Hi. I’m Chelsea (she/her) - an artist, creative, and educator. I am Filipino and was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. I grew up immersed in arts-based activities. When I was 4 years old, I began taking visual arts classes. Then, I began tap classes. Soon after at 5 years old I started ballet, which expanded to modern, jazz, contemporary, flamenco. I trained to become professional until the age of 17. During these years, I also explored drama, theatre, and spoken word poetry.    

Then, I attended The University of British Columbia where I studied English, Psychology, and Speech Sciences. After I graduated I went into education and began tutoring children and adolescents 1 to 1 with learning differences and those who are neurodiverse. After that, I worked in elementary schools as an Education Assistant. After over 10 years of experience working with children I decided to make a change. Then, I found the Expressive Arts Therapy program in 2020. 

After two years in the program, I graduated as a Certified Expressive Arts Therapist in 2022. Then I went on to working with women who are survivors of historical violence, intimate partner abuse, substance use and addictions.    

In addition to being certified to practice Expressive Arts Therapy I am also a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT).