Lauren Kennedy
Expressive Arts Therapist in Training
My Background
I believe we all need to learn to listen deeply, beyond the words. Sometimes we sense or feel something before we are able to explain it. The arts can give us another way to explore those feelings and experiences, helping us notice what comes forward and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Through my years as a teacher and guidance counsellor, I have worked with young people navigating all kinds of challenges, emotions, relationships, and transitions. I believe deeply in the value of conversation and in what can happen when someone truly feels heard. For me, expressive arts therapy adds another dimension to that conversation.
The arts don’t replace words — they can help us find them. They offer a creative and sometimes playful way to explore what we are feeling, see things from a different perspective, and discover something about ourselves that we may not have noticed before.
I invite women and youth who are looking for a space to hear themselves more clearly — to explore, connect with what they need, and move toward greater understanding and healing.
I’m Lauren Kennedy, an Art Therapy & Psychotherapy Student at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. For more than 20 years, I have worked in education, including 15 years as a guidance counsellor supporting young people and families through emotional, social and mental-health challenges . I came to art therapy because I believe deeply that sometimes words simply aren’t enough. Creativity can give us another language.
I come to this work with a deep appreciation for the connection between our bodies, our senses, and how we experience the world around us. As someone who is hard of hearing, I have spent much of my life learning to listen in ways that go beyond spoken words — noticing expression, body language, emotion, and the things that are communicated without being said.
Click here to learn more about expressive arts therapy.
Harness the mind-body connection to create new pathways in your life.
At New Pathways Therapy Center, we believe therapy is a collaborative process. We don’t just sit back and listen. We look forward to supporting you on your journey towards healing, balance and growth.