CiiAT - Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy
Uncategorized
Pansexual Day

Pansexual Day

An important part of being a proponent of any group or organization, is staying informed. For those of you who are uninformed about pansexuality, here's a few quick facts provided by the LGBT Foundation: "Pan means ‘all’, and is related to words like panorama. This...

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International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia Biphobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia Biphobia

Join our team at CiiAT, today, to celebrate The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT)! Our team believes that every human is equal, and under no circumstance do we tolerate homophobia or discrimination. ✊ IDAHOT strives to commemorate...

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ARTshops

Engaging, practical, arts-based workshops called ARTshops!

Keynotes

Interactive, Informative & Impactful Keynote Presentations

Training

Professional and para-professional skill development

Graphic Recording

Visually capturing and communicating key learning

Facilitating Change, Creatively!

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  • Creative, interactive workshops, involving ‘Cringe Free’ activities
  • Experiential learning for teams to explore and discover realistic approaches
  • ARTshops are designed for 5-105 year olds and for intimate groups of 12 people to a room bursting with 500 people!

Keynotes

  • Empowering, thought-provoking presentations, set in a foundation of useful tools for professionals
  • Validates current situations, promotes self-care and team-care, and explores future possibilities
  • Encourages both self-reflection and dialogue

Training

  • Integrating creative tools to engage clients more meaningfully
  • Clinical supervision for marriage and family therapists, art therapists and expressive arts therapists
  • Graphic recording, facilitation and visual communications training

Graphic Recording

  • Powerful, dynamic murals created on–site, live, during your conference, meeting, or retreat
  • Design and communicate strategy
  • Generate big picture thinking for groups

Unfolding Solutions is a team of professionals, who have joined forces to provide you with the most creative, engaging, and experiential learning experience.

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I am dedicated to a creative life and love to facilitate creativity, growth and innovation in others.  I am trained as an art therapist, marriage and family therapist, and graphic facilitator, with twenty five years of experience working with groups, organizations, and individuals.

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read more..." style="fancy"] For many years, I  specialized in working with private and public sector agencies to improve supervision, performance and morale for clinicians, educators and home visitors dealing with complicated clients. Reflective practices and arts-based processes are among my primary tools.

I also practice the innovative use of graphic recording and visual facilitation in meetings, conferences and visioning sessions. This technique has garnered attention in the high-tech industry as well as in community and organizational engagement efforts.

Credentials include a Fellowship from Harvard Children's Hospital in Infant mental Health, a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California (MFT 36136), a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) , and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) in North America. I am eligible to work in both Canada and the United States.

[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Cheryl Ann Webster

Cheryl Ann Webster

Creative Speaker

Although my childhood was far from ideal and my naive decisions have had life-long consequences, my journey has been rich in lessons and experiences. Indeed it has been a journey that has taken me from a little girl silenced, to an award-winning artist and speaker.

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read more..." style="fancy"] Growing-up I was silenced by the belief that “little girls should be seen and not heard” so I kept quiet. Art became my voice, as I began to silently sketch my innermost thoughts and feelings, and through my art, make sense of my life. Over time, I studied what had shaped me, who had influenced me, what was in my control, and what I needed to do to thrive!

I am not sure when I fully realized I was in control of changing my situation, but I do remember starting to make the most of my limited resources, rather than focusing on what I didn’t have. In retrospect, I was actually following a process I now call ART – Awareness, Resilience and Transformational which guided me out of the darkness, and into the life I love.

I now smile when I am introduced as an award-winning speaker and artist, with a glowing list of awards & qualifications on my resume. I smile not in a boastful way but in an empowered way – as I am living proof that we can heal, grow and achieve. Today, I use my spoken words to empower the audience, and my creative expressions and art exhibitions as the backdrop for interactive, experiential learning.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

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Facilitator, coach, trainer and management consultant, support strategic change and organization development are what keep Bert busy these days.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler title="Read more..." style="fancy"]He is a systems thinker who is strong at facilitating dynamic conversations that assess the current reality and inspire and support a shift to a desired future. He has facilitated many teams through strategic planning and strategy execution, has coached leaders individually and in peer groups, and has guided people through change.

Bert developed his professional fundamentals over thirty years with a diverse client base which gives him a strong ability to help teams and managers navigate the the toughest of challenges. He brings professional knowledge and real-world experience and applications, which he shares with his clients.

Bert's passion is to make a difference in his clients' lives. He has a life-long interest in socially responsible organizations as a vehicle for personal growth and fulfillment and as the basic building block for healthy communities. He is inspired by helping clients to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. Bert thrives when he is working with individuals who are committed to team success. "If my clients aren't interested in improvement or are sabotaging each other's efforts, then I want to move on. Life's too short. I am passionate about working with people who see themselves as change agents and are driven by a passion bigger than themselves."

