Updates from Sonya Gracey, Art Therapist of Otherways Creative

Hello lovely Heart & Hands community!

I wanted to write this small update to let you know how my first few months have been here
doing art therapy at this wonderful community third space – and in short, it has been so good!

Some practice shares:

• Jade, Christina and Anna are THE best – and I am so happy to have found this
  specialized space to land and feel so grateful that it is so deeply values based and
  community centered (Thank you!!!)
• I have several regular folks coming to see me for art therapy, and most anyone who
  comes for one session, comes back for more – and that feels like the best feedback ever.
• Earlier this month I was at the Queer and Trans Farmers Market, with
  Heart & Hands and Green Muse Herbs and contributed 3x 1 hr Art Therapy intro
  sessions to the raffle prizes (see you soon winners!).
• We have been working lots with collage, oil pastel, felting, poetry, bilateral drawing,
  scribble art, graphite pencils, and zine making with so much magic being created by
  each participant!
• Some of the things that we have been working on in the space over the last two months
  are loneliness, grief (so much grief!), loss, heart ache, relationship navigation, identity
  discovery, worry and overwhelm, as well as decision making processes.
• DONT FORGET your mask!! It’s important (and a commitment we have made to this
  community) to mask when you arrive and in the shared spaces.

Personal Update:

I am now finished with my practicum hours, and just in the process of completing my capstone
project that I will share with this community once it is complete. I hope to have my diploma in
hand by mid-August. I have also applied to become a registered clinical counsellor via the BC
Association of Clinical Counsellors and so hope to also see this come to fruition in the new year.
YAY!! That being said I have every intention of staying with Heart & Hands!!

Fee Changes:

As I transition out of the student role, and back into my professional role I will be increasing my
fees. Starting August 1, 2025, my fees will be increasing to $80-$150 / 60m session.
This increase is necessary to ensure that I can be well myself and keep offering services in this
community. I will continue to offer a pay-what-you-can scale – please reach out to discuss if this
is needed and we can make a plan.

I anticipate an additional fee scale change in the new year but will always be open to discuss how to make a plan possible if you are interested in weaving an art therapy experience into your life. I have some availability left in August – so if you are feeling like some time with me may be a fit – please check out my availability here!