Art Therapy Workshop Featuring Full Circle Art Therapy

Soldiers of Creation workshops are geared towards alternative methods of healing. We invite survivors of sexual assault who are either on a waitlist for clinical treatment, wanting to try another option, meet others in their community or allies that want to come out and support while learning how to be more informed members of this community. These workshops are also great for people dealing with mental health related issues who want to learn something new, that can then be applied to their own cause or other areas of healing. We are open to everyone.

On Saturday December 15th, we partnered with one of the founders of Full Circle Art Therapy Centre, Lacey Ford. The primary focus of the workshop was grounding techniques: things you can do to bring yourself into contact with the present moment – the here and now. They can be quick strategies (like taking three deep “belly breaths”) or longer, more formal exercises (like meditation).

Lacey was an absolute pleasure to work with, ran a wonderful class and really made everyone feel zen through the whole process. Full Circle has very affordable classes and they will be hosting sexual assault support groups in the new year; we would definitely recommend checking them out.

“Full Circle Art Therapy Centre was founded by Pearl Lee and Lacey Ford (B.A. Hons, D.T.A.T.I), two classmates from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (T.A.T.I) in 2014. Full Circle Art Therapy Centre is committed to operating with full integrity and authenticity. We provide affordable mental health services to a variety of populations in the GTA, through group and individual art therapy sessions. We focus on client-centred treatment and an individual's positive strengths, which allows for the expression of their authentic self, through creative means tailored to their needs. We are committed to constant personal growth and continuing education in the field of Art Therapy and within its community. We are motivated and driven to fulfil our vision of affordable mental health services for all.”

The workshop focused on providing participants with the opportunity to explore different grounding tools through art and mindful practices, which can be used to help maintain a sense of balance in their lives. It began with a short guided mindful meditation, followed by an art therapy exercise around grounding techniques.

During the class, Soldiers of Creation asked everyone to focus on a few core questions: how they felt in the class; if they experience trauma or mental health related issues on a daily basis, and if so what struggles they face and how they dealt with it; and lastly, how we as a community can be better allies to each other.

After the art therapy portion, there was an optional open discussion led by Soldiers of Creation, which focused on the workshop that was just completed. Each participant received a Grounding Kit filled with amazing goodies we received from local businesses that support this cause. All these products are the perfect tools to aid in grounding practices.

You can find everything you need to know about the items graciously donated on our sponsors page.

For the tips and tools we learnt from this workshop, or for more information on how you can collaborate with us on a workshop or be a sponsor at our next endeavour, head to our contact page and send us a message. Can't wait to hear from you!