Leanne's Story
Musings about what has led me to this work.....
..... About ten years ago I made the decision to begin the process that would allow me to leave an established career, and begin the journey towards completing a masters in counselling and training as an art therapist.
I had reached a point where I listened to my inner voice, and I began the journey of learning how to engage in a helping profession that aligned with my personal values of supporting others.
My life experiences have formed who I am as an individual, which in turn, have also influenced who I am as a counsellor and art therapist.
Adverse experiences in my formative years have given me the lived understanding of what unhealthy relationships look like, how deep profound grief can take us, and the understanding of what being a single parent and the process of negotiating co-parenting can entail. I have worked numerous jobs to pay the bills, and remember all to well trying to budget for necessities and the physical, emotional, mental exhaustion and toll that this places upon a person.
Within these experiences I began to discover my inner strengths, uncovered what my core beliefs and values were, and gained an understanding that I could bring positive change into my life. I began to realize who and what were the stabilizing forces within my life and actively sought ways to invite more of this into my daily existence.
I have been an artist all of my life, I can say confidently that it has been and is the steadfast constant in my world.
My work history consists of a diverse range of experiences, from early years working at jobs in the customer service industry, (food & beverage, bartending, sales, and delivering mail) to a short time living and working on a farm, and brief work in an office setting. Wanting stability and realizing that I loved to share how to unlock creativity, I completed a 5th year of university so that I could become an art teacher in the Province of British Columbia. Teaching secondary school students (grades 9-12) fine art and sculpture for 20 years was admittedly a lovely career filled with witnessing young people learning ways to express themselves. A fun disclosure on this long list of work related experiences, (and on the note of creativity) I have also owned and operated a tattoo studio! Yes, I was a tattoo artist!
One of the interesting aspects of having diverse career and work experiences is seeing the many ways that the connective threads of transferable skills enrich how I approach my work as an art therapist and as a counsellor. First and foremost I would say the skillset of active listening, and then the appreciation of diversity and individuality, along with communication skills are a few of the many transferable traits and skills learned along the way.
I recognize and appreciate that life is unpredictable, and that we, as humans, can learn, heal, adapt, transform, grow and change throughout our lifespan. From my lived experiences I understand the depths of grieving, the pain of traumatic events and challenge of healing from trauma, the joy that connection with others brings and the commitment to self that maintains health and wellness. I believe in hope and that our human capacity for resiliency and resourcefulness cannot be measured nor defined by others.
This next part is written from my heart as I share why I believe we are all "works in progress".
Many years ago, I released the belief that I needed to be "polished" with a shiny veneer, as I found (quite frankly) that this was exhausting to maintain, and that it had actually made me feel like I was being untrue to myself. It was during this time I let go of the energy of trying to be something that I was not, and took stock of who I was, and where I wanted to be as an individual in the future. This felt liberating! And this marked a pivotal moment in my life, where I let go of unrealistic expectations, shame and self-criticism. I began the journey of learning how to embrace my very human, very real, "messy" moments with humor, compassion and humility. I learned how to invite balance and nourishing self care practices into my life and gave myself permission to do so. Balance is a word that I use to check in with myself. I check to ensure I am inviting balance by giving myself opportunities to live life beyond my work life. I nurture my connections with others and fill moments with enjoyable activities that nourish who I am as an individual, (creative time in my studio, being outdoors and experiencing nature, connecting with other creative beings, and the simple daily pleasure of enjoying the liveliness of those who are close to me)! Perhaps this, (along with) my lived experiences are part of why I am told that I have a grounded presence and that I am easy to talk with.
I love spontaneity! There is something magical and liberating about inviting a playful spirit the opportunity to surface. This is one element that feeds my creativity as an artist. Curiosity, a passion for learning and discovering music that makes me want to dance (and sing!) are ways that I also connect with my spontaneous spirit. (And any form of comedy that that makes me belly laugh!)
Taking time to enjoy a good cup of tea is but one of the many ways that I sprinkle peaceful moments throughout my day. I enjoy inviting moments of calm into my life and am quite delighted to share these moments with others. (I have the kettle on and teapot ready when clients arrive)!
To learn more about my counselling practice and specialty areas, please use the portal below to reach those pages, or return to the navigation section on the home page.