Bert takes on leadership roles in the community. He has served as a Director in the Air & Waste Management Association, a Director in the American Marketing Association, and has been Chair of the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of British Columbia.

Bert operates in his profession like he played basketball; with a love for the game, creativity, teamwork, skill, and fun. "When playing basketball, I always got more of a thrill from making a great pass to set up a teammate than I got from scoring, myself. I tried to create situations that played to my teammates' strengths. This is still what I do as a facilitator for strategic change: to help teams to collaborate so they can achieve their desired future.[/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

Lauren Nackman

Lauren Nackman

Strategist

Lauren Nackman has 20 years’ experience in public and not-for-profit agencies managing service delivery programs and transformation projects.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler title="Read more..." style="fancy"]Early in her career she worked as a front-line program manager in employment services. She has been a successful program manager; developing and implementing innovative programs to serve diverse populations which include at-risk youth, individuals with disabilites, long term public aid recipients as well as laid off manufacturing workers.

Lauren has also worked in the private sector for the management consulting firm, Accenture, in their government service line. In these roles she managed the communications and change management required to implement a new welfare and foster care benefits system for almost 3000 users. This work included business process analysis, planning for process changes, and guiding the communications and training for both staff and leadership. After leaving the private sector Lauren returned to government with the State of California's Legislative Analysts office. There on behalf of the Legislature, she provided research and recommendations for the areas of Child Welfare, Foster Care, Employment programs, and Child Care Licensing and quality. She regularly testified on policy and fiscal recommendations before policy and budget sub-committees of the Legislature.

Most recently Lauren has guided the development of a major system and business transformation for the Ministry of Social Development and Innovation and works currently advising on and implementing performance monitoring plans and evaluation for a program serving youth with disabilities. Lauren received her Master's Degree in Social Policy Analysis (Urban Planning) from the University of California, Los Angeles.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

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Our passion for creative expression flows from the stage and the classroom during all of our engagements with you.  We use simple materials and processes enabling you and your teams to explore and express complex dynamics in a simple, non-threatening and safe manner.

All sessions are designed specifically for your event and the needs of the audience and agenda – be it a few hours or a few days!

What are ARTshops?

  • Creative, interactive workshops, involving ‘Cringe Free’ activities
  • Experiential learning for teams to explore and discover realistic approaches and assess the processing styles of each its members.
  • Rather than fitting the tools to the individual, the individual discovers and brings their personal strengths to be used as tools for the team. Team members can then shift within teams to assist in more creative problem solving and produce creation.
  • ARTshops are designed for 5-105 year old’s and for intimate groups of 12 people to a room bursting with 500 people!

Sample ARTshops include:

Be the Art or the Artist
Recognition of potential & control of your life

We are all influenced and shaped by our experiences and encounters. Our lives come to resemble a beautiful painting, with many layers, textures and colours. Great stories emerge.  But in the creation of the painting, who held the brush? Who sketched the design? Are you the artwork or are you the artist?

This ARTshop positively explores who and what has influenced us and who’s expectations we strive to reach. No matter who held the brush in your painting you will see how to take control and add new layers, colours and textures to the painting. Discover the 6 key factors for taking control of your life, and living it by your design.

Understand the 'T' in change
Managing Transformation

Logically we know change is a natural and essential process in our everyday life, yet we may find the process to be uncomfortable, confusing and stressful. Sometimes, we seek out change and are filled with excitement at the new possibilities.

Understanding the ‘T’ in Change explores how the process of invited and uninvited change affects you, your team and your community. Appreciate the power of transformation and learn
how to manage transformative steps in a healthy and productive manner!

Mosaic Masterpiece
Create a Happy & Productive Team

Explore the dynamics of your team by discovering and appreciating the unique and varied personality styles.

Creatively connect the best fitting pieces together while valuing the glue that holds them in place.

Uncover potential, celebrate passion and skill while guiding your team to observe both the big picture as well as the details, the short- term goals and the long - term rewards.

Paint by Numbers
Clarifying Goals & Action Steps

When each team member seems to be heading in a different direction but believes they are working together to achieve the same goal, the Paint by Numbers ARTshop will help.

Bring the whole team together for this ARTshop to show them your vision, through words, imagery and discussion.

As the team sees your vision as clearly as you do, they will be able to create the action steps and time line so that the steps to success will be as simple as painting by numbers.

Self-portrait
Knowing and Accepting You

This ARTshop is designed specifically for women’s wellness groups. Self-portrait is an opportunity to explore the authentic you in a highly personal and creative manner.

Be it a face cast or body cast, you will be able to discover more of your authentic self and introduce her to the many roles you already fulfill in life.

