THE CREATE INSTITUTE
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Lydia Jane Charak
Expressive Arts Psychotherapist
RP, MA (EXAT), BSc, BAA

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I believe that everyone has a story and should have the opportunity to be seen, heard and understood. It is through the telling of their stories, by being witnessed, acknowledged and supported that clients find the capacity to develop a clearer understanding of themselves. Through a process of creative expression, clients can access their emotions, thoughts, feelings and memories which may be difficult through strictly verbal and cognitive means. The focus is on the process and what the artwork means for the client – not the aesthetic outcome. With warmth, acceptance and non-judgement, I offer a safe space for my clients to discover and reconnect with their inner resources through the combination of the arts, dream work and talk therapy. This approach to psychotherapy strives to integrate the client’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social functioning capacity, leading to an enhanced level of self-awareness and healing.
 
Credentials:
RP - College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
MA (EXAT) – European Graduate School - Saas Fee, Switzerland
EXAT Diploma – The CREATE Institute, 2015 - Toronto
BSc. Psychology and Criminology – U of T, 1994 - Toronto
BAA (Hons) Media Arts – Ryerson University, 1994 - Toronto

Additional Training:

Compassionate Inquiry®, The Clearing Method®,

Additional Professional development:
Emotional Mastery, Trauma-Informed Art & Expressive Arts Therapy, TF-CBT, EFT, Fundamentals of Addiction, Motivational Interviewing, The Art of Trauma, Trauma in the Mind’s Eye, Early Trauma: Impact on Brain and Psychological Development, The Body Keeps the Score: New Frontiers in Trauma Treatment, Anxiety and the Gift of Imagination, Psychodrama, Healing Dance, Liberating Creativity, Getting Unstuck, Dreams in Psychoanalysis, Calming the Hyper-Caring Professional Helper, Hospice training, Mindfulness and SEUS, Autism Ontario training, Suicide Risk Assessment and Beyond, Healing Artistic Block, Helping Clients Survive the Experience of Fear and Threat, Detangling Grief from Trauma, Children’s Grief & Bereavement, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Level 1, Psychedelics-Assisted Therapy - ATMA
 
Professional Affiliations:
CRPO (College of Psychotherapists of Ontario)
OSRP (Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists
OEATA (Ontario Expressive Arts Therapists Association)

Toronto Psychedelic Society

 
Areas of expertise and experience:

10 yrs. in private practice offering psychotherapy using a combination of Talk Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Compassionate Inquiry® and The Clearing Method®. Additionally I work with preparation and integration for Psychedelics-Assisted Therapy. Treating issues of Trauma, Loss/Grief, Anxiety/
Depression, Self-esteem, Major life events, Creativity, Dreams, Legacy

I work on-line and in-person with individuals and groups of all ages wishing to explore issues of trauma, life transitions, grief & loss, stress, depression and anxiety through a fluid combination of talk therapy, the arts and dream work. Additionally, I enjoy collaborating with adults and seniors working with the concept of legacy and a desire to be more creative.

Arts Practice:
Visual Arts (Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking, Painting) & Poetry
 
Location: Toronto  In-person and On-line

Hours: Mondays to Wednesdays 9:30 - 5:30, Thursdays 9:30 to 6:00, Fridays 9:30 to 4:00
Fee: $190     Sliding scale: $175-$190 limited availability
Book a free 20 minute consultation: https://oab.owlpractice.ca/lydiacharak/booking
Contact: 
website: imlistening.ca   tel: 416-595-9555     email: [email protected]

CREATE Studio:  
489 Queen St. East, 3rd fl., Suite 300,  Toronto, ON M5A 1V1

T: (416) 539-9728       E:  [email protected]      Clinic: [email protected]

The Create Institute is registered as a career college under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005
Registered Canadian Charitable Organization Number: 88656 8252 RR0001

  • Home
  • About
    • History
    • Director & Faculty >
      • Directors & Staff
      • Faculty
      • Adjunct Faculty
    • Board of Directors
    • Affiliation
    • Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • What is EXA?
    • Explore EXA
    • EXAT Directory
    • EXA in Practice
    • Publications
  • Programs
    • Diploma Program
    • Practicum
    • Short Courses / Workshops >
      • 8-Wk Foundations of EXA
      • Art of Trauma
      • Workshops
    • FAQs
  • Admissions
    • Admissions Criteria
    • Forms
    • International Students
  • CREATE Clinic
    • Student Clinic Members
  • Student Services
  • Alumni
    • Log-in