The Value of Mentorship
Toujours là pour toi — Nancy Couture
All of us have had to begin somewhere. We weren’t born with this knowledge of therapy or how to help someone achieve their goals, and we certainly didn’t stumble onto it by accident.
Once, during my art therapy studies, an instructor said something I’ve never forgotten: “We train to be art therapists on purpose; it’s not something we do by accident.”
As professionals graduated into the world to begin practice, we quickly figure out that what we learned in school was nothing but a small nugget of what is possible and how to work; we have to hone our practice. How did we get there? Where did we begin?
Well, at least here in Canada, we began as practicum students, interns, or otherwise naïve, green, whimsical learners in a workplace. We donned capes of new knowledge, and then learned more about what we didn’t already know, and probably still don’t know.
Who helped us? Other therapists! Without a robust offering of skills, wisdom, practice, and knowledge at our disposal in the form of already licensed professionals who dedicated their time and energy to help facilitate our learning, we never would have been able to learn or become.
2020 revealed something very difficult for us all — training students is a delicate matter. Places where students are welcomed to join teams, discussions, training, and clients are precarious and precious. In a moment, hundreds of students found themselves without a place to learn from the types of professionals that you and I may have taken for granted.
I have had the privilege of serving as the Education Director for the Canadian Art Therapy Association for the past two years. I’ve learned a lot from our community, but nothing has shown itself to be more important or poignant than the need for professionals to mentor our new cohorts of students.
I have often wondered — why don’t more professionals seek out students to be a part of their teams? I love having students working alongside me as I practice. The skill and tenacity of students are so awe-inspiring and shows me what’s possible for our collective future. I’ve never been one to get bogged down in “it’s a lot of work to mentor,” because it is, and it should be — but that's not the overall point. There is also a major reward in knowing that someone is seeking wisdom and guidance from your experience, and that you're capable of giving this gift of mentorship.
It’s not about all the tasks that can be done by students (although that’s pretty amazing too!) — mentorship is about passing on intrinsic knowledge that can only be gained from practice with real people and can only be learned by practicing it yourself.
Walking Together — Sarah Gysin
Now more than ever, the future of art therapy needs professionals willing to share space with students. We are all busy, overworked, overwhelmed, and overstimulated, and I encourage you to think of creative ways to support the future of our profession.
If you have ever thought about mentoring or had a passing thought of helping out your profession, now is your time! Students across this great country, and beyond (thanks internet!), need you. The profession and future of art therapy needs you. Reach out to the training programs and offer your assistance — chances are students will be there willing to help.
Perhaps you have clients on sliding scales, or you are needing help developing workshops. Maybe you need a co-researcher, or someone to help with your literature review. Are you fortunate enough to be part of a large organization that engages in team meetings and case conferences? What an opportunity for students to learn! Do you offer online workshops, training, or group therapy that students can observe or shadow, or better yet, co-facilitate? Are you, or the community you work in, part of a culture that needs learners to listen and observe ways of knowing?
Learning and mentoring need not be only about providing therapy — there are skills all of us need outside of the therapy room. What a privilege to share that with someone new!
For a full list of approved CATA programs follow this link: https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/becoming-an-art-therapist
For the directory of art therapy supervisors, please see: https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/supervisor-directory
Artwork by Renuka Sundaram
Heidi Argyle (MA, RCAT, RP)
Waterloo, ON
Heidi is a psychotherapist and registered art therapist working in private practice in Waterloo, Ontario. She works with diverse populations including, teens, young adults and persons with complex mental health needs.
Sarah Gysin (MA, RP-Qualifying)
Ottawa, ON
Sarah is a recent graduate of Concordia University's Creative Arts Therapies program, with a master’s degree in art therapy. She is currently working as a therapist for children and youth in Ottawa. Sarah is also a freelance illustrator, and she is extremely passionate about comics and graphic storytelling.
Nancy Couture
Montreal, QC
Art-thérapeute, travailleuse sociale et psychothrérapeute, j'enseigne l'art-thérapie à l'UQAT, à Montréal depuis 2017. Dans mon travail artistique, j'explore la rencontre entre la matière et les médiums. Et au plan symbolique, je découvre les différentes significations de l'oeuf, objet fécond et protecteur.
Renuka Sundaram (PhD, ATR-BC)
Montreal, QC
Renuka was born in Montreal. Her deafness was diagnosed when she was a year of age and she was raised oral. Her mother turned to art to help Renuka express herself since she did not utter her first word until the age of 2 ½. That art expression soon became a lifelong form of expression and creativity throughout Renuka’s life. She pursued a BA in Art and attained a master’s degree in art therapy/counselling, becoming a board certified art therapist. Later, Renuka received her doctorate in education to combine art and education with children and families with special needs. She is also a certified 200-hour yoga teacher. Most of Renuka’s clinical and academic experiences have been counseling children with hearing loss and their families and teaching college students with intellectual disabilities. Renuka hopes to facilitate healing through art and yoga, as well as providing inclusivity, equality, and advocacy through educating communities about the realm of diverse abilities.