Being more authentically you lowers stress and inner conflict, allows for more self- acceptance, and encourages you to be your own best advocate and promoter.

Your workshops provided powerful lessons to show the women that, no matter where they have been, with self-acceptance, they can set goals and make positive changes in their lives.
LAURIE SKYVINGTON

Manager, TRANSITIONAL SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

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Empowering, thought-provoking presentations, set in a foundation of useful skill development for professionals. CherylAnn Webster is our keynote speaker.

Cheryl-Ann found her speaking career at a safari park with a python around her neck!  After entertaining and informing a diverse audience 5 times a day, 7 days a week, she became adept at tailoring her delivery to lift the spirits of the audience on a rainy day and spark the interest of even the most disgruntled guests dragged along on a family outing as well as reacting and responding in a heartbeat if the animals on stage refused to stay on script. Needless to say, her time as a snake handler cemented her speaking career!

Since her time at the safari park, Cheryl-Ann has developed her presentations to help people of all ages better understand their self-worth, shift their perspective and acceptance of those they share their lives with, and empower her audience to take steps each day to create their best personal and professional life.

Cheryl-Ann has spoken at more than 350 events since gaining her professional status with the Canadian Association of Profession Speakers in 2008.

Sample Keynotes include:

ART to Life
This is both an inspirational and informative introductory talk, about art as an important mode of expression and ART (Awareness. Resilience. Transformation) as a process in which to live by.

The ART to Life talk is specifically designed for groups that do not have the resources for a full keynote presentation.

This talk is highly visual and as such Cheryl-Ann can provide AV equipment suitable for a room hosting a maximum of 40 people.

HARTbeat - How Art Saved my Life
From the streets to the studio and then to the stage, HARTbeat is a story of transformation, an inspiring presentation about courage and hope entwined with transformational and applicable life lessons suitable for an adult audience.

HARTbeat is a keynote presentation that can be adapted for 45 mins or 90 mins agenda.  With a longer agenda including more audience participation in the form of self reflection and simple ‘cringe free’ activities.

HARTbeat works well as an opening Keynote with follow up break out ARTshops in which smaller groups can explore and express what creates their life.

Celebrating Beautiful YOU!
Celebrating Reality, Empowering Change

Cheryl-Ann Webster’s award-winning Beautiful Women Project has highlighted how our body image and self -esteem are intrinsically linked to how we live every aspect of our life!

Celebrating Beautiful You explores intergenerational messages, media influences and the power of self-talk to raise self awareness.  In-your- seat activities will help participants recognize
their resilience to negative forces and the 120 sculptures (either shown in slides or exhibited on site), open a dialogue to transforming how we and the ones we love can celebrate our natural beauty and live healthier and happier lives.

This keynote presentation is highly adaptable to best suit the specific needs of the audience and agenda.

SHE - Shaping You, Shaping Your Life
Crafting a happier & healthier life begins with how you See the world around you, what you Hear from your inside voice and exploring everlasting ways to Encourage yourself.

This reflective keynote presentation has been most impactful with women experiencing a Mid-life Check-in; the stage in life where women re-evaluate many aspects of their current situation.

SHE allows for individual evaluation, discovery of inner strength and planning of transformational steps into the next phase of life. A phase that is centred on their needs and
achieving their goals.

This is simply to say “thank you” for your outstanding presentation on public speaking at the District Conference of Rotary International. Your friendly and humourous style, along with your easy-to-use hints and suggestions, made the art of public speaking much less fear-producing for those who attended. All Rotarians wind up speaking to groups at one time or another, so this will assist a room full of
Rotarians, which I noticed was standing room only. You were the highlight of my day.
Ernie Ginsler

Assistant Governor (Kitchener-Waterloo), Rotary

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Custom-designed training targeted for you and your staff on a wide range of topics.

To find out more about visual change management, click here

Sample offerings include:

Mastering Metaphor and Meaning
Experience a step-by- step methodology to inject visual and creative techniques into your team and client engagements. Learn to apply metaphor to simplify, convey and master strategic concepts, to use graphic templates and creative processes to engage team/client members and capture ideas, and to facilitate integrating visual templates into your team meetings.

This is designed as a two- day hands-on workshop that provides the tools to improve the way you learn, teach and work with others.

Ideal for independent or In-house professionals who manage change processes: Facilitators, HR professionals, Project Managers, Coaches, Teachers, Project Managers, and Leaders who need to facilitate, coach and improve performance in groups.

Reflective Practice for Mental Health Practitioners
Learn and apply the Reflective Practice Model (Oakland Children’s Hospital approach) to your organization, clients and staff. Reflective supervision assists organizations to develop supports and strategies for caregiver, counsellor and supervisor staff in all types of organizations. This can improve the quality of services and help reduce staff burnout and turnover. Our services range from providing trainings, guiding agencies to develop their own capacity to use this technique using train-the- trainer approaches, or if required, a sustained engagement where we can offer regular reflective supervision from an experienced therapist.

