Norma Araiza

Norma Araiza is a Performer/Choreographer/Instructor/Registered Psychotherapist of Yoeme (Yaqui) descend, originally from Mexico. She has studied different disciplines within the arts in order to find her own unique style that blends dance, theatre, vocals, percussion, and storytelling with cultural and traditional themes especially from her Indigenous background. She uses these modalities in her Expressive Arts Therapy (EXAT) practice.
Norma has completed her Master's Degree in Dance Ethnology at York University, and graduated from the Expressive Arts Therapy Program at the CREATE Institute (former ISIS-Canada) in 2007. Since her graduation, Araiza has been lucky to work as an EXA therapist. She is currently working at Hospice Toronto as the EXAT Program Coordinator. Hospice Toronto focuses on clients with life threatening illnesses, palliative care, anticipatory grief, and grief and bereavement. However, there are many different loses in our society that Norma addresses with her clients. She facilitates sessions using Expressive Arts Therapy in groups and with individual clients in different settings such as hospitals, community centres, schools, non-profit organizations, etc. She also has a small private practice, and teaches all over the place!

Credentials:  Registered Psychotherapist, CRPO
                       MFA in Dance Ethnology, York University
                       Diploma in EXAT, The Create Institute 2007 (formerly ISIS Canada)

Additional Training: Trauma Informed, Somatics

Professional Affiliations: CRPO, OEATA

Population served: Adults, Seniors, BIPOC, LGBTQ2S

Arts practice: Intermodal, Dance, Theatre

Location: Toronto

Contact:    normaraiza@gmail.com  or 416-516-5586