🍏 Event Details:

• Date & Time: Sunday, March 16th @ 1:30pm - 3:30pm. Drop-in as you please, anytime between  1:30pm-3:00pm considering the time needed for art!

• Location: Decipher Counselling Art Therapy Studio, 207 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC in room 315

• Cost: Suggested $15

• Tickets: Available here; 6 spots max! 

🍎 About the Open Studio Workshop:

Join us for an open studio-style workshop where we'll transform old materials into something special! Bring your favourite or old magazines you don't mind cutting up, past artworks ready for a second life, and an open mind. Through collage and mixed media, we'll explore how it feels to let go without the pressure to make something 'perfect', and just play.

This is a cozy space where you can explore letting go of 'good' art, and instead explore what feels good in cutting, tearing, and reworking pieces of past artworks and magazines into something new—using collage!

🍏 What You Can Expect:

• the art of releasing: mobilize creative energy to create freely—no 'good art' pressure, no perfection, just play.

• making new meanings from old pieces of you: reimagine them to reflect who you are becoming.

• soft-guided open studio style: focus on the creative process in a cozy community - minus the overthinking.

🍎 No prior art experience needed—just bring your creativity! Whether you're an artist or it’s your first time making collage, you're welcome here. Everyone will leave with a personal collage or reworked piece of art that can symbolize them in their journey.

What to Bring (encouraged!): Old magazines, newspapers, past artwork you’d like to rework, stickers.

Policies:

• Age: 18+ (all genders welcome)

• Cancellation: Notify Chloe within 24hr for a refund. Please inform us if you can no longer attend so we can open your spot to someone else.

About the Facilitator:

Chloe is a Taiwanese-Canadian practicum counselling art therapy student at Adler University. As a recovering perfectionist and art school graduate, she aims to create a space where art isn’t about being ‘good’ or ‘bad’—but simply about the joy of creating.

Lately, she’s been obsessed with ripped collages—gathering bits of old art, magazines, and postcards to make something fun and messy. The process reminds her of taking pieces of her past self—forgotten art that no longer serves her—and transforming them into something new and meaningful.

✂️ Let’s cut, layer, and create something meaningful together!

For more inspiration, check out Chloe's art @hichloekwok
If you’d like to join us for future workshops, check out @deciphercounselling

Wintertime can stir up a lot of feelings. This workshop offers a peaceful space to reflect on the past year and set gentle intentions for the year ahead through a meaningful art-making activity, guided by our art therapist, Maddison Miller.

Together, we’ll explore the themes of stillness, rest, and renewal that the solstice represents.

📅 Date: Dec 21, 2024
⏰ Time: 6:00–8:30 PM
🌟 Space limited to 6–8 participants

🌟 What to Expect:

• Guided therapeutic art-making (no experience needed!)

• Connection with a supportive group in a serene, candlelit space

• Tools to reflect, release, and invite mindful energy

• A moment to pause and honour your journey

Our studio will transform into a cozy, tranquil space for an evening of creativity and community. 🕯️ All art materials are provided, and warm tea will be served. No matter your skill level, this is a safe space for self-expression and healing.

🌲 Join us for a calming art therapy workshop to celebrate the solstice and discover the stillness within.

About this event:
We will be meeting on Saturday, November 2 10:00am-11:30am PST (online via zoom)

The aim for this workshop: last part out of the 3-part art therapy drop-in series

Create your morning and evening ritual is to develop a personal heart-based morning and evening routine to find alignment and nourishment in mind, body, and spirit. This workshop is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about holistic healing and creating art for expression, no prior experience required.

What does the workshop flow look like?

• Welcome & Check in

• Theme introduction

• Create your affirmation or prayer

• Chair yoga stretches

• Art invitation 

• Optional sharing

What should I bring? 

Your lovely self, simple art making materials of your choice - your favourite pens and paper, open mind and open heart, a beverage to keep you hydrated. 

About your facilitator

Coco is an art therapist in training from Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. She hopes to work alongside you to help you cultivate self-worth and believe in your own healing power to attend to your inner wounds. She works from a trauma-informed, client-centred, and somatic approach. She is always finding ways to encourage her clients to reflect and become aware of their mind-body connection, tune into their heart space, and contemplate their identity and relationships with themselves, with others and their environment.

