Elspeth MacEwan

As a psychotherapist, now retired, “Creative Healing” has been central to my work. And throughout my life, I have nurtured my soul through art, writing, movement and music, and playing with crafts, in my own unique ways.

On day one of a pottery class, my teacher Cynthia O’Brien started her class by saying, “I’m going to show you some stuff, and you can do whatever you like here.” There are so many wonderful ways to explore and experience life. Among other things, I am a hospice volunteer, a labyrinth facilitator, and in 2016, I completed a certificate program in Expressive Arts at Fleming College, Haliburton.

I remember one day a colleague telling me she was going to take a class entitled, “Dare to Draw.” That stayed with me, as it is true, being an artist takes courage! And as they always say when you fly, “the safety and comfort of our passengers is our first concern.” This principle is essential for creative work in a group. The most satisfying part of my psychiatric practice was being a group therapist, and I have found that those skills are very helpful for leading expressive arts activities. Humans are vulnerable beings, and it is often through our wounds, failures or losses that we discover our strength.