..... About ten years ago I made the decision to begin the process that would allow me to leave an established career, and begin the journey towards completing a masters in counselling and training as an art therapist.
I had reached a point where I listened to my inner voice, and I began the journey of learning how to engage in a helping profession that aligned with my personal values of supporting others.
My life experiences have formed who I am as an individual, which in turn, have also influenced who I am as a counsellor and art therapist.
Adverse experiences in my formative years have given me the lived understanding of what unhealthy relationships look like, how deep profound grief can take us, and the understanding of what being a single parent and the process of negotiating co-parenting can entail. I have worked numerous jobs to pay the bills, and remember all to well trying to budget for necessities and the physical, emotional, mental exhaustion and toll that this places upon a person.
Within these experiences I began to discover my inner strengths, uncovered what my core beliefs and values were, and gained an understanding that I could bring positive change into my life. I began to realize who and what were the stabilizing forces within my life and actively sought ways to invite more of this into my daily existence.
I have been an artist all of my life, I can say confidently that it has been and is the steadfast constant in my world.
My work history consists of a diverse range of experiences, from early years working at jobs in the customer service industry, (food & beverage, bartending, sales, and delivering mail) to a short time living and working on a farm, and brief work in an office setting. Wanting stability and realizing that I loved to share how to unlock creativity, I completed a 5th year of university so that I could become an art teacher in the Province of British Columbia. Teaching secondary school students (grades 9-12) fine art and sculpture for 20 years was admittedly a lovely career filled with witnessing young people learning ways to express themselves. A fun disclosure on this long list of work related experiences, (and on the note of creativity) I have also owned and operated a tattoo studio! Yes, I was a tattoo artist!
One of the interesting aspects of having diverse career and work experiences is seeing the many ways that the connective threads of transferable skills enrich how I approach my work as an art therapist and as a counsellor. First and foremost I would say the skillset of active listening, and then the appreciation of diversity and individuality, along with communication skills are a few of the many transferable traits and skills learned along the way.
I recognize and appreciate that life is unpredictable, and that we, as humans, can learn, heal, adapt, transform, grow and change throughout our lifespan. From my lived experiences I understand the depths of grieving, the pain of traumatic events and challenge of healing from trauma, the joy that connection with others brings and the commitment to self that maintains health and wellness. I believe in hope and that our human capacity for resiliency and resourcefulness cannot be measured nor defined by others.
This next part is written from my heart as I share why I believe we are all "works in progress".
Many years ago, I released the belief that I needed to be "polished" with a shiny veneer, as I found (quite frankly) that this was exhausting to maintain, and that it had actually made me feel like I was being untrue to myself. It was during this time I let go of the energy of trying to be something that I was not, and took stock of who I was, and where I wanted to be as an individual in the future. This felt liberating! And this marked a pivotal moment in my life, where I let go of unrealistic expectations, shame and self-criticism. I began the journey of learning how to embrace my very human, very real, "messy" moments with humor, compassion and humility. I learned how to invite balance and nourishing self care practices into my life and gave myself permission to do so. Balance is a word that I use to check in with myself. I check to ensure I am inviting balance by giving myself opportunities to live life beyond my work life. I nurture my connections with others and fill moments with enjoyable activities that nourish who I am as an individual, (creative time in my studio, being outdoors and experiencing nature, connecting with other creative beings, and the simple daily pleasure of enjoying the liveliness of those who are close to me)! Perhaps this, (along with) my lived experiences are part of why I am told that I have a grounded presence and that I am easy to talk with.
I love spontaneity! There is something magical and liberating about inviting a playful spirit the opportunity to surface. This is one element that feeds my creativity as an artist. Curiosity, a passion for learning and discovering music that makes me want to dance (and sing!) are ways that I also connect with my spontaneous spirit. (And any form of comedy that that makes me belly laugh!)
Taking time to enjoy a good cup of tea is but one of the many ways that I sprinkle peaceful moments throughout my day. I enjoy inviting moments of calm into my life and am quite delighted to share these moments with others. (I have the kettle on and teapot ready when clients arrive)!
To learn more about my counselling practice and specialty areas, please use the portal below to reach those pages, or return to the navigation section on the home page.
