ART THERAPY
Sarah Byrne
Expressive Art Therapist
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Sarah is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin from which she earned a B.Ed Honours Degree. She has been teaching for over twenty years and is a huge advocate for the arts within education.
Originally from Ireland, she moved to Vancouver in 2011 where she has been immersed inthe world of Special Education and where she also discovered her passion for helping students to learn through therapeutic methods. Sarah became certified as an OGP (Orton Gillingham Practitioner) in 2023 completing her practicum through REACH North Vancouver. She also completed the diploma course in Expressive Arts Therapy through VATI (Vancouver Art Therapy Institute) and is a certified Expressive Arts Therapist with a Registered Therapeutic Counselor accreditation through the ACCT (Association of
Cooperative Counseling Therapists of Canada). Sarah plans to continue her studies in Expressive Arts Therapy by undertaking the Masters Program starting July 2025 through the European Graduate School in Switzerland.
Sarah offers both 1:1 Orton Gillingham sessions as well as Expressive Arts Therapy sessions for all ages.
As Sarah continues to work, full time, as a teacher at KGMS (Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School) in North Vancouver she has limited availability and currently has a waitlist.
Please email her at sbyrneexat@gmail.com if you have an interest to learn more about Orton Gillingham or Expressive Arts Therapy sessions and secure a spot or join the waitlist.
Golnoosh Zeinali Expressive Art Therapist
Golnoosh is a graduate of the Expressive Arts Therapy program and is continuing her Master
degree in Switzerland. She is a passionate practitioner with a strong foundation in visual arts,
music, and a variety of creative approaches that support emotional and developmental growth.
Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, she began her creative journey in childhood—studying music
and later attending an arts high school focused on drawing, painting, and traditional crafts. She
earned her Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the University of Art in Tehran.
Since immigrating to Vancouver over a decade ago, Golnoosh has expanded her creative practice
and therapeutic work, supporting children, youth, and adults in schools, after-school programs,
and community organizations. Her approach blends visual art, music, and movement to create
engaging, culturally sensitive, and play-based experiences. She is especially passionate about
working with neurodivergent children and youth, helping them build communication,
confidence, and emotional safety through creative exploration. Collaboration is at the heart of
her work—she values close partnerships with families and professionals, and tailors each session
to the sensory needs, interests, and pace of the individual. Golnoosh believes creativity and
imagination are not just forms of expression, but essential pathways to connection, healing, and
joy.
Please email Golnoosh at Golnoosh.Zeinali1@outlook.com
to schedule an appointment.
Hanna Bowen
Expressive Art Therapist
Hanna (she/her) is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC), Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, and certified in Therapeutic Play. Her approach embraces the sensory, non-verbal intelligence of the creative mind, helping individuals reconnect with their innate ability to play and support their well-being at any stage in life.
Hanna works with children (3+), teens, and adults using creative and play modalities to address a range of therapeutic goals, from nervous system support to emotional processing.
After a 10-year career in the apparel industry as a colour designer, and as a neurodivergent individual, Hanna made the decision to shift into meaningful, soulful work. She re-trained as a therapist at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and is also pursuing an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy with Psychology.
Hanna is available at This World's Ours on Mondays.
Hanna currently has one last spot available on Mondays at 5:30 PM and would be delighted to connect with you if you’re interested at hannasbowen@gmail.com
Caoímhe Mac Allister
Art Therapist
Hello! My name is Caoímhe (pronounced “Qwee-vah”). I’m a certified Art Therapist and a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT).
I trained at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute (VATI) and have experience supporting many different communities, with a special focus on neurodiverse and additional needs populations. Much of my work has been with autistic children and adults. As someone with ADHD myself, I feel passionate about creating affirming, supportive spaces for the neurodiverse community through art therapy.
My approach is person-centred and strengths-based. I believe in offering a safe, welcoming space built on respect, empathy, and dignity, where each person can explore their creativity and move toward positive change at their own pace.
I’m originally from Ireland and have called beautiful BC home for the past six years. Outside of work, I enjoy crafting, film photography, exploring nature, thrifting, and reading.
I am currently offering art therapy sessions both in-person and online. If you would like to book in for a session, or if you would like to book a free connection call to see if art therapy might be a good fit for you or your child, please email me at arttherapywithcaoimhe@gmail.com.
Email: arttherapywithcaoimhe@gmail.com
Instagram: @arttherapywithcaoimhe
Harsheen Chadha Art Therapist
I am Harsheen Kaur Chadha (she/her), an Art Therapist and Registered Clinical Counsellor with
a Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy from Adler University, Vancouver. I relate
closely to an animal, that is pandas - playful, calm, and curious - which reflects how I show up in
the therapy space, especially when working with children, teens, and young adults. I create a
non-judgemental, empathetic environment that values collaboration, creativity, authenticity,
boundaries, structure when needed, and a deep respect for each person’s unique journey.
My approach is flexible and client-centred, integrating Art in Therapy, Art as Therapy, and play-
based methods. I also draw from evidence-based practices and trauma-informed, neurodiversity-
affirming frameworks with a strong focus on cultural competence. Whether it’s emotional
regulation, anxiety, relationships, identity, neurodiverse experiences, coping behaviours,
addictions or trauma, I support clients in using creative expression as a pathway to understanding
and healing, especially when words are hard to find.
Art and play are powerful tools in my practice. They help clients explore their emotions in
natural, less intimidating ways. My work supports emotional growth, self-esteem, self-
awareness, self-compassion, mindfulness, sensory regulation, and connection. I create a space
that is sensory-considerate, emotionally attuned, and responsive to each client’s needs, always
taking time to build trust and maintain a professional relationship.
I also work with adults who are looking for expressive pathways to healing without speaking,
especially those who haven’t connected with traditional talk therapy, though that’s always an
option too.
In my sessions, clients are invited to show up just as they are. That might look like parallel art-
making, silence, scribbles, tears, storytelling, painting, collaging, movement, laughter, or play.
There’s no pressure to perform or explain. Together, we create space for healing that honours
each client’s story, identity, and pace. When helpful, I collaborate with caregivers, families, and
other professionals, always with the client’s consent and comfort at the centre.
I believe healing is neither linear nor about fixing. It’s about making space to feel, explore,
reconnect, and grow. I’m here to walk alongside my clients as they do just that.
BIPOC
LGBTQ2S+ Ally
To book a session, please email harsheenkaurchadha@gmail.com