Art therapy groups offer emotional outlet for people who are experiencing different stressors 

Younge Street Mission (YSM) is a local charity tackling immediate needs in the community while educating individuals on mindfulness and self-coping skills. 

The virtual trauma-informed art therapy group offered by the mental health department of YSM plays a major role in doing so.  

The framework of the virtual art therapy group is person-centered, culturally sensitive, and anti-oppressive. Showing mutual validation and empathy in the group is one of the key pieces in the therapy group.  

This virtual art therapy group is a safe space for members to process events and emotions in a healthy manner, develop self-awareness, expand coping skills and build a therapeutic relationship. Members are invited to explore their feelings and share them at their own comfort level in the therapy group. It supports members to build self-awareness and process any conflicting emotions they hold.  

As members learn to recognize and express their emotions in a constructive way, they will continue to learn coping skills and practice them during group activities.  

Mafalda Silva, a mental health art therapist at YSM explained the main goal of the virtual art therapy group. 

“Many people have difficulty expressing how they feel, or even understanding how they feel. Some have a hard time dealing with big life changes or struggle to interact with others. In Art Therapy sessions, facilitated by an art therapist, participants use art materials to explore and express these thoughts and feelings through creative expression,” said Silva. 

Teaching members a healthy way to manage their problems helps improve their emotional wellbeing so that they can achieve their life goals with optimal capacity.   

Each therapy session will include a mindfulness activity and an art-based activity. Members will share their experience, thoughts, and feelings during and after the activities. 

Activities included in the art therapy are integrated from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which helps individuals manage their problems by changing the way they think and behave.  

Adults of all gender identities who are dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, life transitions, traumatic experiences or other mental health issues are invited to register anytime during the season.  

This virtual art therapy group at YSM is open to individuals from the Great Toronto Area to other cities in Ontario. 

Individuals who are in active crisis are not recommended to participate as the content may trigger intense emotions in them.  

All sessions in the art therapy group are facilitated by a qualifying art therapist and supported by a community outreach worker.  

The virtual art therapy group is free for all eligible adults to join. Participants will need to prepare art materials for themselves, including basic tools, natural or recycled materials.  

The virtual art therapy group is scheduled weekly on Thursdays, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

For more information, visit https://www.ysm.ca/get-help/mental-health-counselling/.