How can Coco help?

Both yoga practice and mindful art making have the potential to process trauma while recognizing your felt sense (physical bodily awareness), which aren’t always easy to articulate or put into words. Coco facilitates art workshops in the hopes of inspiring others to become the most authentic version of themselves, to start their healing journey, and to live their lives with creativity and mindfulness.

FAQs:

Will this workshop be recorded?

Yes, for all you busy bees and timezone differences! The link to the recording will be sent via email a few days after the live event.

Where is the zoom link?

We will be contacting everyone who signed up and sending you notifications to join the link for the event.

https://deciphercounselling.com/practitioners/coco-huang

@artwithco

About this event

​​We will be meeting on Saturday, October 12th 10:00am-11:30am PST (online via zoom).

This is part 2 out of the 3-part art therapy drop-in series for creative healing:

Discover the self through mandalas is to increase self awareness, tap into the subconscious through creative inquiry, and trust our intuitive abilities to design an unique mandala art. This workshop is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about holistic healing and creating art for expression, no prior experience required.

What does the workshop flow look like?

• Welcome & Check in

• Theme introduction

• Meditation for healing

• Self-soothe technique

• Art invitation

• Optional sharing

What should I bring?

Your lovely self, simple art making materials of your choice - your favourite pens and paper, open mind and open heart, a beverage to keep you hydrated.

About your facilitator

Coco is an art therapist in training from Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. She hopes to work alongside you to help you cultivate self-worth and believe in your own healing power to attend to your inner wounds. She works from a trauma-informed, client-centred, and somatic approach. She is always finding ways to encourage her clients to reflect and become aware of their mind-body connection, tune into their heart space, and contemplate their identity and relationships with themselves, with others and their environment.

How Coco can help you

Both yoga practice and mindful art making have the potential to process trauma while recognizing your felt sense (physical bodily awareness), which aren’t always easy to articulate or put into words. Coco facilitates art workshops in the hopes of inspiring others to become the most authentic version of themselves, to start their healing journey, and to live their lives with creativity and mindfulness.

FAQs:

Will this workshop be recorded?

Yes, for all you busy bees and timezone differences! The link to the recording will be sent via email a few days after the live event.

Where is the zoom link?

We will be contacting everyone who signed up and sending you notifications to join the link for the event.

https://deciphercounselling.com/practitioners/coco-huang

@artwithco

We will be meeting on Saturday, September 21st 10:00am-11:30am PST (online via zoom)

The aim for this workshop: part 1 of the drop-in 3-part series

Healing our hearts is collective healing and how to be in tune with our hearts. We’ll learn ways to make ourselves feel supported and empowered to allow repair, forgiveness, and gratitude to happen. This workshop is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about holistic healing and creating art for expression, no prior experience required.

What does the workshop flow look like?

• Welcome & Check in

• Theme introduction

• Meditation for healing

• Self-soothe technique

• Art invitation

• Optional sharing

What should I bring?

Your lovely self, simple art making materials of your choice - your favourite pens and paper, open mind and open heart, a beverage to keep you hydrated.

About your facilitator

Coco is an art therapist in training from Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. She hopes to work alongside you to help you cultivate self-worth and believe in your own healing power to attend to your inner wounds. She works from a trauma-informed, client-centred, and somatic approach. She is always finding ways to encourage her clients to reflect and become aware of their mind-body connection, tune into their heart space, and contemplate their identity and relationships with themselves, with others and their environment.

How Coco can help you

Both yoga practice and mindful art making have the potential to process trauma while recognizing your felt sense (physical bodily awareness), which aren’t always easy to articulate or put into words. Coco facilitates art workshops in the hopes of inspiring others to become the most authentic version of themselves, to start their healing journey, and to live their lives with creativity and mindfulness.

FAQs:

Will this workshop be recorded?

Yes, for all you busy bees and timezone differences! The link to the recording will be sent via email a few days after the live event.

Where is the zoom link?

