For many LGBTQIA+ people, “conversion therapy” wasn’t therapy at all—it was a betrayal of trust. Survivors describe it as a form of psychological and spiritual abuse that left deep wounds long after the sessions, prayers, or programs ended. Over the past two decades, research from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. has […]
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I fully support the American Counseling Association’s reaffirmed stance against conversion therapy. The ACA’s recent statement, issued alongside its participation in Chiles v. Salazar before the U.S. Supreme Court, makes something very clear: efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are not therapy. They are harm disguised as help. […]
Classrooms are more than places of academic learning—they are emotional ecosystems where children bring their full selves, including anxiety, anger, sadness, or fears. When a child struggles to regulate emotions, it can affect not only their own learning but also the classroom environment. Teachers often find themselves managing emotional outbursts without the training or support […]
Anger, excitement, sadness, and frustration are all normal emotions in childhood. But school-aged children don’t instinctively know how to manage these big feelings. Emotion regulation—the ability to monitor, evaluate, and modify emotional reactions—is a crucial skill they must learn from the adults around them. As art therapists, caregivers, and educators, we play a critical […]
Belonging is more than just being part of a group—it’s the deep feeling of being accepted, valued, and understood. It often forms through shared experiences, interests, backgrounds, or identities, such as age, culture, faith, or sexuality. For many, it’s where we feel most at home with ourselves and others. Why is it so important? Because […]
At the Montreal Art Therapy Centre, we are dedicated to supporting the well-being of children and youth, particularly those under the care of Youth Protection services, Batshaw Youth and Family Centres or under the care of foster families. Art therapy offers a unique avenue for healing and self-expression, addressing the complex needs of […]
You may have heard the term eating disorder – and perhaps you know someone who lives with one. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions marked by disrupted eating patterns and a harmful impact on both physical and emotional well-being. In this blog, we aim to shed light on what eating disorders are, explore several […]
How Can Art Therapy and Parenting Improve Attachment and Self-Trust in Children? Attachment styles, as explored in psychological literature, significantly influence how we form and maintain relationships in adulthood. Books like Attached offer accessible insights into three primary attachment styles – secure, anxious, and avoidant – helping readers understand the root causes of these patterns […]
Childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more common than many people realize. Research by Delphine Collin-Vézina, a professor at the School of Social Work, and data from Stats Canada reveal that nearly one in three children in Canada has experienced some form of ACE, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction. […]
When addressing the complex challenges of trauma, especially conditions like Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), both traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and art therapy have proven to be effective therapeutic methods. Each approach offers unique benefits, from the structured cognitive techniques of CBT to the expressive and creative avenues provided by art therapy. While CBT focuses […]
