Non-Clinical Offerings
Expressive arts practices and journeying are found by many to be therapeutic and supportive, but it’s important to note that they are not considered therapy by definition or intention.
Non-clinical services typically look like groups and workshops where the intention is to curate space for people to come together and create in a supportive way. These services are typically considered community-focused work.
Collage + Sip
Collage and Sips are non-clinical, art-making events hosted in different businesses/coffee shops/cafes across Hamilton. During these events, you will have the opportunity to sip on your favourite beverage while getting inspired by your surroundings. These events are great for date nights, bestie hangouts, solo adventures - there truly is something for everyone here! You do not need to be skilled in collage in any way to join this event - all skill levels are welcome. The point is to get out, do a cool thing, or maybe even try a new thing, and have some fun!
Queerly Yours
Queerly Yours is a non-clinical, community-based celebration of all things 2SLGBTQQIA+ that offers a safe(r) space for folks to express themselves, meet new people, meet local Queer artists doing exciting and innovative things in the area for the community, and get to know themselves through art-making and creativity.
The group takes an open-studio, buffet-style format where participants are welcome to move freely around the space and engage in whatever art-making they are feeling called towards. A different guest co-facilitator will be welcomed into the space every session and they will provide a 30-min (approximate) demo or offering that participants will have the option to take part in (or choose not to if they would rather engage in a different form of art-making than what is being offered).
Snacks and beverages are provided. There will be zines, books, tarot cards and fun music. This space and the facilitation of Queerly Yours are grounded in trauma-informed and identity-affirming based care; if you have any concerns about attending Queerly Yours, please reach out to Lex.
Build your own Workshop
If you are a group, organization or business looking for training that incorporates art-based practices with social justice and/or mental health -themed information, please consider reaching out to build your own workshop offering.
I typically offer a 15 minute free consultation call to get a better understanding of what you and your team are looking for from the training, whether what you are looking for will be a good fit for my practice (and vice versa), and give you some ideas of what I can potentially offer. From there, we will build a workshop structure to address the needs of your team.
Previous work:
Art Gallery of Hamilton - When Things Get Rough (building mindfulness and resilience in the face of uncontrollable / unforeseen stressors)Art Gallery of Hamilton - Befriending The Monsters (building self-compassion and kindness towards difficult to feel emotions and parts of ourselves)Staples Diversity Equity and Inclusion - Canvas of Inclusion (exploration of identity through pastels and watercolour practices)St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton - Ontario Structured Psychotherapy West - Wellness Practice (exploration of comfort, rest and rejuvenation through open-studio art-making)McMaster University - The Power of Story (shifting unhelpful beliefs / narratives towards helpful beliefs / narratives)Wilfred Laurier - Art as Activism (expressive art practices as tools for practicing thoughtful and reflective activism from an anti-oppressive practice and trauma-informed lens)Mohawk College - Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training (under the Substance Overdose Prevention and Education Network)St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton - Ontario Structured Psychotherapy West - Working With Trans and Gender-Diverse Individuals (Part 1) and Their Loved Ones (Part 2)Art Gallery of Hamilton - Building and Strengthening Safe(r) Spaces Workshop