We will be contacting everyone who signed up and sending you notifications to join the link for the event.

https://deciphercounselling.com/practitioners/coco-huang

@artwithco

Join us to reshape the narrative around the menstrual cycle. To honour our experiences, embrace its complexities, and foster a culture of compassion, inclusivity, empowerment, and excitement. Our mission is to provide an inclusive outlook on the menstrual cycle, cultivate acceptance and support, educate on its impact on mental health and empower us to navigate its natural ebbs and flows.

Mindful Menstruation offers a new perspective that celebrates and validates the diverse experiences of menstruation through the lens of nature.

Workshop Objectives:

• Understand the menstrual cycle comprehensively.

• Explore the cycle’s relationship with seasonal changes and its impact on mental well-being.

• Learn practical tools to manage different cycle phases, focusing on the premenstrual phase and acknowledging PMDD and PME.

• Promote wellness with a menstrual care framework rooted in pleasure and rest.
  

Who Should Attend: 

This workshop is open to individuals of all genders and backgrounds seeking to deepen their understanding of the menstrual cycle. It is particularly beneficial for those who have advocated for themselves in the medical system regarding mental or physical health related to their cycle.

Our workshop combines educational content, group dialogue, and practical exercises to foster engagement and learning.

Workshop Content:

• Insights into the menstrual cycle and its connection to natural rhythms.

• The psychological and physiological effects of different menstrual phases on mental health.

• Effective self-care and community care strategies for each phase, emphasizing nurturing practices during the premenstrual period.

Benefits!

Participants can expect to:

• Develop a deeper appreciation for the diversity of menstrual experiences.

• Acquire actionable strategies for self-care and well-being throughout the menstrual cycle.

• Feel empowered to embrace their individual journey with greater confidence and understanding.

Presenter Bio: 

Mackenzie St. Laurent [she/her] is a menstrual wellness counsellor who combines her lived experience with PMDD and endometriosis with her educational background in Psychology and Wellness Counselling. Her practice, mēnē cyclical wellness, aims to bridge the gap between what’s available and what’s possible in menstrual care.

At Decipher, we believe in dismantling and changing the conversation around health, including the menstrual cycle 🤎

FAQ:

Will this workshop be recorded?

The workshop will be recorded for those who cannot make it live to the virtual event. The only part that will not be recorded is the Q&A at the end.

Will there be notifications in case I miss the live?

We will be sending out notifications via email with the Zoom link, a week, 1 day and 1 hr prior to the workshop event!

Where will the proceeds go?

50% of proceeds go towards purchasing eSims to connect families in Gaza

Picnic/Beach theme

Get your ticket/s here: Save your spot

Cafe theme

Get your ticket/s here: Save your spot

What sparks your play?

Play often reminds us of our childhood self: the sense of wonder, excitement, silliness & joy! But how can we reconnect with these parts of ourselves in our busy adult lives? How can we embrace play as a tool for healing?

In this online workshop, Linda Lin (Registered Counsellor & Art Therapist) will introduce us to the world of art therapy, exploring ways to create through a trauma-informed practice as we unlearn rules around art making and re-connect with play!

LET’S BRING BACK THE JOY, WONDER & EXCITEMENT OF OUR INNER CHILD 🌞🖼️🎨

DATE: Saturday, April 20th at 11AM PST / 2PM EST / 8PM CET. The Zoom link will be emailed to you before the workshop begins (Check spam/junk if you don't see it)

DURATION: 1-Hour + 30mins for questions/hanging out (We will try our best to make a recording so it can be re-accessed!) 

WHAT TO BRING:

↳ Drawing Surface (journal, notebook, paper, canvas)
↳ Materials to Create with (pens, markers, pencil crayons, stickers, magazines)
↳ Cozy Company (a beverage, stuffed animal)

*optional: wear something that reminds you of PLAY!*

TIERED PRICING: Sliding scale pricing is a circular, community care-based fee arrangement bringing into consideration the disparity of economic access and privilege so folks at different social locations and intersections can access the offerings. It is not a sale or discount. 

This is a collaboration with Friendly Bureau. Save your spot here: https://www.friendlybureau.com/products/workshop-portal-for-play