About Me

Katherine Searle, DKATI, BFA

Artist and Art Therapist

Who I Am

I am cis-gender, queer, neuro-spicy, and authentically awkward. I grew up surrounded by the Salish Sea on the small Southern Gulf Island community of Pender, S,DÁYES, in the territory of the WSÁNEĆ First Nations. While I have resided in several locations within this province, I am most at home here on the land of the Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples. My husband and I currently reside in the Westshore area of Victoria.

I completed a BFA in visual arts and psychology at UFV in Abbotsford, followed by my Masters-level post bachelor diploma program in Art Therapy at the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (KATI), which is located in Nelson B.C. I am a Professional Art Therapist in good standing with the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA), and hold a Professional membership with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

How I Work

While my personal approach as an art therapist pulls from a variety of theoretical approaches, my practice is rooted within a humanistic lens – mainly relational, client-led, trauma-informed, strengths-based, anti-oppressive, and existential.

I walk alongside my clients, listening empathically, facilitating an environment free of judgement. If and when a client chooses to process their artwork, I ask open-ended questions with curiosity and gentleness.

I hold the belief that each of my clients hold the power to make the changes they would like to see in themselves when provided a safe place to explore and look inward.

Working with me is intended to be a relational process where we gently pull back layers checking-in as we go, moving between exploration and resourcing.