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Dianne Shannon Art Therapy

creation + reflection + insight = change

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Virtual and outreach art therapy

RCAT-S, CRPO-RP (qualifying)

Art therapy is a way to explore issues, concerns, and strategies for change using the creative process that does not rely on words to be helpful.  The questions I ask about how and what you’ve made lead to insights that increase your self-knowledge and inform the steps you want to take toward positive change. My therapeutic approaches include psychodynamic, humanistic, and strengths-based.

You do not need to be an artist to do art therapy. You use materials on hand to make spontaneous art or to do creative activities I suggest based on the concerns that brought you to art therapy. You can make scribbles, stick figures, swirls of colour, collage images, clay shapes, glitter and paint on wood, etc. Can’t imagine what virtual art therapy would be like? Check out my blog post, Healing with Virtual Art Therapy.

Virtual sessions for individuals, parents and children, or groups. Ontario resident health insurance providers often cover session costs.

In-person outreach sessions where I bring art therapy to individuals and groups in the Saskatoon area.

Art therapy supervision individual sessions and groups.

Request a “Free Consultation“ or contact me by phone or email for more information.

I acknowledge and am grateful for the Treaty Six Territory and Métis nation homeland on which I live and work.

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Art therapy curious? Bring your questions to this free, virtual session.

Join me on Monday, August 10th from 4-5pm CST for a free, virtual, one-hour information session.

  • Hear a brief description about art therapy.
  • Ask questions.
  • Take part in a creative activity that anyone can do (really!) using a piece of paper and something to draw with.

Booking is limited to 15 participants, go to the “group sessions” tab here: https://dianneshannonarttherapy.noustalk.com/welcome/6010a5d903e2da67e69210e7

I look forward to meeting you!

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Art therapy: not just a tool in the tool box

I’ve been searching online therapy platforms like Psychology Today for art therapists and see profiles of people offering art therapy without having the training. Art-based activities can be a helpful tool in a mental health professional’s tool box, but you’re not getting art therapy unless the therapist’s/counsellor’s qualifications include an art therapy program like those approved by the Canadian Art Therapy Association.

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Group supervision for art therapists

Join me and up to five other art therapy colleagues starting in September for virtual group supervision on Mondays from 4-6 pm CST or Thursdays from 6-8 pm CST. We’ll settle into each session with a few minutes of art making to bring your issues or topics into the moment. Group supervision is a collaborative, community-enriching experience where we learn from each other, nurture each other’s strengths, and deepen our self-exploration together. My goal is to cultivate a space of non-judgement to safely share experiences with respect and curiousity.

Sessions are ongoing, so you can attend weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or as needed. Register as a new client on my NousTalk landing page then head to the groups tab. Session cost is $80 and the two hours can go toward your CATA registration.

Visit the supervision page on my website to learn more.

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Four days with clay at LOTP

I had the great pleasure to facilitate a ceramics pilot project at Light of the Prairies. Over twenty participants enjoyed learning press mold techniques or doing self-directed sculpture. What a wonderful experience of coming together as a community through creativity and self-expression. https://lightoftheprairies.ca/isl/uploads/2026/04/March-2026.pdf

The project was funded by SK Arts, made possible through funding provided by the Government of Saskatchewan, and the financial support of Sask Lotteries, in partnership with SaskCulture.

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Community and creativity with OUT Saskatoon

The Newcomer Support Group at OUT Saskatoon welcomed me to spend two evenings enjoying creativity and community. Participants who now call Saskatoon home dove into the altered book activity I delivered by painting, collaging, tearing, and reshaping pages in response to the directive of exploring their journey here. Thanks to everyone for sharing experiences of identity, resilience, hope, and family that were expressed in the art and discussion.

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Virtual Art Therapy Supervision Sessions Available

I’m happy to announce I’ve been approved for supervisor status with the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA). VATI’s art therapy supervisor course, which included 30 hours of instruction plus course work, helped me prepare for my new role as supervisor.

I’m looking forward to collaborating with supervisees through individual and group sessions as they develop and fine-tune their professional goals, self-knowledge, and identity as an art therapist. Each session will include reflective art making.

Go to the supervision tab for more information: https://dianneshannonarttherapy.ca/art-therapy-supervision/

Supervision relationship – VATI assignment (2025)
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What anger animal are you?

Anger is an important emotion that warns us when we’re upset by someone or something, but some times it triggers reactions and actions that lead to big problems. A questionnaire to find out what animal you are when you’re angry has just been added to my download page. I came up with this activity to help youth better understand and manage their anger and have used it with individual clients and groups. The activity is fun and engaging, but be prepared to hold and comfort the big feelings that might come up too.

Anger Animal Questionnaire
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Free virtual art therapy intro

Curious about virtual art therapy?

Have your questions answered by following this link to book a free 1/2 hour session with me: https://dianneshannonarttherapy.noustalk.com/contactme

Studies show that virtual therapy can be just as effective as seeing a therapist in person. And you don’t have to leave your house. Use any materials or objects you have on hand, such as the examples in the photos below. 

The process is similar as in-person sessions: begin with a check in, choose and use materials to make something, I’ll ask questions about what the process was like for you and what you notice in what you’ve made. We’ll explore how your insights from what you’ve made increase your self-awareness, reduce or shift symptoms and/or perceptions, and inform how you can work toward the changes you want in your life.

As with all virtual therapy, a quiet place with no interruptions is important. I use the NousTalk therapy platform that provides secure, encrypted sessions.

Use any materials you have on hand!





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Suicide safety plan card

September is World Suicide Prevention month.

Not knowing what to say to someone if you’re worried about their risk of suicide can be unsettling. What if you don’t say anything and something bad happens? What if you do say something and they stop talking to you?

Visit the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention to learn how to have supportive conversations about suicide when you’re concerned about someone’s safety.

My Safety Plan card is a free download from my site to print for yourself or to share: https://dianneshannonarttherapy.ca/my-suicide-safety-plan-card/

Having a conversation with someone at risk of suicide while they fill out the safety plan card can serve as a reminder of community and personal resources. It’s also an opportunity to let them know they are not alone.

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