Individual Sessions

Second Year: Art Therapy  ​

Issy was born and raised in Daajing Giids Haida Gwaii, BC where she currently resides. She has a Bachelors degree in Theatre Production and Design from Simon Fraser University where she continues to work remotely in the field as well as at her local medical clinic.

Second Year: Art and Expressive Arts Therapy

Ozzie Tran is an Art and Expressive Arts Therapy student based in Vancouver, dedicated to offering a safe and compassionate space where clients can explore, heal, and grow through creative expression. She supports individuals seeking resilience, inner peace, talent development, and harmony within themselves and their relationships.

Her therapeutic approach integrates intermodality, mindfulness, person-centered focus, nature-based practices, and trauma-informed, multicultural awareness, all grounded in deep compassion and non-judgmental support. This combination helps Ozzie assist clients in fostering healthy self-expression, healing emotional wounds, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and empowerment. Ozzie offers both individual and group therapy to a diverse range of clients, including immigrants, international students, abuse survivors, trauma carriers, teenagers, adults, families, and communities.

Drawing from her experiences as a Vietnamese Canadian immigrant, she has a deep understanding of the challenges related to language barriers, cultural adjustments, support circles, self-esteem, and the quest for identity. Her journey of cultivating inner peace, strength, and compassion led her to expressive arts therapy, where she discovered a path to learn, heal, and serve others. Outside of work, she enjoys nature, Metta meditation, exploring books, and cherishing moments with her cat and loved ones. Ozzie believes in the interconnectedness of all beings and is committed to walking alongside you on your unique path toward healing, growth, and the blossoming of your fullest potential.

Second Year: Art and Expressive Arts Therapy

My name is Véronique Bélanger, and I accompany individuals on their path of self-discovery, healing, and transformation. As a WHEAT student in Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy, a Registered Social Worker, a member of the Ontario College Social Worker and Social Service Worker (OCSWSSW), a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW), and a student member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA), I bring together professional training with a deep commitment to holistic healing.

I believe each person carries an inner wisdom waiting to be expressed. Through art, movement, writing, sound, and creative exploration, I witness and support individuals and groups on their journey towards reconnecting with themselves, releasing what no longer serves them, and discovering their resilience.

If you feel called to explore your inner world through art and healing, I warmly invite you to reach out and join me in a session that will be safe and free of judgment, bringing forward curiosity, creativity, and compassion. __ Bonjour,

Je m’appelle Véronique Bélanger, et j’accompagne les personnes sur leur chemin de découverte de soi, de guérison et de transformation. En tant qu’étudiante au WHEAT en art-thérapie et en thérapie par les arts expressifs, travailleuse sociale inscrite, membre de l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des techniciens en travail social de l’Ontario (OCSWSSW), membre de l’Association des travailleurs sociaux de l’Ontario (OASW), et membre étudiante de l’Association canadienne d’art-thérapie (CATA), j’allie formation professionnelle et engagement profond envers la guérison holistique.

Je crois que chaque personne porte en elle une sagesse intérieure qui attend simplement d’être exprimée. Par l’entremise de l’art, le mouvement, l’écriture, le son et l’exploration créative, je témoigne et j’accompagne les individus et les groupes dans leur parcours afin qu’il puisse être en mesure de se reconnecter à eux-mêmes, se libérer de ce qui ne leur sert plus et découvrir leur résilience.

Si vous ressentez l’appel d’explorer votre monde intérieur par l’art et la guérison, je vous invite chaleureusement à me contacter et à participer à une séance sécuritaire et sans jugement, où la curiosité, la créativité et la compassion sont au cœur du processus.

First Year: Art and Expressive Arts Therapy

I am a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario and an expressive arts therapy and art therapy student at WHEAT. My work weaves together trauma-informed psychotherapy, somatic awareness, and the non-verbal power of expressive arts/art therapy to support clients in reconnecting with emotional safety, agency, and embodied presence. I trust the wisdom held in the body and in our authentic artistic expressions. Trauma often lives in the body and expresses itself beyond words; it unfolds through sensation, breath, movement, imagery, and the subtle shifts that arise beneath language, which is why healing cannot be limited to the cognitive realm. In my practice, art is never used for aesthetic evaluation. It is a gentle, powerful doorway into understanding yourself, your relationships with others, and the world around you. I deeply trust the creative process and the way art can hold emotions, memories, experiences, and stories with care. My approaches draw upon expressive arts therapy and art therapy, somatic practices, and relational awareness to support you in moving at a pace that honors your nervous system and lived stories. As an immigrant and woman of color, I understand the complexities of navigating identity, cultural transitions, grief, and intergenerational narratives. I bring a culturally attuned and decolonial lens into my work, supporting clients in reclaiming voice, connection, and a sense of belonging. I take a holistic approach, one that considers all the layers that shape who you are: your present experiences, your past, the stories carried by your ancestors, family dynamics, the spaces you move through, your relationship with land, culture, nature, and more. I believe that each of these layers leaves traces in the body, and each can become a doorway into healing. Through art and embodied exploration, we open pathways beyond words, allowing you to move at your own pace toward reconnection, understanding, and integration of both lived and inherited experiences. I see my role as holding a safe and creative space where your body, emotions, and stories can be witnessed without judgment. Together, we can explore, process, and transform experiences, whether personal, relational, ancestral, or collective, through art and embodiment, fostering both personal healing and stronger, more connected communities.

