about me
Hi, I'm Christopher Vu, art therapist and clinical counsellor at Providence Therapy.
I am a Professional Art Therapist (member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association) and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I hold my Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy (MCP: AT) degree from Adler University, where I focused on integrating Art Therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to work with trauma and other mental health concerns.
When I first heard the term "Art Therapy" 7 years ago, it spoke to me instantly, and I knew this was an area I needed to explore further. Art has always existed in various forms; from the shapes, colours, and sounds of nature, to all the works of artists worldwide. Art is everywhere and has opened up a new world for me as an individual.
Art also has an incredible capacity to connect our mind and our body in the healing process. Research has shown that art therapy has the capacity to improve memory, relieve stress, create greater empathy, and heal both physically and mentally.
Today I am proud to work as an art therapist, guiding others on their healing paths using this incredible medium.
“The arts empower. The arts give a voice to the voiceless. The arts help transform communities and, as I often say, the result can be a better child, a better town, a better nation and certainly a better world.” -Robert L Lynch
The idea of Art Therapy can often be misleading, causing clients to think that they need to be an artist first or more creative for it to be helpful. The good news is that Art Therapy is for everyone! Although you might find it hard at first to let go of your expectations, don't worry, many people feel this way at first. Take a deep breath, and allow yourself a little compassion. I will be there each step of the way to support you, explore your expectations, and guide you through the process. The most important pieces of your work will be known by the experiences you have, through all the emotions you feel, and the memories you gain; not the final product. Art Therapy is a tool, a new way to help reveal, discover, and express yourself. Anyone, no matter their skill level, can find themselves through Art Therapy. As a counsellor, my goal is to guide and support you, let you explore a wide range of materials, and invite you to the journey of finding yourself through art.
My approach to counseling is psychodynamic, person-centered, and trauma-informed. I believe that we all have difficult moments in our lives that are hard to move past. Sometimes it can feel like we are still reliving these events, or the impacts of the events continue to interfere with our relationships, self-confidence, and day-to-day lives. Often we forget how much we have grown and moved forward, and that we now have more power and resources than we may originally think. The psychodynamic approach can help us gain new insights into our lives, and by integrating art into the session, it can become a powerful mind-body-oriented resource for individuals to look into themselves, and at their concerns, from a different angle.
As a person-centred and trauma-informed practitioner, I uphold the values of providing a safe and comfortable environment for my clients. It is only in the environment of safety and containment that we can fully open up to therapy and healing. My role as a therapist and counsellor is to help and guide you, and hold space for you to grow and develop in your journey.
In addition to these approaches to counselling, I also apply many principles of the cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) model in my practice and have witnessed the effective and practical value it carries for many clients.
I have experience working with mood disorders, anxiety, substance use, end-of-life and grief, self-esteem, and self-compassion.
On a personal note, I enjoy my life most by the connections I hold with the people around me and the universe. I love discovering new food and new cultures, listening to other’s stories, and connecting with the people around me. I am always amazed by the universe's synchronicity on my journey.
I look forward to meeting you!
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