About Lisa Nackan
“I feel extremely privileged that the work I do combines three of my greatest passions: the creative process(art and writing), psychology, and social activism (community work)”
Lisa has always been driven by a burning to desire to help others and to propagate for meaningful change in the world. Art Therapy provides the perfect medium for her to help others by combining her skills as a compassionate and empathetic listener; her creative talents as an artist and writer; and her passion for justice and equity.
Lisa studied Art Therapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. Prior to that, she attained her Bachelor of Arts majoring in Industrial Psychology from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, and began her Honours in Creative Writing from York University, Toronto.
Lisa is committed to ongoing professional development and collaboration with other art and narrative therapy professionals. She participated in the 2010 International Summer School of Narrative Practice in Toronto, Canada, co-hosted by Dulwich Centre, Australia, Narrative Therapy Centre of Toronto and Oolagen Community Services and presented on both the Baycrest Project and her Art Therapy work on Anaphylaxis and Anxiety. Lisa has also begun fulfilling hours in the specialized training of Sandplay Therapy.
Lisa has always passionately involved herself in community initiatives, volunteer and charitable activities. Notable initiatives include: co-founding the African Oracle Support Group – a not-for–profit organization providing education and support on issues of racism and apartheid; Project Magic- a collaboration between professional magicians and therapists to teach magic as therapy to aid recovery and increase esteem (brain injury, arthritis); and Anaphylaxis Canada – writer for newsletter, ardent activist and office volunteer.
She has written and published poetry, has completed two novels (still to be published), is a successful entrepreneur with a home-based business creating custom gifts and is married with three children.
Lisa Nackan BA DTATI
Thornhill, Ontario
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Work Experience
ArtCity
Planned, implemented and facilitated Art Therapy programme for immigrant children
Baycrest Project
Multifaceted project combining artwork, multi-media and education centred around life
experiences of Holocaust survivors related through the eyes of Grade 6 students
BOOST
Family Art Therapy sessions to allow mother and children to reconnect and focus on
positive attributes after a long history of abuse
Drewry Secondary School
Students – multiple exceptionality, developmental delay, physical / hearing disability
Plan, implement and run groups successfully with fellow student, (one-on-one where
necessary), issues such as communication, gender, disability, grief and loss
Gardiner Ceramics Museum/Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic Project
Collaborative Art Therapy Project with Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic and
Gardiner Ceramics Museum for woman who have experienced violence/abuse/trauma
Giving voice to experiences through clay, culminating in a public art exhibition
Neighbourhood Diaries
Collaboration with local artists and writers to empower inner city youth to share their
stories
The resultant multi-media exhibition was at Harbourfront Centre
Rainbow of Hope Camp
Planned, implemented and co-facilitated art therapy programme for children who have
experienced trauma and/or abuse
Sir Maximilian Kolbe Catholic School
Planned, implemented and co-facilitated weekly Art Therapy group for Grade 9 students
In a specialized special-needs class (learning disabled, vision impaired students)
Thornhill Woods Primary School – Art Therapy Group for Children with Anaphylaxis
Planned and facilitated group on Anaphylaxis and Anxiety
Implemented “anaphylaxis through the eyes of a child” exhibit at York Central Hospital
and Sick Kids Hospital to create awareness and broaden understanding of Anaphylaxis
Wellsprings Cancer Centre, Niagara
Open Art Therapy group for cancer patients in all stages of disease/recovery
