Creativity, curiosity and compassionate care are at the core of my practice. When journeying through difficult experiences, art becomes a powerful friend for the courageous path of healing and transformation. You do not need to be an artist to be in sessions with me. I deeply believe that the arts can be a portal through which a personal metamorphosis can be facilitated.

My primary modality is Expressive Arts Therapy, which is informed by more than twenty years of community arts and professional dance practice. I integrate somatic and emotionally focused therapies as core frameworks in my practice, and I embrace all art modalities into the therapeutic space.

I am a Venezuelan-Canadian queer woman of colour with lived experience of migration. I work from an evolving feminist, anti-oppression, sex-positive and poly-affirming framework. Gently and bravely understanding and unpacking the impacts of systemic and colonial structures on the constructs of identity and mental health is crucial for the work that we will do together. As an uninvited settler living and practicing in T’koronto, I am thankful to the current and historic stewards of the Dish With One Spoon Territory and honour the responsibility to continue to be in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and to educate myself in how I can contribute to the protection of this territory and Turtle Island at large.

I received my Expressive Arts Therapy certificate from the Create Institute and I have a Masters in Dance (York University) and a Bachelor in Urban Planning (University of Toronto). I have worked with: women, families and children fleeing interpersonal violence; queer communities navigating identity and exclusion; harm-reduction/substance use; and with immigrant populations navigating settlement processes. My practice is trauma-based and rooted in the fundamentals of the client being the expert of their lived experiences.

ExAT, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MFA, BFA

VAW Counselling Movement Coach

OEATA Professional Member

Creativity, curiosity and compassionate care are at the core of my practice. When journeying thro... Read More

I am Malu, an Expressive Arts Therapist, educator, and artist based in Toronto. Born in Bogota, Colombia and enriched by over two decades of cultural experiences across Latin America, Europe, and North America, my therapeutic practice is a profound blend of global perspectives and artistic modalities. As the co-founder of Tejiendo Alas, a Latinx-serving collective in Toronto, I provide mental health services in Spanish, English, and French, alongside maintaining a private practice.

Educated at The Create Institute with a B.A. in Child and Family Pedagogy and a postgraduate degree in Children’s Media, my approach is deeply informed by the intricate ways in which media shapes our experiences and perceptions. This understanding is pivotal in exploring the relationships we hold with the media we consume, acknowledging its significant impact on our mental health and identity.

As an Expressive Arts Therapist, I am committed to the transformative power of stories and art in addressing both struggles and healing. My therapeutic sessions utilize all modalities of the arts to support individuals through their suffering, joy, and life transitions. My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive, focusing on connection and emphasizing environmental considerations in healing. I strive to create a space where clients are recognized as the experts in their own lives, facilitating a collaborative exploration of their narratives and experiences.

Navigating life with ADHD myself, I offer a unique perspective and sensitivity in working with clients who share this experience, tailoring therapeutic approaches to meet the specific needs and strengths of individuals with ADHD.

My prior role at Hospice Toronto enriched my understanding of grief and its profound impact on mental health, particularly in the contexts of end-of-life care and bereavement. This experience led me to meaningful engagements with Toronto’s HIV community, partnering with organizations such as ACAS, PASAN, PWA, and Sherbourne Health. These interactions underscored the value of community in mental health and healing journeys.

An important aspect of my practice is acknowledging and holding space for the intersectionality of grief, loss, health, systemic oppression, trauma, identity, and immigration. These complex layers are ever-present in my work, reflecting the nuanced realities that individuals navigate daily.

Through community building, whether in group sessions or one-on-one engagements, I aim to foster understanding, resilience, and growth. My work is dedicated to reframing stories and enhancing connections through artistic expression and therapeutic exploration.

I am Malu, an Expressive Arts Therapist, educator, and artist based in Toronto. Born in Bogota, C... Read More