For individuals addressing trauma, finding the right therapeutic path is crucial for healing.
Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies provides specialized expressive arts, art, and music therapy services in Saskatoon, designed to help clients build capacity and improve their mental and emotional health. The practice focuses on creative, evidence-informed methods that offer alternatives to traditional talk therapy, creating a safe space for recovery and personal growth.
With a commitment to professional guidance, the team helps individuals access their innate ability to change and enhance their quality of life.
The practice’s approach is particularly effective for those who find it difficult to articulate their experiences verbally. By incorporating creative processes, Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies offers some of the best expressive therapies for individuals addressing trauma, fostering healing through non-verbal and sensory-based modalities.
How Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies Started
The foundation of Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies is built on the extensive expertise of its founder, Tanya Negrey. Her qualifications provide the clinical direction for the practice, anchored by a Masters of Arts in art therapy from the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago, recognized as one of North America's most rigorous programs.
Tanya also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Saskatchewan, blending artistic practice with a deep understanding of human behavior.
Tanya's professional background is both varied and dynamic. She has dedicated many years to serving as an art therapist for children and youth in First Nations communities, including Muskoday First Nation and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.
Her experience also includes providing mental health support in schools, residential youth care, and substance use programs.
This deep community involvement and her mentorship from leading experts like Dr. Cathy Malchiodi have shaped the practice's trauma-informed and client-centered philosophy. Tanya is also trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a specialized psychotherapy for processing traumatic memories.
Best Expressive Therapies for Individuals Addressing Trauma
Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies utilizes a range of creative modalities that are part of a therapeutic group developed over the last century.
Research indicates that for individuals with severe trauma or poor verbal memory, art therapy can be a promising treatment because it reflects the often wordless and visual nature of traumatic memories. It allows thoughts and feelings to emerge through imagery, color, and shape that might otherwise be difficult to express.
Music therapy is another core service, stimulating various brain regions to promote healing. Studies cited by institutions like Ohio University show that music can influence brain chemistry by increasing dopamine and reducing cortisol, engaging areas involved in attention, memory, and emotional processing. This makes it a powerful tool for self-regulation and stress reduction.
The services at Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies are built on these principles and include:
- Art Therapy: Combines the creative process with psychotherapy to express thoughts and feelings through visual media.
- Music Therapy: Uses music and its elements to support the development of communication, mental health, and emotional well-being.
- Psychotherapy: Also known as talk therapy, this service helps clients learn about their moods and how thoughts and emotions affect behavior.
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): A specialized, evidence-based approach that guides clients to replace distressing images associated with trauma with positive ones.
What Makes Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies Different
Several key factors distinguish the therapeutic services offered by Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies. The practice is not just a collection of services but a thoughtfully integrated approach to mental wellness, particularly for trauma survivors.
According to research from the National Institutes of Health, modalities like music therapy are effective in enhancing emotional regulation, reducing stress, and strengthening coping skills.
The unique strengths of Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies include:
- Extensive Experience: The practice states it has over 20 years of experience providing credentialed expressive arts and therapy services in the Saskatoon area.
- Multidisciplinary Team: Clients benefit from the collective knowledge of a diverse team that includes Art Therapists, Music Therapists, a Social Worker, a Mental Health Consultant, and Counsellors.
- Specialized Trauma-Informed Care: A primary differentiator is the focus on highly specialized therapies, most notably Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), designed specifically for processing trauma effectively.
- Tailored Therapeutic Solutions: The practice offers customized support through individual sessions, closed groups for specific issues, community art-making events, and topic-based workshops.
Who Works With Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies
The client base of Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies is broad, serving children, youth, adults, and older adults seeking alternative and effective mental health support. The practice has a strong background in community engagement, with dedicated experience providing therapy to children and youth within First Nations communities.
This work involves not only direct therapy but also mental health strategy planning in consultation with community leaders.
Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies is a resource for individuals navigating a wide range of challenges. The team is equipped to help with trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, grief and loss, and ADHD. Their approach is particularly beneficial for marginalized people, including members of the 2SLGBTQ community, refugees, and new Canadians, who may find creative expression a more accessible path to healing than traditional talk therapy.
The availability of tailored workshops also makes the practice a valuable partner for community groups and agencies seeking to provide mental health resources.
The Value of Choosing Tanya Negrey & Associates
For trauma survivors in and around Saskatoon, Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies offers a path to healing that is both creative and grounded in clinical expertise. The practice’s multidisciplinary team, specialized trauma therapies like ART, and deep community roots provide a supportive and effective environment for recovery.
Choosing this practice means engaging with credentialed professionals who understand that healing is not always a verbal process. Learn more about their therapeutic approach and discover how creativity can facilitate growth and change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of qualifications do the therapists have?
Therapists at the practice are highly credentialed. Founder Tanya Negrey holds a Master of Arts in Art Therapy. The practice's practitioners are affiliated with professional bodies such as the Canadian Art Therapy Association and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, ensuring adherence to high ethical and professional standards.
Is expressive arts therapy only for people who are good at art?
Not at all. At Tanya Negrey & Associates, expressive arts therapy is designed for everyone, regardless of artistic skill or experience. The focus of our sessions is on the creative process and personal expression as a means of exploration and healing, not on the aesthetic quality of the final product. No prior talent is required to benefit from these services.
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a unique, evidence-based psychotherapy offered by Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies. It is designed to help individuals who have experienced trauma by using guided eye movements to help the brain reprocess distressing memories. The goal is to replace negative images and sensations with positive ones of the client's choosing in a relatively short number of sessions.
Who can benefit from therapy at Tanya Negrey & Associates?
A wide range of individuals can benefit, including children, youth, adults, and older adults. The practice helps people dealing with issues such as trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, ADHD, and challenges with healthy relationships. They also provide support for specific communities, including First Nations and 2SLGBTQ individuals.
