Katie White, RP (Q)

I am a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) with specialized training in art therapy. As a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and strengths-based clinician, I strive to meet my clients with empathy, validation, and non-judgmental support, while recognizing and emphasizing their personal strengths and resiliencies all along the way. 

My intention is to create a warm and welcoming therapeutic space where you can be at ease to be yourself. As your therapist, I will work alongside you to investigate your patterns, understand your thoughts and emotions, explore problem solving, and overall, work towards meeting your wellness goals. 
Art making can be a supportive therapeutic tool, as it can help create opportunities for deepened insight and reflection. Sometimes words fall short and it can be difficult to talk about what we’re feeling. Creating art can help us externalize our thoughts and emotions and make sense of them in a new way. Art therapy is about the process, not the final product. No art experience is required to participate in art therapy.

My training and experience working with eating disorders has taught me how our mental health shows up in our bodies and in the ways we relate with the world around us. This experience has emphasized the importance of identifying how our thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being all influence each other, and the impact of strengthening these connections in order to promote self-compassion and build a sense of balance. 

I work with individuals ages 14+, offering support as they navigate a number of different challenges. Together, we can explore life transitions and identity exploration, which may include identifying your values and how you want to show up in the world. We can focus on relationship dynamics, which may include identifying boundaries and practicing communication. We can explore emotional regulation, as well as build tools to manage stress and anxiety. We may also work to identify specific patterns of thought that feel unhelpful, such as self-criticism and perfectionism. 

I have specialized training and experience working with individuals navigating disordered eating and eating disorders, working alongside other medical professionals to ensure comprehensive care. Additionally, I work with family members and friends who are supporting their loved ones with eating disorders. Lastly, I am trained in grief work and support individuals as they process and live with various forms of loss.

Alongside art therapy, I use a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as internal family systems (IFS), attachment-based therapy, somatic techniques, dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), emotionally focused individual therapy (EFIT), and compassion focused therapy (CFT).