/Sandra's bio

Sandra Hewitt-Parsons is an art psychotherapist, published author and founder of Safe Harbour Expressive Therapies. The first art psychotherapist on the west coast of Newfoundland, she specializes in trauma-informed recovery for individuals who struggle with stress-related mental health issues. As a childhood stroke survivor, Sandra personally knows the healing power of creativity. Using a client centered body-focused approach, Sandra helps people discover their voice when it's difficult to find the words to describe feelings, thoughts or past experiences.

Education

Art Therapy Masters                                                                                    Sep 2012 - May 2015

Kutenai Art Therapy Institute • Nelson, British Columbia, Canada           

Included 1500 hours of practicum training with seniors, teens, children and people with severe and persistent mental health challenges. Graduated with honours (with thesis component).
 

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Honours)                                                  Sep 2007 - May 2011

Grenfell Campus, Memorial University • Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada          

Completed Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honours (with thesis component).

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Specialities

• Trauma-informed care

• PTSD

• Grief and loss

• Anxiety

• Child development

Skills and Certifications

• Trauma Tapping Certification (Peaceful Heart Network) – January 2021

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

• Mental health first aid Certificate

• Registered with the Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapists of Canada (ACNN)

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Other Experience
Guest Lecturer and Conference Presenter

Guest lecturer and presenter at various conferences and educational institutions since 2006, including:

• Memorial University of Newfoundland (Grenfell Campus, St. John’s campus)

• NSCAD (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

• Kwantlen Polytechnical Institute (Richmond, British Columbia)

• Artabilitation Conference (Esbjerg, Denmark)

• Various Canadian Art Therapy annual conferences

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Regional representative

• FACT-NL – Canadian Art Therapy Association representative for Newfoundland and Labrador

• Provincial Creative Art Therapies Working Group (West coast representative)

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Canadian Art Therapy Association Committees

• Served on various national committees since 2012

• Current national advocacy chair

• Upcoming conference committee chair of the Canadian Art Therapy Association National Conference, Corner Brook, Newfoundland (October 2021)

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