Reflective practice, reflective supervision, and reflective leadership is an emerging approach now considered best practice for organizations where stress, high staff turnover, and quality of service are significant issues. Especially in the health and social service fields, the demands of increased productivity, high caseloads and complex client dynamics can challenge your organization's morale and quality of service.

Ideal for therapists, home visitors, art therapists, expressive arts therapists, mental health providers, nurses, case workers, social workers, teachers and coaches “We can help your staff do better, and feel better about what they do”.

Clinical Supervision
We offer hourly, weekly, and monthly clinical supervision sessions and consultations from our licensed, registered clinical faculty:

  1. MFT supervision, for students and interns working towards licensure with the BBSE, AAMFT
  2. ATR supervision, for students and interns working towards credentialing with CATA, AATA
My learning feels very supported. Thank-you, Michelle, for incorporating so many rich role-plays and experiential components. It helped the information feel relevant and practicising the skills showed me how to apply them to client work.
Therapist

Therapist, Pacific Centre Family Services Association

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What is Graphic Recording?

Using visual representation and metaphors, complex or technically challenging new ideas can be easily simplified and explained in a user-friendly way on large murals. The murals can be incorporated into a post-session action plan, ensuring maximum follow-through. Participants can reflect back on their commitment to the goals set at the meeting, and continue to deepen understanding by focusing on the big picture.

Murals are usually 4 feet high by 8-10 feet in length or more, drawn with coloured markers and chalk. Partnering with you, we provide the design for the meeting, the facilitation, and the graphic recording; or alternatively, we are happy to partner with your facilitation team. We will meet with your facilitator via telephone or in person before the conference to ensure a seamless event.

We incorporate Graphic Recording into much of our work, when appropriate. The visual images are created on-site during the meetings in an unobtrusive manner. After the meeting the charts are photographed digitally and consolidated into a report to preserve the energy, momentum and vision of the original event.

This pioneering technique can also be provided as a separate, stand-alone service to energize your conferences and meetings.

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Michelle Winkel's talent is extraordinary. I, along with 295 other delegates, was captivated from the first stroke of her pen. To say I was in awe is an understatement. Thank you Michelle; what a gift you added to our event!
Thank you, Michelle. Your work is wonderful and the murals turned out beautifully. What an awesome legacy from the symposium. You really captured the essence and the carry-away messages.
Val Beaman

Manager, Ministry of Social Development, BC

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SCENARIO: You have a plan to organize a meeting to engage staff and generate some valuable group thinking. How do get the most out of your investment of money and time? Graphic Recording can help you ensure that you engage your participants and create a usable and value-added record of the processes and outcomes of your meeting. Graphic Recording synthesizes ideas, processes and key themes real-time into large scale wall murals that are created on-site during meetings.

The Value of Graphic Recording

  1. CAPTURES the group's memory, resulting in a single, comprehensive public record of the discussions and visions of the event.
  2. DISTILLS the essence of the group's thinking and organizes complex information into meaningful, beautiful, and memorable murals.
  3. ENGAGES group participants, encouraging them to work together in collaborative ways that promote commitment to action.
  4. ACKNOWLEDGES and includes the approximately 85% of people who are "visual learners".

To find out how a California consortium used Graphic Recording to promote funding accountability, click here

DIGITAL GRAPHIC RECORDING

We also offer digital graphic recording, conducted real-time on a tablet (such as an iPad) instead of on large paper. It can then be projected onto large screens during your event, and immediately posted on social networking sites, the internet or your organizations extranet. We suggest discussing with us which method best suits your event and your specific needs.

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The entertaining and informative workshop helped us understand, as parents and adults working with youth, the impact that our words and actions can have on young people and their choices.
Your workshop provided a safe environment to access deeper and often-hidden emotions through the creative process.  Several women were moved to tears, and hugged you gratefully at the end.
Therapist

Therapist, Sexual Assult Center of Hamilton & Area

Cheryl-Ann legitimized the need for us as professionals to take good care of ourselves through times of challenge and change, and you empowered us to become better at being supportive and empathetic towards each other and most notably the people we serve.

We'd love to hear from you

Give us a call or send us comment on this submission form to talk about your project, event or organizational challenges.

We'd be thrilled to brainstorm a path forward that works specifically for you and your team. We’ll get back to you right away.

Phone: 1-866-515-2916

General information: [email protected]

Cheryl-Ann Webster: [email protected]

Michelle Winkel: [email protected]

I continue to believe that engaging muliple modalities is a wonderful way to capture people's imagination, thereby unleashing their hopes and ignighting their passion. So thank you Michelle, for your wonderful talent.

