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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Andrea Denny-Jiles
Expressive Art Therapist
Andrea(she/they), has grown up in Vancouver and gratefully acknowledges that she is an uninvited guest working and living on unceded and ancestral territories of the xwmÉ™θkwÉ™yÌ“É™m (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and sÉ™lilwÉ™taɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Andrea has completed the Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma program at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute (VATI). She is also working on her graduate thesis for the European Graduate School where she will earn her Masters in Expressive Arts Therapy in June of 2026.
Andrea holds a Bachelors of Liberal Arts and Science, with a focus on psychology, feminist art practices and cultural studies, from Quest University Canada and a fine arts Diploma from Emily Carr university.
Andrea grew up with dyslexia and ADHD and as such, has personal experience with being a neurodiverse child. She has worked as a mental health facilitator for teens, mental health support for children with autism and has interned as an art therapist for folks affected by FASD. They have a background in theatre, dance and visual arts. Her past works have been centered around community building, engagement and joy.
Andrea is passionate about the creative process and its ability to promote self expression and introspection. She aims to support others in finding their creative voice and works in a resource oriented methodology.
Please email Andrea at adjexpressiveartstherapy@gmail.com to connect further.
Jen Twomey
Art Therapist Intern
My name is Jen, I am an Art Therapy student at Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. I’m from Ireland and have been living in Vancouver for 10 years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Costume Design for Stage and Screen. I’ve been working in the Film/TV Industry with a wide range of people and I’m making a career change to pursue more meaningful and compassionate work, aiming to use my creativity and love of art in a helping profession. I am passionate about supporting neurodiverse children through creative expression and believe that art offers a safe and empowering way for children to communicate, explore emotions and build confidence. In my practice, I aim to create an inclusive and supportive space where each child’s unique way of seeing and engaging with the world is valued and celebrated.
Availability:
Wednesdays 10am-4pm
Saturdays 11am-4pm
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