My name is Rubi Garyfalakis.
I’m a Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Canadian Art Therapist.
Resourceful Me Art Therapy is my private practice where I work with kids and their families, supporting them to creatively overcome difficulties.
I’m also an artist, an outdoor adventurer, a big sister, an oldest child, a highly sensitive person, a grown-up gifted kid, a craft fairy, and a firm believer in the everyday magic of creativity.
I feel the most like myself when I’m exploring in nature or making messes in the art room.
I share a strong connection with children and I take their feelings seriously.
In my work with kids, it is my own inner child who inspires and guides me. (Yep, that’s a blurry 90s photo of nine-year-old me in a tree).
As I bring curiosity towards my child clients, I honour my inner child by remembering how deeply she felt, how much she didn’t understand but felt too scared to ask, and how wise she was even when she didn’t know it was okay to listen to her own wisdom.
When I help kids find their power to stand up to anxiety, I share that knowledge with my inner child who had no clue what to do with her worries. Even though each session is completely for and about my client and what they need in the present moment, the process of sharing what I know now is healing for me too.
I also honour my inner child by practicing and delighting in the things that brought her joy: climbing trees, collecting plastic animals (along with all things mini), going on treasure hunts, taking nature walks, playing with puppets, dressing up, making weird stuff, and visiting the public library.
Art, play, and problem solving have always been connected for me.
As a child I loved using my toys to create stories. When my character became a princess and needed a crown, I would run to our craft cupboard and find bits and scraps so that I could make one. This was my favourite way to play.
I was privileged to grow up with two incredibly thrifty and creative parents who taught me that we can use what we have to make what we need. They enthusiastically supported my ideas and built on my emerging skills to help make my ideas a reality. Our family motto was “We can make that!”
Creativity was our superpower, and making things was how we joined together to solve problems and meet our needs.
Often artists will talk about their art medium (for example, some artists are oil painters). This never made sense to me, because my medium is whatever it takes to create the idea. If a project requires sewing, then I’ll learn to sew. And that’s how I’m always elbow-deep in a mess of all the art things!
My favourite art materials are upcycled objects - cardboard boxes, empty containers, old books, or a puzzle piece I found on the sidewalk. I LOVE starting with something that already exists, and turning it into something new and different. The transformative power of art is absolute magic. It’s a reminder that I can create change.
When I accidentally stumbled across art therapy while writing a research paper during my undergrad, suddenly my way of creative being made sense to me. It was like finding a framework that put words to my experience. Art therapy was about using all the art things, depending on the needs in the moment. It was about using creativity to solve problems. And it was a way to offer that same empowering experience to others.
From that moment I knew - art therapy was what I wanted to do! The next day I marched straight to my academic advisor’s office to change my major, and I haven’t looked back since.
Professional Experience
My approach to art therapy is based on my undergraduate training in art and psychology, and graduate training at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. I have been practicing art therapy with children, youth, and adults since 2012.
After working in schools, community centres, hospitals, day treatment programs, long term care, and private practice, I have found my mission: to help children and families discover their resourcefulness using the creative process.
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT) with the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA). I abide by the code of ethics and the standards of practice of both the CRPO and CATA. You are welcome to contact them if you have questions or would like more information.
Areas of Interest and Ongoing Learning
anxiety support for kids (with a focus on psychoeducation to help kids understand what’s happening for them and why, to make anxiety feel less scary, and to support kids in standing up to anxiety when it becomes too bossy)
strengths-based, neurodiversity affirming support for Autistic and neurodivergent kids (here’s looking at you ADHD’ers, gifted kids, and highly sensitive children!) I love learning from Learn Play Thrive and recently completed one of their professional development courses called “Understanding the Autistic Neurotype: A Deep Dive from an Autistic Psychologist” (February 2024)
Narrative therapy and how it compliments strengths-based art therapy. I have completed several professional development courses through the Windz Centre, most recently “Multi-Story Listening: What Are We Intentionally Listening For” (April 2022)