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ARTshops

Engaging, practical, arts-based workshops called ARTshops!

Keynotes

Interactive, Informative & Impactful Keynote Presentations

Training

Professional and para-professional skill development

Graphic Recording

Visually capturing and communicating key learning

Facilitating Change, Creatively!

ARTshops

  • Creative, interactive workshops, involving ‘Cringe Free’ activities
  • Experiential learning for teams to explore and discover realistic approaches
  • ARTshops are designed for 5-105 year olds and for intimate groups of 12 people to a room bursting with 500 people!

Keynotes

  • Empowering, thought-provoking presentations, set in a foundation of useful tools for professionals
  • Validates current situations, promotes self-care and team-care, and explores future possibilities
  • Encourages both self-reflection and dialogue

Training

  • Integrating creative tools to engage clients more meaningfully
  • Clinical supervision for marriage and family therapists, art therapists and expressive arts therapists
  • Graphic recording, facilitation and visual communications training

Graphic Recording

  • Powerful, dynamic murals created on–site, live, during your conference, meeting, or retreat
  • Design and communicate strategy
  • Generate big picture thinking for groups

Unfolding Solutions is a team of professionals, who have joined forces to provide you with the most creative, engaging, and experiential learning experience.

Michelle Winkel

Michelle Winkel

Creative Facilitator

I am dedicated to a creative life and love to facilitate creativity, growth and innovation in others.  I am trained as an art therapist, marriage and family therapist, and graphic facilitator, with twenty five years of experience working with groups, organizations, and individuals.

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Read more…” style=”fancy”] For many years, I  specialized in working with private and public sector agencies to improve supervision, performance and morale for clinicians, educators and home visitors dealing with complicated clients. Reflective practices and arts-based processes are among my primary tools.

I also practice the innovative use of graphic recording and visual facilitation in meetings, conferences and visioning sessions. This technique has garnered attention in the high-tech industry as well as in community and organizational engagement efforts.

Credentials include a Fellowship from Harvard Children’s Hospital in Infant mental Health, a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California (MFT 36136), a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) , and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) in North America. I am eligible to work in both Canada and the United States.

[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Cheryl Ann Webster

Cheryl Ann Webster

Creative Speaker

Although my childhood was far from ideal and my naive decisions have had life-long consequences, my journey has been rich in lessons and experiences. Indeed it has been a journey that has taken me from a little girl silenced, to an award-winning artist and speaker.

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Read more…” style=”fancy”] Growing-up I was silenced by the belief that “little girls should be seen and not heard” so I kept quiet. Art became my voice, as I began to silently sketch my innermost thoughts and feelings, and through my art, make sense of my life. Over time, I studied what had shaped me, who had influenced me, what was in my control, and what I needed to do to thrive!

I am not sure when I fully realized I was in control of changing my situation, but I do remember starting to make the most of my limited resources, rather than focusing on what I didn’t have. In retrospect, I was actually following a process I now call ART – Awareness, Resilience and Transformational which guided me out of the darkness, and into the life I love.

I now smile when I am introduced as an award-winning speaker and artist, with a glowing list of awards & qualifications on my resume. I smile not in a boastful way but in an empowered way – as I am living proof that we can heal, grow and achieve. Today, I use my spoken words to empower the audience, and my creative expressions and art exhibitions as the backdrop for interactive, experiential learning.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Bert Zethof

Bert Zethof

Co-conspirator and Catalyst

Facilitator, coach, trainer and management consultant, support strategic change and organization development are what keep Bert busy these days.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler title=”Read more…” style=”fancy”]He is a systems thinker who is strong at facilitating dynamic conversations that assess the current reality and inspire and support a shift to a desired future. He has facilitated many teams through strategic planning and strategy execution, has coached leaders individually and in peer groups, and has guided people through change.

Bert developed his professional fundamentals over thirty years with a diverse client base which gives him a strong ability to help teams and managers navigate the the toughest of challenges. He brings professional knowledge and real-world experience and applications, which he shares with his clients.

Bert’s passion is to make a difference in his clients’ lives. He has a life-long interest in socially responsible organizations as a vehicle for personal growth and fulfillment and as the basic building block for healthy communities. He is inspired by helping clients to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. Bert thrives when he is working with individuals who are committed to team success. “If my clients aren’t interested in improvement or are sabotaging each other’s efforts, then I want to move on. Life’s too short. I am passionate about working with people who see themselves as change agents and are driven by a passion bigger than themselves.”

Bert takes on leadership roles in the community. He has served as a Director in the Air & Waste Management Association, a Director in the American Marketing Association, and has been Chair of the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of British Columbia.

