About Me
I have formal education in a few different fields, but for the past decade I have been actively working with the ummah in illustrating children's books. For the past few years I have also studied therapeutic facilitation using art processes, and I have worked with individuals as well as organizations both in person and online as a therapeutic art facilitator. Some local (to my city, St. Catharines) organizations include the District School Board of Niagara Adult classes, the Folk Arts Multicultural Centre, Canada Days workshops, local businesses like Pocket Change, mental health organizations like Willow Arts Community, local Muslim organizations like Girl Talk Niagara, and in the GTA with Tawheed Community Centre, among others.
When it's difficult to speak about what we are going through, making something with our hands and expressing our emotions through color, line and imagery is an excellent way to work through our feelings, to articulate our thoughts, and to regain some balance. You do not need to be an artist to do this. I help people connect with the process, instead of connecting with the outcome, and through this they are able to gain valuable insights about themselves. This helps them channel their energy in an intentional way towards building a life they truly desire, instead of working on auto-pilot. Therapeutic art benefits people of all ages and backgrounds and can be done independently once they know how. This is a powerful tool and something they can access whenever they need to, even if all they have with them is just pen and paper.
Services I Offer
I teach art as art in several different mediums, but I also (and for the past few years, mainly) facilitate workshops that offer therapeutic support through artmaking. This could be through writing, drawing, mark-making, collage, stitching, working with clay or a combination of them all. When I work with Muslims, a major component of my work is reminders from the Quran, which we incorporate into our piece.
Focus Area
- Helping people see that they have immense power. Helping them feel better about themselves and the world. Helping them recognize their potential, and clarify what they want to achieve, and supporting them in putting together a plan that would help them get there.
- When coaching individuals, I focus on the specific issue they are trying to work through, and help them with that, but I also help anyone who feels a need for general support and mentorship. Some of my clients have existing mental health support through psychiatry and counselling, but still find the creative outlet I provide to be helpful and essential to their wellbeing.
