BFA, RCAT, BCATR, DVATI
Monica is the Founder of KATI. As of 2022, Monica transitioned into a new role: Professor Emeritus. This honourable designation will allow Monica to continue to contribute to the academic life of the Institute in ways that only she can, teaching specialty course work and advising. She has over 30 years’ experience as an art therapist, teacher, supervisor and clinical practitioner, has published articles in the CATA Journal and authored five books: A Geography of Dream Work and Art Therapy, Essence and Praxis in the Art Therapy Studio and A Traveller’s Guide to Art Therapy Supervision. She is the editor of Laughter at my Window and A Forest of Ideas: Rambling in Interpretive Frameworks.
Monica has produced three documentary films: Art of Lorraine Beninger, demonstrating the value of art therapy with a woman who has multiple disabilities; An Angel with a Broken Wing, art therapy for a woman with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder; and Not Broken, Richard Campbell’s film on the use of the Medicine Wheel in art therapy. She is co-designer of the Blue Heron series therapeutic communication games (available in both board and digital formats), distributed by Auxilium Horizons. She is a past president of the British Columbia Art Therapy Association, served on the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) executive for eight years as Registrar and Vice President, and currently serves on several CATA committees. She is an Honorary Life Member of CATA.
Monica is a national and international presenter on a variety of topics: anticipatory loss & grief, hermeneutics and phenomenological approach to art and poetry therapy, supervision, storytelling and eco-art therapy. She has presented in Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Israel, Ireland, England and the United States.
For Monica, making “art” and making “special” has always been a part of her life. Drawing, painting, gluing and taping together have been ways of creating the world. Monica has lived for many years in the West Kootenays in British Columbia and was instrumental in developing an Eco Sculpture Park at the Vallican Whole Community Centre.