Bert operates in his profession like he played basketball; with a love for the game, creativity, teamwork, skill, and fun. “When playing basketball, I always got more of a thrill from making a great pass to set up a teammate than I got from scoring, myself. I tried to create situations that played to my teammates’ strengths. This is still what I do as a facilitator for strategic change: to help teams to collaborate so they can achieve their desired future.[/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]

Lauren Nackman

Lauren Nackman

Strategist

Lauren Nackman has 20 years’ experience in public and not-for-profit agencies managing service delivery programs and transformation projects.

[su_accordion] [su_spoiler title=”Read more…” style=”fancy”]Early in her career she worked as a front-line program manager in employment services. She has been a successful program manager; developing and implementing innovative programs to serve diverse populations which include at-risk youth, individuals with disabilites, long term public aid recipients as well as laid off manufacturing workers.

Lauren has also worked in the private sector for the management consulting firm, Accenture, in their government service line. In these roles she managed the communications and change management required to implement a new welfare and foster care benefits system for almost 3000 users. This work included business process analysis, planning for process changes, and guiding the communications and training for both staff and leadership. After leaving the private sector Lauren returned to government with the State of California’s Legislative Analysts office. There on behalf of the Legislature, she provided research and recommendations for the areas of Child Welfare, Foster Care, Employment programs, and Child Care Licensing and quality. She regularly testified on policy and fiscal recommendations before policy and budget sub-committees of the Legislature.

Most recently Lauren has guided the development of a major system and business transformation for the Ministry of Social Development and Innovation and works currently advising on and implementing performance monitoring plans and evaluation for a program serving youth with disabilities. Lauren received her Master’s Degree in Social Policy Analysis (Urban Planning) from the University of California, Los Angeles.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

ARTshops

Our passion for creative expression flows from the stage and the classroom during all of our engagements with you.  We use simple materials and processes enabling you and your teams to explore and express complex dynamics in a simple, non-threatening and safe manner.

All sessions are designed specifically for your event and the needs of the audience and agenda – be it a few hours or a few days!

What are ARTshops?

  • Creative, interactive workshops, involving ‘Cringe Free’ activities
  • Experiential learning for teams to explore and discover realistic approaches and assess the processing styles of each its members.
  • Rather than fitting the tools to the individual, the individual discovers and brings their personal strengths to be used as tools for the team. Team members can then shift within teams to assist in more creative problem solving and produce creation.
  • ARTshops are designed for 5-105 year old’s and for intimate groups of 12 people to a room bursting with 500 people!

Sample ARTshops include:

Be the Art or the Artist
Recognition of potential & control of your life

We are all influenced and shaped by our experiences and encounters. Our lives come to resemble a beautiful painting, with many layers, textures and colours. Great stories emerge.  But in the creation of the painting, who held the brush? Who sketched the design? Are you the artwork or are you the artist?

This ARTshop positively explores who and what has influenced us and who’s expectations we strive to reach. No matter who held the brush in your painting you will see how to take control and add new layers, colours and textures to the painting. Discover the 6 key factors for taking control of your life, and living it by your design.

Understand the 'T' in change
Managing Transformation

Logically we know change is a natural and essential process in our everyday life, yet we may find the process to be uncomfortable, confusing and stressful. Sometimes, we seek out change and are filled with excitement at the new possibilities.

Understanding the ‘T’ in Change explores how the process of invited and uninvited change affects you, your team and your community. Appreciate the power of transformation and learn
how to manage transformative steps in a healthy and productive manner!

Mosaic Masterpiece
Create a Happy & Productive Team

Explore the dynamics of your team by discovering and appreciating the unique and varied personality styles.

Creatively connect the best fitting pieces together while valuing the glue that holds them in place.

Uncover potential, celebrate passion and skill while guiding your team to observe both the big picture as well as the details, the short- term goals and the long – term rewards.

Paint by Numbers
Clarifying Goals & Action Steps

When each team member seems to be heading in a different direction but believes they are working together to achieve the same goal, the Paint by Numbers ARTshop will help.

Bring the whole team together for this ARTshop to show them your vision, through words, imagery and discussion.

As the team sees your vision as clearly as you do, they will be able to create the action steps and time line so that the steps to success will be as simple as painting by numbers.

Self-portrait
Knowing and Accepting You

This ARTshop is designed specifically for women’s wellness groups. Self-portrait is an opportunity to explore the authentic you in a highly personal and creative manner.

Be it a face cast or body cast, you will be able to discover more of your authentic self and introduce her to the many roles you already fulfill in life.

Being more authentically you lowers stress and inner conflict, allows for more self- acceptance, and encourages you to be your own best advocate and promoter.

