Here’s a bit of my story…

Hi, I’m Julie. I’m a frontline health care support worker and expressive arts facilitator with a deep belief in the power of creativity to support healing and connection. I grew up on Treaty 4 territory, the traditional lands of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation. I now live on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC.

Over the years I’ve supported clients in navigating mental health challenges, the healthcare system, and community resources, while also creating spaces for people to connect with themselves and others through the arts.

My own path into expressive arts began with dance. Growing up, ballet and movement were both a refuge and a challenge—they gave me strength and expression, while also showing me how hard it can be to fit into rigid boxes. Returning to movement later in life opened a door to curiosity, play, and self-discovery. Finding expressive arts therapy felt like finding home inside myself. It allowed me to embrace all my parts—the messy and dark alongside the light and playful. Ever since, I’ve been passionate about sharing that possibility with others.

In my facilitation, I weave together movement, mixed-material art-making, writing, and storytelling. My passion is creating workshops that allow folks to explore creativity and expression in a curious, playful, and judgment-free space. I believe these spaces can help us share stories, discover new perspectives, and feel more connected to ourselves and each other.

When I’m not facilitating or working in support roles, I love to spend time writing, moving, reading, and exploring the world—whether that’s biking through new places abroad or wandering the streets of my own neighbourhood.

My Approach

I have a playful approach to using the arts as a tool for exploration. I have always been one to test conventions and I believe in creating a safe, non-judgmental environment to do so. I believe working in the arts allows us to drop into a way of exploring the world with new lenses. By tapping into our senses we can start to examine our patterns for holding on to experiences and find new ways of release that can result in resiliency. I also remain deeply curious about our relationships with the natural world and seeking ways to weave this connection into our healing journeys.

In sessions, I guide clients through a creative process that allows them to step away from the everyday to connect with their imagination and intuitive flow. We approach art making with curiosity rather than worry about making something pretty. We use the art that emerges to speak to us and help us to see how things can be different. The creation process helps uncover our strengths and inner wisdom.