First Year: Art and Expressive Arts Therapy

Based in Saskatchewan, I bring a multidisciplinary background in fine and graphic arts, alongside education and experience in Recreation Therapy. My professional journey has included work in long-term care and work as a support for families affected by addiction, where compassion, creativity, and connection are central to my practice. 

I am presently in my first year towards completing a dual diploma in Art and Expressive Arts Therapy through WHEAT Institute, drawn to the healing potential of art as a tool for expression, reflection, and well-being. I value both visual and expressive arts as meaningful ways to support emotional growth and personal insight.

Outside of my work and studies, I find inspiration in nature and simple, grounding activities such as walking, kayaking, reading, gardening, and spending time at home with my pet bearded dragon. These experiences continually inform my approach to creativity, balance, and care. 

First year: Art and Expressive Arts Therapy

I’m an artist and an Art and Expressive Arts Student Therapist. I’m queer, non-binary, neurodivergent, racialized/brown, and a first-generation immigrant.

My interest in Art and Expressive Arts Therapy stems from a personal relationship with the arts. As a non-binary person, art helps me explore the many facets of queer identity. As a racialized person and immigrant, art is a way to process loss, displacement, survival, and racial trauma. These identities and realities influence and shape my practice. I work from a 2SQTBIPOC-centred, 2SLGBTQIA+-affirming, body-neutral, trauma-informed, decolonial, anti-racist, and feminist lens.

My practice is informed by a person-centred approach, meaning that our work together will involve genuine curiosity, in a non-judgemental and accountable space. You are free to be and to become, to explore your identity, and to heal at your own pace. Together, we will co-create an imaginative and creative context for healing and wellness, building on resources that will help you navigate life in supportive and sustainable ways.

I’m looking forward to journeying with you artfully.

First Year: Art and Expressive Arts Therapy

Roxanne’s strongest belief is that humans are good and that humans can heal. Our bodies not only hold our pain, but also carries the wisdom needed in finding a pathway toward healing. Her work is grounded in the belief that people are not broken, but often separated from their own inner wisdom. She offers a space where clients can slow down, listen inwardly, and begin to understand the patterns, emotions, and experiences that shape their lives.

For the past six years, Roxanne has also worked as a full-time artist. This creative practice informs her therapeutic work through a deep appreciation for the non-verbal power of art. She recognizes that expression beyond words can often illuminate what feels difficult to articulate, helping clients discover new ways of seeing themselves and their experiences. She especially enjoys working with women and mothers. Having raised four children as a single mother, Roxanne understands the emotional complexity, strength, and vulnerability that can be part of that journey.

Roxanne lives and works on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, and Métis peoples. As a granddaughter of settlers in Saskatchewan, she carries an awareness of this history into her work, with a commitment to humility, ongoing learning, and respectful relationship with the land and community.

Currently working towards completing a dual diploma in Art and Expressive Arts Therapy through WHEAT Institute, she is dedicated to helping clients find the doorway to their own inner wisdom with care, curiosity, and compassion.

First Year: Art and Expressive Arts Therapy

Stacey Meiklejohn is a student therapist specializing in Art and Expressive Arts Therapy at the WHEAT Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and music, along with graduate‑level training in play therapy, perinatal psychology, and sandplay therapy.

Stacey brings many years of experience supporting children, youth, and adults across educational, community, and public health settings. Her background includes accompanying individuals navigating mental health challenges, grief, parenting concerns, neurodiversity, relational issues, and attachment difficulties. In recent years, she has focused on psychosocial intervention with women and families during the perinatal period. These roles have allowed her to work with people from diverse cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds, including immigrant and Indigenous communities.

With a gentle and collaborative spirit, Stacey fosters authenticity and creative expression in the therapeutic space. Her approach is person‑centered, trauma‑informed, and tailored to the unique needs of each individual. She is committed to cultivating a warm, respectful environment that supports healing, resilience, and personal growth.

Stacey Meiklejohn est une étudiante en art‑thérapie et en thérapie par les arts expressifs à l’Institut WHEAT. Elle est titulaire d’un baccalauréat en psychologie et en musique, ainsi que de formations de deuxième cycle en thérapie par le jeu, en psychologie périnatale et en thérapie par le jeu de sable.

