Accreditations & Specializations
Julia Vlaming:
Owner of Ottawa Art Therapy. Julia is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), Professional Art Therapist with the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA), and Behavioural IBI/ABA therapist (BCBA Supervised). She is responsible for programming, relief work, business communications and supervises her team of professionals to ensure quality care.
Julia specializes in working with: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Neurodevelopmental disorders, Attachment Disorder, PTSD, First Responders, RCMP, Armed Forces, Anxiety, Depression, Selective Mutism, Down Syndrome, Addictions, Burn Out, Anger Management, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Sexual and Physical Abuse Victims, Individuals who have experienced Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence, Victims of Harassment, Aboriginal Community, Refugees and culturally unique populations. Julia Vlaming is also qualified to supervise other psychotherapists in the field. Languages: English, Russian.
Melissa:
Psychotherapist (RP- Qualifying)(IP Supervised -CRPO), Masters degree in Art Therapy. Professional Art Therapist (CATA).
Masters degree in Art Therapy. Professional Art Therapist (CATA).
Introducing Melissa - Your Compassionate Psychotherapist and Art Therapist!
Meet Melissa, a dedicated and skilled psychotherapist and Art Therapist with a passion for helping individuals overcome life's challenges and embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery. Melissa's unique blend of psychotherapy and art therapy creates a nurturing environment where clients can explore their emotions, thoughts, and experiences through the creative process.
With a focus on inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, Melissa specializes in working with ethnically marginalized individuals, offering a safe and understanding space to address their unique mental health needs. She is also experienced in providing support to women fleeing from domestic violence, offering strength and empowerment through art therapy.
Melissa's expertise extends to working with very young children with non-compliant behaviors, using art as a medium to help them express and manage their emotions in a more functional way. She is also adept at providing art therapy to children and adults who are neurodivergent, fostering a sense of self-awareness and acceptance.
Additionally, Melissa is dedicated to helping sexually abused children and youth recover from trauma, providing a gentle and compassionate approach to healing through art. Veterans seeking support and understanding in their post-service lives will find a safe haven in her therapeutic sessions.
Melissa's extensive experience also makes her an invaluable resource for other individuals suffering from trauma and symptoms of PTSD. Through a person-centered approach, she helps clients process their experiences and find resilience in the face of adversity.
Melissa offers guidance and support to navigate life transitions and relationship conflicts building strength, undestanding and self-advocacy. Her holistic approach to therapy enables clients to explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, leading to deeper awareness and personal growth.
Melissa is a supportive and empathetic therapist who can integrates the power of art into each individual's healing journey.
Mariah:
Psychotherapist (RP- Qualifying)(IP Supervised -CRPO), Masters degree in Counselling Psychology (Aug 2023). With a diverse range of certifications and training, Mariah brings a comprehensive skill set to her therapeutic approach. She holds certificates from the Canadian Red Cross in Emotional First Aid, Caring for Self CRC, and Caring for Others CRC, Neurorehabilitation, Mental Health, Addictions, and Brain Injury, CPR Level C, and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention from Cornell. Further Professional Advancement and Training has provided her with expertise in Strength and Resiliency Training Systems, Indigenous Core Programming, community reintegration, and cultural analysis (with Aboriginal competency component). Mariah has a background in working with adults and youth with Complex Trauma, relationship dynamics, chronic illness, Neurodivergent children and youth, anxiety, phobias, individuals, couples, and groups. Education: BA in Social Development Studies with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, Currently completing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and ongoing training in working with behavioral addictions, trauma interventions, EMDR, guided drawing, and TCI updates.
Meryem.
Meryem is a compassionate and experienced bilingual (French & English) Art Therapist originally from France. She is a registered member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association and is currently practicing under the supervision of an RP-IP and a BCBA.
Meryem brings a wealth of expertise to her art therapy practice, catering to a diverse range of populations. With a heartfelt approach, she offers individual, family, and group art therapy sessions to address the unique needs of her clients. Meryem has a genuine passion for using art as a therapeutic tool to foster healing and personal growth.
Her services are available to various communities, including:
1. Veterans seeking support and understanding through their experiences and symptoms of PTSD.
2. Seniors in need of a creative outlet to express their emotions and memories.
3. Women fleeing domestic violence, offering a safe space to process trauma and rebuild self-esteem.
4. Victims of physical and sexual abuse, both children and adults, providing a nurturing environment for healing and empowerment.
5. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD, BPD, ASD, DID, anxiety, and depression, using art therapy as a insightful creative treatment method.
6. Inuit population (children & youth), creating culturally sensitive and inclusive therapeutic experiences.
7. Cancer survivors, helping them navigate the emotional challenges of their journey.
8. Children witnessing violence, offering a safe haven for emotional expression and support.
9. Individuals seeking to improve their overall quality of life through self-discovery and self-awareness.
With Meryem's guidance, you can embark on a transformative journey of self-exploration and healing through art. Her expertise, coupled with a warm and empathetic approach, creates a nurturing space where you can express yourself freely and gain insight into your emotions and experiences.
Cydney:
Cydney is a Registered Psychotherapist - Qualifying with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) under the supervision of Julia Vlaming. Cydney is completing her practicum placement at Ottawa Art Therapy and will complete her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology by December of 2023.
Cydney has experience working with: Autism Spectrum Disorder, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Addictions, Burn Out, Anger Management, Grief, Divorce, Self-Harm, Brain Injury and Bullying.
Cydney has experience in Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, CBT, ACT, Person-Centred Approaches, and Art Therapy.
Languages: English
Education: Cydney has a BSc in Biomedical Science from Brock University and is currently completing her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Cydney is completing ongoing training in DBT and Guided Drawing.
Tamara:
Tamara, a passionate and empathetic practicum student on a heartfelt journey of transformation from an Art Teacher to an aspiring Art Therapist. After many years of nurturing young minds through art, she realized the profound impact of creativity on emotional well-being and decided to embark on a new path of healing and support.
Tamara's heart lies in working with children, youth, families, and groups, where she weaves the magic of art into the fabric of therapy. Her warm and personal approach helps individuals who are neurodiverse navigate their emotions and embrace their unique strengths. Through the creative process, Tamara empowers those who have experienced trauma or faced bullying, fostering resilience and a sense of empowerment.
With a deep understanding of the struggles associated with ADHD, anxiety, and anger management, Tamara offers a nurturing space where her clients can find solace and healing through art. She has also been privileged to work with children coming from a vast variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, igniting hope and possibility through the power of self-expression.
As a practicum student, Tamara's dedication to her clients and her own personal growth shines brightly. Her journey makes her a compassionate and understanding guide on the path to healing and growth.
Tim, is a versatile and compassionate Music Therapist (CAMT, MTAO) and Psychotherapist (RP-Q). With a profound love for music and a deep understanding of its therapeutic power, Tim helps individuals of all ages find healing, growth, and self-expression through the language of melodies and rhythms.
Whether you're a child, youth, adult, or senior, Tim's expertise is tailored to meet your unique needs and challenges. He has a wealth of experience in working with neurodiverse individuals, providing a supportive and inclusive space for them to explore their emotions and connect through music.
For those who have experienced trauma or are navigating through anxiety, Tim's empathetic approach helps clients process their emotions and build resilience using the healing properties of music. Moreover, he offers an alternative outlet for self-expression, allowing individuals to communicate and understand their feelings beyond words.
Tim helps navigate life transitions with a focus on improving clients' quality of life, and overall enhancing emotional well-being, fostering personal growth, and strengthening coping mechanisms.
No matter where you are on your journey, Tim's passion for music and therapy creates a safe and transformative space for healing and self-discovery.
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