Fulltime Diploma Graduate

2000 - Vancouver

Since graduating from VATI in 2000, I have furthered my education by taking a Masters in Counselling Psychology at UBC and becoming a Registered Clinical Counsellor. I am currently working fulltime as a substance abuse counsellor with adolescents and adults up to age 30. I incorporate art therapy into my work with clients regularly. I find that art taps into many of the underlying issues with this population, such as trauma, identity, and loss, as well as helping clients access emotions that have been masked or numbed throughout their addiction.

I use art therapy in groups with adolescents, and have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from these youth, indicating that the art has helped them to identify the core of some of their issues and patterns. I am currently in the process of starting a small private practice, in which I will offer art therapy as well as psychotherapy.

- Elana Sures

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