Hi! I'm Rubi.

I am an art therapist, art maker, and outdoor adventurer. I feel the most inspired and resourceful when I’m exploring in nature or making messes in my art studio.

woman smiling and holding a bear puppet

Rubi Garyfalakis,
DTATI, RP, RCAT

Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Canadian Art Therapist

I share a deep connection with children. As the oldest in my family, I grew up acutely aware of those littler than me and enjoyed supporting them in self discovery. Roles I have proudly filled include reading buddy, camp counsellor, art instructor, and nanny.

 

It’s the intense sensitivity of childhood that resonates with me. I am a highly sensitive person and I feel things deeply. I understand childhood as wonderful but also incredibly difficult. Problems feel big and scary. Monsters exist. But so does magic. Hope is boundless, and so is disappointment.

 

I take kids’ feelings seriously. And in a world that often feels difficult, I also understand how important it is to play and be silly.

 

I still love doing the same things that I loved as a kid. These include reading stories about pirates, collecting plastic animals, going on treasure hunts, taking nature walks, playing with puppets, dressing up, and visiting the public library.

flat lay of antique compass, art supplies, vintage stamps, plastic toy rabbits, leaves

From the Wilderness to the Art Room

 

This is me, age 8, in my happy place at Rock Lake.

My favourite childhood memories are of camping with my family. For me, camping represents the intersection of nature and creativity. It’s the ultimate challenge of using what you have to make what you need. All you have is what you’ve packed and whatever you may find in the natural environment. As challenges come up you have to adapt, inspiring invention and ingenuity. I watched my parents’ creativity and playfulness come to life when we were camping. It forever inspired me.  

 

This same feeling of adventure, discovery, and problem solving is what I experience through art making. It’s why I like to use found objects, recycled materials, and paper bits in my art. I like the challenge of working with something that already exists.

 

I find the process to be incredibly hopeful. It’s a reminder that I have the power to create change. If I can change things in my artwork, then I can also change my thoughts, my feelings, and my actions.

My Approach to Art Therapy

smiling woman with long red hair and green eyes

In my work as an art therapist, I draw on the experiences that have taught me about my resourcefulness and made me feel empowered. This is why nature, art making, and art therapy are connected for me.

I think of the art therapy process as an adventure of self discovery. My role is to offer a space where my clients feel free to explore and make their own discoveries through creative problem solving.

Clients can expect me to be their witness, their cheerleader and, sometimes, their helper.

I am warm, gentle, and soft-spoken. I won’t push you to do something before you feel ready. But I will approach things creatively and with sensitive curiosity. I will get excited about your inherent awesomeness, and I will share with you what I notice. You don’t have to talk unless you want to.

Since creativity can help us with problem solving, I will invite you to participate in art or play as part of your therapy. My role is to support you in your process. Sometimes I will be an encouraging observer, and other times I’ll jump in and get messy as we work together to create your vision.

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.