Heather Caruso offers psychotherapy and art therapy services to adults, children and teens, online and in person, serving Guelph, Cambridge, and Kitchener Waterloo area.
About Heather and Her Approach
Heather Caruso graduated from University of Toronto with a degree in Psychology over 30 years ago. Her interests have changed a lot since then. Today, she is a Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT) and Registered Psychotherapist (RP), and the owner of Art Therapy Guelph. Heather’s aim in psychotherapy is to work alongside her clients to support them in reaching their goals. This may be achieved by helping clients to:
- recognize thoughts and/or behaviors that help or hold them back
- bring understanding to the parts of them that struggle, have stored trauma and/or negative life experiences
- process difficult life experiences in the present and past
- feel respected as a unique individual
- gain coping skills such as mindfulness and body-based grounding tools
- identify their core values and strengths, in order to live according to one’s principles
- learn how to have healthy boundaries and use assertive communication
- enhance their self compassion, kindness and curiosity about themselves
- cultivate a life that is balanced for a healthy mind, body and spirit
Although Heather is a psychotherapist, her focus in sessions on blending various psychotherapy approaches with creative artmaking. These approaches may be CBT, DBT, Mindfulness and/or Internal Family Systems. The art helps with self discovery, exploration, expression, understanding and soothing. It enhances creative expression, discussion and supports people in a way that is gentle, effective and fun.
Areas of Interest:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Life transitions
- Narcissistic abuse
- Self Esteem
- Stress
- Trauma
- Post traumatic stress
- Complex PTSD
- First Responders
Certifications and Trainings
- Degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto
- Diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional level I and II for Complex Trauma (CCTP-II)
- Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional
- Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician
- Certificate in Trauma Counselling for Mental Health Professionals
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Level 1 and 2
- Certificate in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Certificate in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
- Canadian Art Therapy Association
- Ontario Art Therapy Association
- Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists
Professional Development
- Internal Family Systems
- Internal Family Systems for PTSD and Complex Trauma
- Somatic Internal Family Systems
- Trauma Informed Culturally Responsive Expressive Arts
- Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing
- Bilateral Stimulation, EMDR and Art Therapy
- Restorative Embodiment and Expressive Arts Therapy
- Restorative Attachment and Expressive Arts Therapy
- The list goes on...
Heather has personally experienced and continues to witness art therapy's gentle transformational powers. Art therapy is liberating and healing. Heather's hope is that together, her clients they will process the darkness of their past and paint a brighter future.
Want more information? Art Therapy Guelph offers a complimentary 15 minute chat where you can ask questions about what we do and see if it is a good fit. Click the BOOK NOW button to reserve your time.