Your workshops provided powerful lessons to show the women that, no matter where they have been, with self-acceptance, they can set goals and make positive changes in their lives.
LAURIE SKYVINGTON

Manager, TRANSITIONAL SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Keynotes

Empowering, thought-provoking presentations, set in a foundation of useful skill development for professionals. CherylAnn Webster is our keynote speaker.

Cheryl-Ann found her speaking career at a safari park with a python around her neck!  After entertaining and informing a diverse audience 5 times a day, 7 days a week, she became adept at tailoring her delivery to lift the spirits of the audience on a rainy day and spark the interest of even the most disgruntled guests dragged along on a family outing as well as reacting and responding in a heartbeat if the animals on stage refused to stay on script. Needless to say, her time as a snake handler cemented her speaking career!

Since her time at the safari park, Cheryl-Ann has developed her presentations to help people of all ages better understand their self-worth, shift their perspective and acceptance of those they share their lives with, and empower her audience to take steps each day to create their best personal and professional life.

Cheryl-Ann has spoken at more than 350 events since gaining her professional status with the Canadian Association of Profession Speakers in 2008.

Sample Keynotes include:

ART to Life
This is both an inspirational and informative introductory talk, about art as an important mode of expression and ART (Awareness. Resilience. Transformation) as a process in which to live by.

The ART to Life talk is specifically designed for groups that do not have the resources for a full keynote presentation.

This talk is highly visual and as such Cheryl-Ann can provide AV equipment suitable for a room hosting a maximum of 40 people.

HARTbeat - How Art Saved my Life
From the streets to the studio and then to the stage, HARTbeat is a story of transformation, an inspiring presentation about courage and hope entwined with transformational and applicable life lessons suitable for an adult audience.

HARTbeat is a keynote presentation that can be adapted for 45 mins or 90 mins agenda.  With a longer agenda including more audience participation in the form of self reflection and simple ‘cringe free’ activities.

HARTbeat works well as an opening Keynote with follow up break out ARTshops in which smaller groups can explore and express what creates their life.

Celebrating Beautiful YOU!
Celebrating Reality, Empowering Change

Cheryl-Ann Webster’s award-winning Beautiful Women Project has highlighted how our body image and self -esteem are intrinsically linked to how we live every aspect of our life!

Celebrating Beautiful You explores intergenerational messages, media influences and the power of self-talk to raise self awareness.  In-your- seat activities will help participants recognize
their resilience to negative forces and the 120 sculptures (either shown in slides or exhibited on site), open a dialogue to transforming how we and the ones we love can celebrate our natural beauty and live healthier and happier lives.

This keynote presentation is highly adaptable to best suit the specific needs of the audience and agenda.

SHE - Shaping You, Shaping Your Life
Crafting a happier & healthier life begins with how you See the world around you, what you Hear from your inside voice and exploring everlasting ways to Encourage yourself.

This reflective keynote presentation has been most impactful with women experiencing a Mid-life Check-in; the stage in life where women re-evaluate many aspects of their current situation.

SHE allows for individual evaluation, discovery of inner strength and planning of transformational steps into the next phase of life. A phase that is centred on their needs and
achieving their goals.

This is simply to say “thank you” for your outstanding presentation on public speaking at the District Conference of Rotary International. Your friendly and humourous style, along with your easy-to-use hints and suggestions, made the art of public speaking much less fear-producing for those who attended. All Rotarians wind up speaking to groups at one time or another, so this will assist a room full of
Rotarians, which I noticed was standing room only. You were the highlight of my day.
Ernie Ginsler

Assistant Governor (Kitchener-Waterloo), Rotary

Training

Custom-designed training targeted for you and your staff on a wide range of topics.

To find out more about visual change management, click here

Sample offerings include:

Mastering Metaphor and Meaning
Experience a step-by- step methodology to inject visual and creative techniques into your team and client engagements. Learn to apply metaphor to simplify, convey and master strategic concepts, to use graphic templates and creative processes to engage team/client members and capture ideas, and to facilitate integrating visual templates into your team meetings.

This is designed as a two- day hands-on workshop that provides the tools to improve the way you learn, teach and work with others.

Ideal for independent or In-house professionals who manage change processes: Facilitators, HR professionals, Project Managers, Coaches, Teachers, Project Managers, and Leaders who need to facilitate, coach and improve performance in groups.

Reflective Practice for Mental Health Practitioners
Learn and apply the Reflective Practice Model (Oakland Children’s Hospital approach) to your organization, clients and staff. Reflective supervision assists organizations to develop supports and strategies for caregiver, counsellor and supervisor staff in all types of organizations. This can improve the quality of services and help reduce staff burnout and turnover. Our services range from providing trainings, guiding agencies to develop their own capacity to use this technique using train-the- trainer approaches, or if required, a sustained engagement where we can offer regular reflective supervision from an experienced therapist.

