Cassandra Evans
MCP-AT, RCC-ACS, BCATR, RCAT
More Than Just a Pretty Picture:
Ethics of Art in Therapy
This interactive workshop is designed for psychotherapists who want to deepen their understanding of how to ethically incorporate art into therapy while distinguishing it from professional art therapy.
More than just a pretty picture, ethics of art in therapy
About the Session
This interactive workshop is designed for psychotherapists who want to deepen their understanding of how to ethically incorporate art into therapy while distinguishing it from professional art therapy. Participants will explore the foundations of art therapy, its integration with other therapeutic approaches, and the neuroscience behind why it works. The session will include an experiential component, offering a hands-on opportunity to engage in the creative process and reflect on its therapeutic impact.
If you are interested in ethically integrating art into your practice, understanding the path to becoming an art therapist, and ensuring you work within your scope of practice, this workshop is for you!
What you will learn:
What is Art Therapy
The difference between professional art therapy and using art in therapy
Brief History of Art Therapy and how to become an Art Therapist in Canada
Hands-On Experience
A guided art-making exercise to explore its therapeutic impact
Why does it work?
The role of creativity in trauma processing, emotional regulation, and neuroplasticity. Incorporating it into other modalities.
Ethical and Practical Considerations
When and how to ethically incorporate art in therapy. Scope of practice: What’s appropriate for non-art therapists?
Session Format:
Interactive discussions. Hands-on experiential exercise.
_________
This workshop will equip participants with the ethical knowledge, scientific understanding, and an introduction to practical tools to incorporate art in a way that supports clients while maintaining professional boundaries.
About Cassandra Evans MCP-AT, RCC-ACS, BCATR, RCAT
Counselling Art Therapist | Educator | Supervisor
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Approved Clinical Supervisor with the BCACC and a Registered Art Therapist and Supervisor with both the BC and Canadian Art Therapy Associations. In addition to my private practice, I am an Adjunct Faculty member and Program Coordinator for the Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy program at Adler University in Vancouver, BC and a Sessional Professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. My practice is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to support and skills that empower them to live their best lives, regardless of their circumstances.
I have had the privilege of working with individuals facing challenges such as trauma, addiction, grief and loss, and other life transitions. Throughout my career, I have been continually inspired by the resilience of my clients and the valuable lessons they have shared with me. Cultural competence is a cornerstone of my work, and I remain committed to fostering cultural connections and practicing with humility and openness. I am currently training in Somatic Experiencing and weaving that into my counselling art therapy practice with clients to create further change and connection.
As a dedicated advocate for the profession, I am the Past President of the BC Art Therapy Association and have served as an alternate BCATA representative on the FACTBC Board and participated in multiple governmental committees focused on advancing regulation within counselling therapies. I have also contributed to a chapter in Walking With: An Emerging Dialogue with Art Therapists in the Cultural Commons, edited by Tzafi Weinberg & Monica Carpendale, further exploring the intersections of art therapy and cultural engagement through Open Studios. I am committed to supporting my colleagues and the broader community in strengthening our field and expanding opportunities for meaningful therapeutic work.
I acknowledge that I live and work on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples—Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. As a descendant of colonizers, I strive to engage in ongoing learning, unlearning, and advocacy to challenge systems of colonialism and white supremacy.
I welcome the opportunity to connect and collaborate in creating meaningful change for individuals and communities.