About
We’re Not Just Talking — We’re Creating Space
Tidewaters was born out of a belief that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all — and that therapy doesn’t need to feel like a clinical Q&A.
Art therapy gives us a way to speak through shape, colour, image, and story — even (or especially) when words fall short.​
Whether you're here to navigate anxiety, grief, burnout, identity, or just the wild complexity of being a person in this world — we're here to meet you with compassion, curiosity, and creativity.
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Tidewaters is an online art therapy practice rooted in values of equity, accessibility, and emotional safety. We are expression-affirming, trauma-informed, and here for your full, unfiltered self.
Art Therapist and Program Creator
Hi, I’m Chari — a registered psychotherapist (qualifying), professional art therapist, and registered therapeutic counsellor. I was born and raised in Alberta, and I believe deeply in the power of creativity, connection, and our own ability to heal — even through the hardest parts of life.
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Therapy, to me, isn’t about fixing you. It’s about sitting together in the truth of what’s happening, using art and conversation to explore, and gently finding the way back to yourself. I’m here to walk beside you in that process — at your pace, in your way.
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A Bit More About Me
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I'm a mother, wife, daughter, and friend. I live with my family, our red heeler, cockatiel, ragdoll, and frenchton in Water Valley, Alberta. Outside of therapy, I love paddleboarding, biking, homeschooling our kids, gardening, reading, and slowly learning what it means to grow (and fail at growing!) our own food.
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I hold a Master’s level degree from the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, and currently serve as a board member on the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute Association, contributing to several subcommittees focused on education and ethics. I’ve also published written work about art and healing, and continue to explore how creativity offers insight, safety, and transformation.
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Why Tidewaters?
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The name Tidewaters came from my graduate research, where I explored the ocean as metaphor — a powerful, ever-changing space that reflects so much of the human experience. Healing isn’t linear. It moves like tides: in and out, slow and fast, calm and stormy.
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A professor once shared a Blackfoot Elder’s teaching with me: “Tears keep the heart soft.” That wisdom stays with me. At Tidewaters, all parts of your story are welcome — not just the parts that smile.
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We honor grief, rage, confusion, numbness, silence — because they all carry messages. And we work together to listen.
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Cultural Roots & Responsibility
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I carry Polish and Ojibwe ancestry — both lineages that hold beauty and deep pain. Reconnecting with these parts of myself has been both hard and healing, and it continues to shape how I show up in this work.
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I am committed to growing a practice that is culturally humble, trauma-aware, and rooted in the principle of doing no harm. The concept of walking in a good way — with seven generations in mind — guides many of the choices behind how Tidewaters is structured and offered. This is lifelong work, and I continue to learn every day.
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Let’s Connect
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Whether you’re curious, hesitant, or just exploring, I offer a free 30-minute meet & greet to see if this space feels like a good fit for you. You're welcome to email me or use the contact button below to get started or ask any questions you may have.
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There’s no pressure — just a chance to connect, and breathe a bit easier.
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