In a safe and welcoming virtual space, Shawna can help you understand and navigate challenging feelings, thoughts and behaviours using sensory elements like form, colour, texture, sound, and movement to facilitate personal discovery, healing and growth. Sessions are tailored to the unique needs and goals of each client integrating creative and artistic processes, body psychology, and psychotherapy. Her way of working with people is influenced by an intuitive, phenomenological approach that emphasizes subjective experience. 

Shawna’s work and research focus in the area of complex trauma and neurodiversity. She has 1000+ hours of direct client time, has received special training in healing from complex trauma (C-PTSD), and is herself, neurodivergent (ASD/ADHD). 

Qualifications / Education

MSc Body Psychology and Body Psychotherapy
(in progress), East London University

Art Psychotherapy (APD), CiiAT

Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy

B.A. (Honors) Communication
University of North Dakota, USA

Professional Member: Canadian Art Therapy Association
National Organization for Arts in Health, USA

Professional Development (courses/certificates):
Exploring Neuroqueer Identities, Neuroqueer Education.
Cross-Generational Trauma, Mindsight Institute.

Food, Nutrition & Health Professional Cert., Wageningen University.

Core Skills Trauma Cert., Albert Wong, Somatopia.

Human Neuroanatomy, University of Michigan.
Somatic Approaches for Trauma, Somatopia.
Childhood Trauma, Institute of Child Psychology.
Specialized Expressive Arts Therapy Cert., CiiAT.
Attachment Informed Art Therapy Cert., CiiAT.
Foundations of Humane Technology, USA.
Indigenous Canada, University of Alberta, CA.
CELTA English Second Language Instructor Cert. 

 
Fluency in English and Spanish