Dara Dines BBA REACE(Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educator), has a degree in Business & Fine Arts from Concordia University and a Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy from PIEAT.

 

She has been designing, teaching & facilitating Community Art based groups for over fifteen years and more specifically in the field of Mental Health & Addictions for the past ten years.  She is presently employed with CMHA Calgary and has a special interest in working with clients who are dealing with anxiety disorders.

 

 Dara also uses the arts to create leadership development workshops for community support workers, peer mentors and volunteers. www.daradines.com.

Karen Daniels has been in practice as an occupational therapist in mental health and addiction for over 20 years and has considerable experience enabling change through groups and individual therapy.

 

She recently graduated with her masters in expressive arts therapy from European Graduate School and has a strong commitment to empowering others to find their voice and story through the expressive arts.

 

While always committed to hard work, she is making more room these days for play and self-care through music, felted vessels and in nature

Marja Cantell, PhD, is a research psychologist and a dance movement therapist who has worked at the Alberta Children's Hospital and in private practice in Calgary.

 

She has facilitated movement groups in the community, hospitals, day care, schools and palliative care. She has expertise in children with developmental movement difficulties and adolescents with eating disorders.

 

She has moved to the Netherlands in 2010 and continues to dance and teach internationally as well as mentor students and health care professionals in Canada and Finland. For more details, please visit: www.dancemovementcalgary.com

Jennifer Buchanan, BMT, MTA is an Certified Music Therapist (MTA), founder of Calgary-based JB Music Therapy and author of the book  TUNE IN. A highly regarded expert and trail-blazer in her field, Jennifer has been serving the Calgary community for over 20 years and is a regular presenter and keynote speaker at national conferences.

 

Jennifer has taught at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University and is frequently interviewed on radio or television or quoted in health care and popular magazines including Chatelaine and Canadian Living. Jennifer has contributed to the text books Creating Connections in Nursing Care Through the Arts and the Autism Handbook 101.

 

Jennifer is instrumental in the implementation of hundreds of music therapy programs  and her company currently employs 18 music therapists. She is the current President of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy and is completing her MBA at the University of Fredericton.

Andrea Halwas Larsen:

 

 

Andrea Halwas Larsen is a Registered Expressive Arts Therapy Consultant and Educator and is currently completing her internship as a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. Andrea has been using the creative arts in therapeutic and rehabilitative work with youth and their families since 2007. Andrea holds a BA (Honours), a MFA, and a Doctorate from the University of Calgary.

 

 Andrea’s doctoral work focused on the therapeutic and experiential affect of drama in grief and loss. Andrea currently works as an associate at Juno House, running her own private practice working with young women with anxiety-based disorders.