Kimberly Hetherington

Kimberly is an art therapist and a meditation teacher living in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

I believe in the power of creative expression to foster connection, insight, and joy. It’s a privilege to witness how art and counselling can help people make meaning, find clarity, and reconnect with themselves.

From a young age I’ve been interested in human behaviour. My childhood was spent absorbing and witnessing different cultures and landscapes. I was born in Vancouver and raised in Pakistan, Egypt, Ghana, Jamaica, and Ukraine. These formative years instilled in me a deep appreciation for diversity, art, and human connection. During my early twenties I moved to China and then to Australia, where I studied transpersonal art therapy and meditation facilitation. I have finally returned to my birthplace with my husband and our two daughters.

My Approach to Therapy

My art therapy practice is rooted in compassion, creativity, and a deep respect for each person’s inner world. I draw on a blend of theoretical approaches that support emotional healing, meaning-making, and self-discovery through art. Jungian Psychology is a major aspect of my work. I believe in the wisdom of the unconscious and the power of imagery. Inspired by Jungian ideas, I often use symbols, dreams, and spontaneous art to help clients connect with deeper parts of themselves and find meaning in their experiences. I also incorporate Transpersonal Art Therapy which honours the spiritual and creative dimensions of healing. I see art-making as a bridge to something greater than ourselves, whether that’s a sense of inner peace, connection, or transformation during times of grief and transition.

A big part of who I am, and the reason I work in art therapy, is because of my sister, Elizabeth. On October 13th, 2013 my sister died of suicide. Her loss pierced through the layers of beliefs and foundations on which I saw the world. It led me on a journey towards understanding my own mortality and seeking answers through therapy and spirituality.

I know firsthand that grief, trauma, and questions of meaning can’t always be spoken. Sometimes, they need to be painted, drawn, moved, or simply witnessed in a safe and accepting space. That’s what I hope to offer in my practice: a space where your story can unfold in its own time, through your own language, whether that’s spoken or unspoken.

Discovering Art Therapy

I’ve been on a harrowing and painful journey through grief which ultimately led to a career in art therapy. In many ways, it feels like it found me. My sister was also a gifted artist and I believe my work pays tribute to her life. I know she would have loved art therapy. If only we’d known more about it at the time.

Art in all of its forms can be a powerful tool for processing emotions, reducing anxiety, and increasing feelings of connection. Loneliness and isolation is an epidemic in our modern lives. I believe our innate ability for creativity can be a powerful form of healing.

I don’t see what I do now as work or a career, but more as a life purpose. Everything I went through brought me exactly where I am today. Although it’s not the journey I wanted, I’m grateful for every part of it for making me the person I am today.  

Qualifications

Blog posts

Memento Mori

It’s strange how death is so taboo in our society. Death is a part of life, a part we can’t escape. It doesn’t matter who you are, death does not discriminate. Why can’t we talk about something we will all face? Why do we hide it?

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