Welcome to The Centre For Expressive Therapy, a place of retreat for those seeking healing and personal growth, a place of learning and rejuvenating for health care professionals.
![]() Just as every seed has within it a germ that holds the capacity and drive to grow toward the light and to become whatever plant is coded within its genes, it is my view that all human beings are born with the possibility and drive to not only survive, but to grow, flourish, and be whole. Marie-José Dhaese NEW Online Video Presentation
"The Art and Science of Holistic Expressive Play Therapy, an Integrative Approach to Healing Complex Trauma" |
Holistic Expressive Therapy is an integrative approach that takes into consideration the physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual needs of the client.
It was developed by Marie-José Dhaese to help individuals of all ages to cope with their challenges and to also learn and grow from them. In a warm, nurturing atmosphere that speaks to all the senses, Marie-José creatively integrates:
- Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual)
- Accidents, illness and hospitalization
- Attachment issues, foster care, adoption
- Autism spectrum
- Chronic pain
- Grief, loss, bereavement
- Life transitions (moves, employment change, menopause, retirement etc)
- Physical or mental challenges
- Separation and divorce
- Spiritual crisis
- Stress in the workplace
- Traumas of all types
- Withdrawn, overactive, controlling or aggressive behaviour
Expressive Therapy can address a variety of symptoms such as:
- Depression
- Fears
- Sleeping problems
Marie-José's co-therapist animal companion Dauphin assists both in the teaching and the therapy whenever his presence is thought to be helpful. Since 1980, Marie-José has had standard poodles co-therapists and has witnessed over and again, how they have brought soothing, comfort, reassurance and eased the distress of adults and children alike.
Counselling is available for individuals of all ages.
Please click here for information on Counselling Services
Counselling options include:
Counselling for Adults
Counselling for Children
Healing Retreats
Therapy for Therapists
The Centre for Expressive Therapy is an accredited facility offering unique learning opportunities that may earn professionals credit toward their educational goals (registration as a play therapist with BCPTA, certification as a child and play therapist with CAPT). The small size of the workshops (8 participants maximum) allows for safe, intensive and individualized learning. Workshops, consultation and personal/professional development are available for those in the helping professions, including:
Training options include:
Intensive seminars
Individualized Seminars
Personal/Professional Development Retreats
Consultation and Supervision
Workshops in Other Locations
Please click here for further information on Services for Therapists offered at the Centre.
Training and counselling can be conducted in French or in English.