ABOUT/CONTACT
SUMMARY:
Katarina Thorsen (Kat) is an art therapist specializing in at-risk youth with a variety of issues including behavioral challenges, learning disabilities, substance abuse and mental health. Kat’s own artwork includes drawing, painting, journaling, sock animals as well as a Graphic Novel based on her research into a historical Vancouver murder mystery. She is passionate about the therapeutic power of art.
Kat is a true inspiration – talented, driven, compassionate, caring. She’s been an angel to my son – was the art therapist at his school but she’s spreading her wings – watch this woman soar. Better yet – get close up and fly w/ her! - Laura Mack
CONTACT KATARINA: Email
–
Sock Monkeys are more than toys- they are healers. A way of life. A philosophy.
Katarina Thorsen (Kat) was born in Karlstad, Sweden. She initially came to Canada in 1968, moving back and forth between the two countries until finally settling in North Vancouver with her parents and siblings in 1977. She graduated from Carson Graham Senior Secondary and has a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia in Biological Sciences. Kat raised two children while pursuing her visual art career and professional development. Her post-graduate studies include fine arts, psychology, special education (autism, behavioral challenges, juvenile justice), behavioral evidence analysis (criminal profiling) and restorative justice. Kat worked with the Vancouver chapter ofCircles of Support and Accountability (community support for high risk sex offenders) in 2005 and was the art therapist at Burnaby Youth Custody Centre from 2006 to 2008 where she built a very popular program. Kat was the full-time art therapist at Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary School from February 2008 to June 2011.
Kat is now expanding her art therapy program into the community through art events and freelance art therapy. She plans to continue to provide one-on-one and group sessions specializing in clientele with a variety of issues including social anxiety, behavioral challenges, learning disabilities, substance abuse and mental health. Kat’s mission is to provide the opportunity for a reparative and holding experience in a safe and creative space in which the client can take advantage of the opportunity to make art, express self, and deal with unresolved conflicts and feelings.
The goal of Kat’s art therapy is to raise self-esteem and self-empowerment while developing self-advocacy skills. Kat encourages “freedom through responsibility” allowing free expression and community respect. Art Therapy includes painting, drawing, quilting, graffiti, art history, photography, animation, watercolor tattooing and the very popular sock animal making. The program is also expanding to provide at-risk youth with skill training in arts and crafts and the opportunity to sell their work as a source of income.
Kat’s own artwork (drawing, painting, quilting, journaling) can be found in private collections in Canada, USA and Sweden. Kat is passionate about the therapeutic power of art and has worked with all ages (children to adult). Though her main focus is at-risk youth, she is currently expanding her interactive art events and creativity workshops for adults. Kat is passionate about blogging and creating her own “Post Street Sock Creations. She is currently working on a Graphic Novel based on her research into a historical Vancouver murder mystery.
Together we can increase participation in the arts.
Photo by Julia Kozlov
On May 3, 2010 Katarina (Kat) Thorsen received the City of North Vancouver 2010 Civic Youth Award: Outstanding Supporter of Youth.
To read the North Shore News article on Operation Sock Monkey, Western Division, go to: NSN ARTICLE
–
3 Responses to “ABOUT/CONTACT”