Forte de plusieurs années d’expérience auprès d’enfants, d’adolescents et d’adultes au cœur de milieux éducatifs, communautaires et santé publique, Stacey a accompagné des personnes vivant des enjeux variés : santé mentale, deuil, parentalité, neurodiversité, difficultés relationnelles et défis d’attachement. Plus récemment, elle a soutenu les femmes et les familles durant la période périnatale dans un rôle d’intervenante psychosociale. Ces expériences lui ont permis de travailler avec des individus issus de milieux culturels, raciaux et linguistiques diversifiés, notamment au sein de communautés immigrantes et Autochtones.

Avec un esprit doux et collaboratif, Stacey favorise l’authenticité et l’expression créative au sein de l’espace thérapeutique. Son approche, centrée sur la personne et sensible aux traumatismes, s’adapte aux besoins uniques de chaque individu. Elle accorde une grande importance à cultiver un environnement chaleureux et respectueux, propice à la guérison, à la résilience et à la croissance personnelle.

First Year: Art and Expressive Arts Therapy

My name is Jackie Cook, and I carry the spirit name Redsun Rising Woman, belonging to the Caribou and Martin Clans. I am a proud member of Treaty #1 Peguis First Nation. As a single mother of 4 children, my life has been shaped by my culture, my healing journey, and my commitment to sharing these gifts with my community.

I grew up in Peguis First Nation, always drawn to my culture and eager to learn as much as I could. From a young age, I attended ceremonies whenever I was invited, knowing that this was where I truly felt at home. In 2017, I moved to Winnipeg, but my heart remains deeply connected to my roots. I have been blessed to be mentored in ceremony by Sundance chiefs Floyd and Faylene Sutherland, and their teachings continue to guide me every day.

My journey into healing began with my passion for holistic wellness. I trained in traditional medicines for five years with Dr. Kathy Bird and received Cedar Bath training from Betty Albert. As a Reiki Master, I integrate energy healing into my practice alongside my studies in Hypnotherapy and Theta healing. I am also trained in Equine Therapy by Del Assiniboine, further expanding my ability to help others through alternative healing methods.

My work in Community Centered Therapy through Red River College, Focusing-Oriented Therapy and Trauma Informed Practice through the International Focusing Institute, and MITT has deepened my ability to support others on their healing journeys. I continue to learn and grow, with studying Indigenous Focused Oriented Therapy, with Shirley Turcott. I striving to offer the best care I can. Weather as a Marriage Commissioner or Commissioner of Oaths, I also serve my community in practical and meaningful ways.

My career has spanned many roles, all focused on caring for others. I spent 18 years working at Percy E. Moore Hospital in the clinic, and I have also worked at Wa-Say Healing Centre, Anish Healing Center, and Peguis Head Start. Teaching and healing have always been at the heart of my work, and I am committed to supporting individuals and families in finding their own paths to wellness. I am currently taking Art therapy and Expressive Art therapy, with a specializing in Metis Creative Arts, through WHEAT. As a way of bridging my love of creativity and helping others find different ways of healing.

Alongside my healing work, I have a deep love for creating. While working at Wa-Say and Anish, I facilitated weekly workshops, teaching people how to make traditional items. I am knowledgeable in making ribbon skirts, vests, shirts, moss bags, drum bags, drums and T-dresses. I also specialize in making and teaching the creation of beautiful, one-of-a-kind leather pow-wow belts. I can make and teach others how to create these traditional items, preserving and sharing the skills that have been passed down through generations.

I also love harvesting and preparing traditional medicines, a practice I share with my children and my mom. There is something deeply fulfilling about working with my hands and passing on these teachings to others.

Culture is the foundation of my life. I am a Sundancer, and I actively participate in fasting, healing ceremonies, and sweats. I support naming ceremonies and other sacred gatherings, always finding strength and guidance in these traditions. Over the past few years, I have faced significant losses, and through it all, my culture has been my anchor. Ceremony is not just something I do—it is who I am. It is also a way of life that I am passing down to my children so they, too, can walk in balance with our teachings.

One of my greatest joys is being by the water. Fishing is my passion, and spending time near the water brings me peace and healing. It is my therapy, a sacred space where I feel most connected to myself and the world around me.

Looking ahead, my vision is to create a business centered on culture, healing, and crafts—a space where people can come together to learn, heal, and reconnect with their traditions. I want to build a place of laughter, connection, and community, where different paths to wellness can be explored and embraced.

I walk this path with gratitude, honoring my ancestors and embracing the teachings that have shaped me. My hope is to continue sharing my knowledge, uplifting my community, and inspiring the next generation to carry our culture forward with pride and resilience.

First Year: Art Therapy

Daden Dansoko is an Art Therapy student at the WHEAT Institute, passionate about exploring the intersections of psychology, media, and creative healing. With a background in expressive arts and storytelling, Daden integrates insight from his YouTube channel, Minutetherapy, where he unpacks mental health themes in film and television, encouraging reflection and emotional awareness through media analysis. His approach centers on compassion, curiosity, and creative dialogue as pathways toward growth and understanding.