Sarah Fitzgibbon, Art Therapist

My Approach

Sarah offers therapy that is dignity-driven, trauma-informed, and person-centered. This approach involves following the lead of the individual she is supporting and believing in each person's ability for self-direction. Everyone has the knowledge of what to explore, whom to confide in, and how to progress towards personal growth, Sarah collaborates with you throughout your unique journey, providing support in a way that suits you best. She draws on the creative process, attachment theory, developmental theories, response-based practice and internal family systems approaches to guide our work together.

SunRae Studio is a safe space that is neuro-affirming, queer-affirming, and places a high value on cultural safety.

Sarah is a certified Art Therapist in professional standing with the Canadian Art Therapy Association. She has 8 years of experience working with children and their families and offers services in person for qathet Regional District, BC.

Art Teacher to Art Therapist

Before pursuing psychology courses at Thompson Rivers University and enrolling in a graduate art therapy program, Sarah spent six years as an art teacher at a local art studio. During this period, she organized after-school programs, managed special events, and conducted workshops for individuals of all ages. The studio collaborated with public and private school districts, along with homeschooling groups, to offer classes. Additionally, the studio initiated a weekly art evening for women in an addiction treatment program. It was through facilitating this group that Sarah recognized the therapeutic value of engaging in the creative process. This realization sparked her interest in utilizing creativity as a healing tool and a method of self-exploration. Sarah shifted her focus from emphasizing technique, teaching, and final products to prioritizing the process of creation, which marked the beginning of her journey into art therapy.

Education

BFA- Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary, Alberta.

DKATI- Graduate Diploma, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, Nelson, BC.

  • Completed Thesis - A Butterfly Within: An Example of Anti-Oppressive Art Therapy for Diverse-abilities

Sarah has continuing education certificates in:

  • Solutions Focused Therapy

  • San’as: Indigenous Cultural Safety for Child Welfare

  • Master Class for Healers with Dr. Gabour Mate, (Understanding Through a Lens of Trauma).

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

  • Emergency First Aid

Sarah has additional training and experience in:

  • Family Systems

  • Crises Intervention & De-escalation

  • Mediation

  • Collaborative Helping

  • Cultural & Intergenerational Trauma

  • Addiction and Mental Health

  • Infant and Child Development.

  • Attachment Thoery