VATI is committed to providing an educational experience that cultivates student creativity, self-awareness, and therapeutic competence. We aim to train art therapists who are active members of the art therapy community, and good ambassadors to the larger community.
ABOUT VATI
Founded in 1982 as a non-profit society and charitable organization, the institute is accredited by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB).
VATI is committed to providing an educational experience that cultivates student creativity, self-awareness, and therapeutic competence. We aim to train art therapists who are active members of the art therapy community, and good ambassadors to the larger community.
Entering its fifth decade, VATI is one of two longstanding Canadian art therapy programs that were influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Fischer. We honour the psychoanalytic roots of art therapy and include various theoretical lenses that inform the practice of art therapy. VATI offers coursework that is delivered by a diverse and accomplished faculty that allows the students to develop a solid understanding of current theory and practice.
Secondarily, the Institute provides art therapy as a service to the community at large via student practicum placements. Students are placed at agencies, schools, and hospitals. Our clinical placement students gather their required hours while offering this valuable service to
the community.
VATI follows the guidelines for training established by Canadian art therapy associations. As well, VATI is recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) as an approved training program; graduates can become members of the CRPO upon completion of the VATI diploma.
In 2023, VATI expanded its educational offerings to include an established expressive arts therapy program that has graduated over 300 students with a certified expressive arts therapy designation. This program follows the guidelines of collaborative training programs recognized by the European Graduate School and meets both Canadian and international standards of expressive arts therapy training.
Students who graduate from these VATI programs may be eligible to obtain the additional qualification of registered therapeutic counsellor through the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists.
HISTORY OF VATI
DR. MARTIN A. FISCHER
In 1982, the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute was originally founded by Lois Woolf on the principles and teachings of Toronto psychiatrist, Dr. Martin A. Fischer; he first used art therapy in the 1940s when working with adults who had psychiatric challenges.
JULY 2002
In July 2002, the Advanced Diploma (our distance program) began. This program attracts local and international students with a Master’s degree from various fields including social work, counselling, education and fine arts. Some students incorporate art therapy into their current work practice, while others come in order to make a career change.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CONTACT
Vancouver Art Therapy Institute
#300 - 291 E. 2nd Ave.
Vancouver, BC V5T 1B8
Phone: 604-681-8284
Email: info@vati.bc.ca
Expressive Arts Therapy Contact
Email: heatherdawson@vati.bc.ca
Email: sabette@vati.bc.ca