Meet the Artist in Residence

Meet the Artist in Residence

Elva PaloElva Palo is a practicing artist, a Registered Psychotherapist, and a Registered Canadian Art Therapist with a Bachelor of Arts (Hon.) degree in Visual Arts, a Master of Science degree in Creative Arts Therapy and a graduate diploma in Art Therapy. Her private practice at EP Therapy Studio in Oakville is well-suited for facilitating the iCare Expressive Art Program and helping individuals enjoy various kinds of art making.

Summary of Qualifications

  • Professional artist offering art lessons, workshops, and seminars
  • Registered psychotherapist (RP) and registered Canadian art therapist (RCAT)
  • Current faculty member at Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI) teaching a graduate level program and providing supervision for registered art therapists and students
  • Contract work experience in various support centres- cancer, HIV, AIDS, eating disorders, long term care homes (LTC), public schools and community centres
  • Member of CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario), OACCPP (Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists), CATA (Canadian Art Therapy Association) and Ontario Arts Council (OAC)

Art Education and Experience:

  • Studio Art degree and art history education (university/graduate school)
  • Wellspring art program and gallery development
  • Timmas Art Studio program director and teacher
  • Haapsalu Summer Art School program director
  • Honorary member and past vice-president of EKKT (Society of Estonian Artists in Toronto)

Cognitive Health training:

  • Memories in the Making, Art Activity Training for People with Dementia, Alzheimer’s Association Orange County, Irvine, California, USA
  • Dementia & U-First Education Certificate Program for Front-line Workers , Alzheimer Society Toronto
  • Behavioural Support Ontario Training Program , Alzheimer Society Toronto

Mental Health training:

  • Working Effectively with First Responders , Kent Laidlaw, Dan Dalton Psychology Professional Corporation, Brampton, Ontario
  • Introduction to Palliative Care , Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
  • DBT Essentials, Lane Pederson , Dan Dalton Psychology Professional Corporation, Brampton, Ontario
  • CBT for Direct Service Workers , CBT Training for Anxiety and Depression, The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Gail Appel Institute, Toronto, Ontario
  • EFT for Eating Disorders, Modules I, II and lll, Faculty of Health Psychology Clinic, York University, Toronto, Ontario

Therapeutic program credits:

    • Horticultural Therapy in Long Term Care, George Brown College,Toronto, Ontario
    • PhotoTherapy Techniques Introductory Workshop , Judy Weiser’s PhotoTherapy Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia
    • Thanatology Studies (THS) Certification Program:, Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) Educational Conference, Montreal, Quebec
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