Kutenai Art Therapy Institute


The Kutenai Art Therapy Institute is dedicated to the belief that the creative process is healing and life enhancing. We offer a comprehensive, two year post-baccalaureate diploma program in Art Therapy which integrates Art Therapy theory, practice, and research. We emphasize a cross-cultural orientation to Art Therapy and sensitivity to the therapeutic needs of rural communities.


Kutenai Art Therapy Institute became registered under the Society Act, February 14, 1995 and on April 1, 1995 the Certificate of Registration for a Private Post-Secondary Institution was granted. It is a non-profit society governed by a Board of Directors. Kutenai Art Therapy Institute was granted an Accreditation Certificate with the PPSEC (now PCTIA) on July 1, 2000.

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The Kutenai Art Therapy Institute is a private post-secondary institution which began its diploma program in January 1995. The Institute is modeled on Dr. Martin A. Fischer's method of training art therapists. This method emphasizes the importance of the student engaging in a deep personal exploration through the process of art therapy and dream work. Dr. Fischer (1914-1992) was a Toronto psychiatrist and pioneer of Art Therapy in Canada. Monica Carpendale, Director of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, trained at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute with Lois Woolf, Talia Garber, and Dr. Martin A. Fischer.

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Art Therapy utilizes the healing and self-reflective aspects of the creative process to address issues across the whole spectrum of human conditions. Art Therapy is used in therapeutic treatment, prevention and rehabilitation and can be valuable when working with children, adolescents and adults. The visual and plastic arts have the advantage that they by-pass the often highly defended secondary process of language and permit direct expression of dreams, fantasies, fears and other inner experiences. Art Therapy has a firm basis in psychodynamic theory and development psychology. It uses art and the creative process to therapeutically explore and reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, develop social skills, solve problems, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem.

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The Kutenai Art Therapy Institute is located in Nelson, British Columbia. Nelson is a small city in the southern interior of the province. Beautifully situated on the west arm of Kootenay Lake in the Selkirk mountains, this area is a haven for outdoor recreation and nature enthusiasts. The city is renowned for its well-preserved heritage architecture. Home to a large number of artists, writers, and craftspeople, Nelson is culturally rich. For more information on Nelson, visit: www.ilovenelson.com