it does not diminish the fullness of who you are.
Chronic illness and pain can narrow your world. They can make your body feel unpredictable or unfamiliar. Through the creative process, we work gently with what is here—not to override it, but to build a different relationship with it. We may not be able to change what is happening in the body, but we can expand what feels possible within it.
Art therapy might be a good fit for you if
- You’re living with persistent pain, illness, fatigue, or physical limitation.
- You've experienced trauma related to medical procedures, diagnosis, or the healthcare system
- You’re a caregiver supporting a loved one with ongoing medical needs.
- Your identity has shifted. The life you planned no longer fits your body or present reality.
- Ongoing symptoms or uncertainty are taking a toll on your mental health.
There’s no instruction book for making sense of an illness or health condition that doesn’t follow a clear timeline, or how to support a nervous system living with grief, ongoing uncertainty, and loss of trust in the body. This is where creative expression can offer support.
What if it were possible to move from
- Living in conflict with your body to relating to it with more acceptance and compassion.
- Feeling defined by limitations, symptoms, or loss to reconnecting with a sense of self that exists beyond illness.
- Feeling overwhelmed by what can’t be changed to finding moments of relief, agency, and meaning within what is.
You deserve a flexible, low-demand therapeutic approach that feels steady and responsive, especially when you have been living with unpredictability and uncertainty.
Art therapy is a gentle and life-affirming process that respects your body’s limits, supports a sense of wellbeing, and offers a way to process difficult emotions, loss, and identity shifts when talking feels too exhausting or falls short. Creative expression can help you feel more relaxed and content, while also inviting moments of vitality, inspiration, and connection.
Together, we’ll identify materials and processes that spark your curiosity and adapt to your capacity. Through art-making, we create opportunities for flow—states of focused attention that can reduce stress and self-monitoring, soften pain and discomfort, support emotional regulation, and offer a sense of control and satisfaction through pleasurable experience.
Hi, I’m Karen, a
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and
Professional Art Therapist specializing in palliative and restorative support for people whose lives have been impacted by illness, injury, disability, or caregiving stress.
With deep respect for your body’s inherent wisdom, I offer a space for creative rest and healing, where you can develop a personal art-supply “medicine cabinet”: practical, therapeutic tools that help you respond intuitively to the needs of your body, mind, and spirit.
When words feel inadequate or healing starts to feel like work, it may be a signal that your body needs something different.
I offer flexible session lengths in 60, 75, and 90 minute formats to suit your needs
For clients living with chronic illness or pain, we often begin with 60-minute sessions to support pacing, energy conservation, and nervous system capacity.
Longer sessions are available when helpful and are chosen collaboratively, based on your needs, capacity, and goals.
60 minute session - $180
BOOK NOW- Respects limited and fluctuating energy
- Reduces post-session crashes
- Supports nervous system regulation
- Makes therapy sustainable rather than another thing to recover from
75 minute session - $220
BOOK NOWSupports:
- Slower pacing
- People who prefer a little more time for creative processes to settle or unfold
- Integration without rushing
- Clients who already know their limits
90 minute session - $260
BOOK NOWCan be especially supportive for trauma work. Offered when capacity is well established or sessions are less frequent.
Cancellation and Payment Policy
I ask for a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule a session. Sessions cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours, as well as missed appointments, are subject to a late cancellation/no-show fee equal to the full session rate.
I understand that chronic health flares and caregiving emergencies can arise unexpectedly. When these situations occur, I apply this policy with discretion. When possible, clients are encouraged to reschedule rather than cancel, as this supports continuity of care and the sustainability of my practice.
Payment: Payment is due prior to the start of each session via e-transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How does virtual art therapy work?
Virtual therapy sessions are held through Jane, a secure, encrypted video platform designed to meet Canadian privacy standards, including PIPEDA and PHIPA. All you need is a private space, a stable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone.
Do I need previous art experience?
No. Art therapy doesn’t require any prior experience or artistic skill—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Do I need to purchase expensive supplies?
No. For virtual sessions, I’ll provide a list of simple, affordable materials you may already have, can easily access, or make from scratch. Found, recycled, and natural materials are also welcomed and encouraged.
Where are your services currently available?
I currently provide individual art therapy and counselling sessions to clients residing in the following provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Can I use my insurance for virtual therapy?
I do not bill insurance directly. Clients are responsible for payment at the time of session. Receipts are provided for clients to submit to their extended health benefits plans, where applicable. Coverage and reimbursement depend on your individual plan.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?
I ask for a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule a session. Sessions cancelled or rescheduled within 48 hours, as well as missed appointments, are subject to a late cancellation/no-show fee equal to the full session rate.
