About

Founded in 1982 as a non-profit society and charitable organization, the institute is accredited by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). We are committed to supporting education in the therapeutic arts to promote creativity, resilience and embodied healing. Our programs are interdisciplinary in their arts-based content and in our philosophy of education. For over 40 years, VATI offered one credential, a diploma in art therapy, with our students providing hundreds of thousands of hours of service in the arts via their practicum placements and in a variety of settings. The art therapy program follows the guidelines for training established by the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) and is recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). In 2023, VATI expanded its educational offerings to include a second distinct credential with a well-established expressive arts therapy program that has graduated students with a certified expressive arts therapy designation. This program follows the guidelines of collaborative training programs recognized by the European Graduate School and meets both Canadian and international standards of expressive arts therapy training.