Express What Words Can't
In-person and virtual art therapy in Ottawa
Explore our Art Therapy Services
No art or creative background required
Art therapy offers a creative, evidence-informed approach to mental health, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth. By integrating the therapeutic relationship with the creative process, art therapy provides a safe space to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences that may be difficult to express through words alone.
Through the use of art materials, symbolism, imagination, and reflection, art therapy can help bring awareness to inner experiences, support emotional regulation, and foster deeper self-understanding. The creative process can provide a different way of making meaning, processing challenges, and connecting with yourself in a compassionate and embodied way.
Whether you are navigating stress, life transitions, trauma, identity exploration, or simply seeking a deeper connection with yourself, art therapy invites curiosity, creativity, and self-discovery. No artistic experience is required, art therapy is not about creating "good" art, but about using creativity as a tool for reflection and growth.
How to get started with art therapy
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Contact us to book a free initial call with our art therapy student
We offer a free 15-minute consultation that gives you a chance to ask questions, share what you're looking for, and see if our approach aligns with your needs.
Call us to book and take the first step toward meaningful change with trusted Ottawa counselling services.
What Art Therapy Can Help With
Stress & Burnout
When life feels overwhelming, it can be difficult to slow down enough to understand what you need. Art therapy focuses on the creative brain and creates space to process stress, reconnect with yourself, and explore healthy ways to restore balance.
Emotional Overload, Identity, & Personal Growth
Anxiety often lives in both the mind and body. Creative expression can help externalize worries, regulate emotions, and access a sense of calm when words alone feel insufficient.
Art therapy provides opportunities to explore identity, relationships, life transitions, and patterns that shape your experience. Through creative exploration, many clients develop greater self-compassion, confidence, and insight on identity.
Trauma & Life Impact
Traumatic experiences can be difficult to articulate. Art therapy offers a gentle, trauma-informed approach that supports emotional processing without requiring you to tell your entire story. Working creatively can help foster safety, self-awareness, and healing at your own pace.
We also offer innovative options like brain training therapy in Ottawa for clients who want to explore Neurofeedback and other advanced approaches to healing.
Whether you're navigating a specific challenge or simply seeking support for personal growth, our therapists are here to guide you!
Why Choose Flow State Therapy?
Personalized Care
Therapy shaped around your needs,
goals, and pace.
Integrative & Evidence-Informed
A thoughtful blend of modern
psychotherapy and mind-body approaches.
Designed for Comfort & Ease
A calm physical space and flexible
virtual care options.
Why Choose Art Therapy?
Creative Expression
Art can communicate thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to express through conversation alone.
Mind-Body Connection
The creative process encourages mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and deeper awareness of emotions, sensations, and patterns.
No Artistic Skill Required
Art therapy is about the process, not the product. Everyone can participate regardless of artistic experience or ability.
When Should You Consider Art Therapy?
Art therapy may be helpful if you're experiencing anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, trauma, depression, relationship challenges, or major life transitions. It can also support people who find traditional talk therapy difficult, feel disconnected from their emotions, or are seeking a more creative and experiential approach to healing.
Many people choose art therapy not because they're in crisis, but because they're looking to deepen self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience, and reconnect with themselves in meaningful ways. It can be useful for integration KAP sessions as well as navigating complex emotional experiences.
What Happens in an Art Therapy Session?
Every session is tailored to your unique needs and comfort level. You may be invited to use materials such as drawing, painting, collage, clay, or mixed media alongside conversation and reflection. Some sessions focus more on creating, while others involve discussing the artwork and exploring the thoughts, emotions, or insights that emerge.
There is no expectation to create something beautiful or artistic. The artwork serves as a bridge to understanding yourself more deeply, helping you access emotions, patterns, and strengths that may not be immediately available through words.
Our Art Therapy Student
Ona is an Art Therapy student completing her practicum and offering low-cost, trauma-informed art therapy sessions under clinical supervision. Her approach is relational and informed by Gestalt training, over seven years of facilitating individuals and groups, and a multicultural perspective shaped by growing up between Spain, Mexico, and Canada.
She offers a compassionate, inclusive, and affirming space for clients to explore and grow. Alongside her art therapy work, she support Flowstate Therapy as the clinic administrator, coordinating client care and clinic operations.
Meet our the rest of our therapists
Our team is made up of dedicated mental health professionals who are passionate about helping you experience meaningful change and improved well-being. With diverse backgrounds in psychotherapy, medicine, and holistic care, our therapists and medical staff bring years of experience to support your journey. At FlowState Therapy, we believe in personalized, compassionate care, and we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Visit our therapy office in downtown Ottawa!
A calm, private space in the heart of downtown Ottawa designed for comfort and focus. Our office offers a welcoming environment where you can slow down, speak openly, and feel at ease. With easy access, natural light, and thoughtfully designed rooms, Flowstate Therapy provides a setting that supports real progress and meaningful conversations.
Counselling insurance coverage
We work with you and your insurance company to get you the best coverage possible.
Some insurers we’ve worked with:
Veterans Affairs and PCVRS
Canada Life
Medavie Blue Cross
Sunlife
Green Shield
Equitable Life of Canada
Pacific Blue Cross
Manulife
And more!
Start art therapy in Ottawa with us!
Reach out to book a free initial consultation with our team!
Give us a call:
Or send us an email:
Schedule a Call
We offer a free 15 minute consultation to learn more about our treatments here.
Discover our individual therapy services
Available in-person in Ottawa and virtual across Ontario
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A goal-oriented, evidence-based approach that helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, commonly used in CBT therapy in Ottawa.
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Focuses on exploring unconscious processes and understanding how past experiences (especially early relationships) shape current behaviors and emotions.
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A form of CBT that emphasizes emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
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A body-focused therapy that addresses trauma by releasing tension stored in the body.
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A specialized trauma therapy involving bilateral stimulation to help clients reprocess traumatic memories.
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A neurobiological approach focusing on the body’s nervous system and how it regulates emotions in response to safety or danger.
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A technique that uses real-time brainwave monitoring to help clients regulate brain activity, often used for anxiety, depression, and trauma recovery.
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A trauma therapy that helps clients access and process emotions stored in the body through specific eye positions.
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We offer a wide range of different therapy modalities and are continually innovating. Feel free to contact us if you are looking for something specific.