about me
My name is Jessica Clarke and I am a mother, a professional art therapist (CATA) and a registered psychotherapist (qualifying, CRPO). I studied art history and visual arts before completing my art therapy diploma through the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (KATI).
I grew up in Vancouver, BC and lived on Northern Vancouver Island for 17 years before moving back to Vancouver to be closer to my family. I am a mother of two young boys and a primary caregiver to my eldest son who is disabled.
I have experienced first hand the power of artmaking and creative expression to support regulation, autonomy, self-confidence, purposeful motor-planning, increased concentration, exploration, and fostering pure joy, especially with my own children. My eldest son is non-speaking with high support needs and making art provides him with a method of expression and communication through imagery, as well as beneficial and regulating sensory-motor experiences.
As an art therapist and registered psychotherapist (qualifying), I practice through a trauma informed and client-led lens, and I align with humanistic and relational theoretical approaches. What this means is that I believe things in our life are holistic and related to how we feel, our past and present lived experiences, our conscious and subconscious thoughts, and how we connect with the world around us.
Strong therapeutic relationships are based on the needs of the artist-client with a foundation on unconditional acceptance, trust, and respect for all. Sessions are structured using strength-based approaches and are heavily influenced by positive art therapy and personal choice.
I have a core belief that despite challenging circumstances and unfortunate events, individuals have the ability to source in their own resilience which can be supported by focusing on the positives to achieve better well-being and deeper understanding. I use the elements of PERMA: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievements to support optimal states of functioning.
Other modalities I am influenced by are Polyvagal Theory, Sensorimotor Art Therapy, attachment theory, metaphor theories, spiritual art therapy, and sensory-based relational art therapy. Supporting the nervous system with regulating and resourcing experiences leads to better states of being, creativity, and understanding.
I am available to share more information about what types of modalities and theories influence how I practice in art therapy, please ask! I work predominately online and am available for individual and group art therapy sessions. If you have an organization or group you feel can benefit from art therapy, I can develop a plan to deliver sessions and share information about groups I have facilitated previously.
An area of great interest to me is in caregiver grief, or living grief, which is a type of grief that does not resolve with a termination like death. My art and research on this topic are published in the Canadian Journal of Art Therapy.
You can access my publications here:
Puharich-Clarke, J. (2024). Discovering Chronic Sorrow: An Arts-Based Autoethnographic Journey with Art Therapy and Metaphor. Canadian Journal of Art Therapy, 37(1), 50-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/26907240.2024.2344314
Puharich-Clarke, J. (2024). Tree Metaphor. Canadian Journal of Art Therapy 37(1), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1080/26907240.2024.2347130
I believe all individuals have the capability of learning, sharing knowledge and wisdom, and that art making and the creative process enhances well-being and understanding. Presumption of competence is a fundamental belief in my life and in my art therapy practice. When we presume competence, we don’t presume that someone knows, we presume that someone has the ability to learn even if they cannot demonstrate knowledge at that given moment. My goal is to support all persons in art therapy, including those who are non-speaking, minimally and unreliably speaking and who use text-based systems to communicate.
Additional Info
At home, I practice and advocate for text-based systems to support communication with my non-speaking son. I am a Level 1 Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) provider and I have completed coursework and one-on-one sessions through Communication for Education, Spell 2 Communicate (S2C), and Spellers Method. I have completed training with LAMP Words For Life® through the Center of AAC and Autism.
During client intakes, I provide a full disclosure and scope of what services I can incorporate into an art therapy session including what may be of interest and benefit to my clients. I have business social media accounts that anyone can choose to follow. I may share information related to art therapy, psychotherapy, visual arts, spirituality, my daily lived experiences, autism, and being a parent caregiver. I may offer affiliate links, products, and content for purchase.
Associations and Credentials:
Member
Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA)
Member (Qualifying)
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Member
Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT)
Art Therapy Diploma
Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (KATI)
Bachelor of Visual Arts
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Bachelor of Arts majoring in Art History
University of British Columbia
Certifications, Grants and Courses:
Unyte Safe and Sound Protocol Certificate
Spellers Method Communication Partner
Polyvagal Therapy Certification
LAMP Words For Life®
Communication for Education
PSYCH-K Level 1 and Level 2 Online Workshops
Soma®RPM Level 1
Polyvagal Theory in Action: Harnessing the Healing Potential of the ANS
Sensorimotor Art Therapy Certificate
Student Research Grant Recipient, CATA
Using Art to Support Children with Sensory Processing Disorder
Low Arousal Approach, Foundations Certificate
Spell to Communicate Parent Workshop
Reference and Regulate Parent Workshops