Reflective practice, reflective supervision, and reflective leadership is an emerging approach now considered best practice for organizations where stress, high staff turnover, and quality of service are significant issues. Especially in the health and social service fields, the demands of increased productivity, high caseloads and complex client dynamics can challenge your organization’s morale and quality of service.

Ideal for therapists, home visitors, art therapists, expressive arts therapists, mental health providers, nurses, case workers, social workers, teachers and coaches “We can help your staff do better, and feel better about what they do”.

Clinical Supervision
We offer hourly, weekly, and monthly clinical supervision sessions and consultations from our licensed, registered clinical faculty:

  1. MFT supervision, for students and interns working towards licensure with the BBSE, AAMFT
  2. ATR supervision, for students and interns working towards credentialing with CATA, AATA
My learning feels very supported. Thank-you, Michelle, for incorporating so many rich role-plays and experiential components. It helped the information feel relevant and practicising the skills showed me how to apply them to client work.
Therapist

Therapist, Pacific Centre Family Services Association

Graphic Recording

What is Graphic Recording?

Using visual representation and metaphors, complex or technically challenging new ideas can be easily simplified and explained in a user-friendly way on large murals. The murals can be incorporated into a post-session action plan, ensuring maximum follow-through. Participants can reflect back on their commitment to the goals set at the meeting, and continue to deepen understanding by focusing on the big picture.

Murals are usually 4 feet high by 8-10 feet in length or more, drawn with coloured markers and chalk. Partnering with you, we provide the design for the meeting, the facilitation, and the graphic recording; or alternatively, we are happy to partner with your facilitation team. We will meet with your facilitator via telephone or in person before the conference to ensure a seamless event.

We incorporate Graphic Recording into much of our work, when appropriate. The visual images are created on-site during the meetings in an unobtrusive manner. After the meeting the charts are photographed digitally and consolidated into a report to preserve the energy, momentum and vision of the original event.

This pioneering technique can also be provided as a separate, stand-alone service to energize your conferences and meetings.

Michelle Winkel’s talent is extraordinary. I, along with 295 other delegates, was captivated from the first stroke of her pen. To say I was in awe is an understatement. Thank you Michelle; what a gift you added to our event!
Patty Shepherd

Project Manager, Quartech Systems

Thank you, Michelle. Your work is wonderful and the murals turned out beautifully. What an awesome legacy from the symposium. You really captured the essence and the carry-away messages.
Val Beaman

Manager, Ministry of Social Development, BC

SCENARIO: You have a plan to organize a meeting to engage staff and generate some valuable group thinking. How do get the most out of your investment of money and time? Graphic Recording can help you ensure that you engage your participants and create a usable and value-added record of the processes and outcomes of your meeting. Graphic Recording synthesizes ideas, processes and key themes real-time into large scale wall murals that are created on-site during meetings.

The Value of Graphic Recording

  1. CAPTURES the group’s memory, resulting in a single, comprehensive public record of the discussions and visions of the event.
  2. DISTILLS the essence of the group’s thinking and organizes complex information into meaningful, beautiful, and memorable murals.
  3. ENGAGES group participants, encouraging them to work together in collaborative ways that promote commitment to action.
  4. ACKNOWLEDGES and includes the approximately 85% of people who are “visual learners”.

To find out how a California consortium used Graphic Recording to promote funding accountability, click here

DIGITAL GRAPHIC RECORDING

We also offer digital graphic recording, conducted real-time on a tablet (such as an iPad) instead of on large paper. It can then be projected onto large screens during your event, and immediately posted on social networking sites, the internet or your organizations extranet. We suggest discussing with us which method best suits your event and your specific needs.

Partial Client List

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The entertaining and informative workshop helped us understand, as parents and adults working with youth, the impact that our words and actions can have on young people and their choices.
Dr Robin Williams

Medical Officer of Health, Niagara Region

Your workshop provided a safe environment to access deeper and often-hidden emotions through the creative process.  Several women were moved to tears, and hugged you gratefully at the end.
Therapist

Therapist, Sexual Assult Center of Hamilton & Area

Contact us today and together, let's plan your event!

Cheryl-Ann legitimized the need for us as professionals to take good care of ourselves through times of challenge and change, and you empowered us to become better at being supportive and empathetic towards each other and most notably the people we serve.
W.Burt

Manager, PELASS, Social Services

We’d love to hear from you

Give us a call or send us comment on this submission form to talk about your project, event or organizational challenges.

We’d be thrilled to brainstorm a path forward that works specifically for you and your team. We’ll get back to you right away.

Phone: 1-866-515-2916

General information: [email protected]

Cheryl-Ann Webster: [email protected]

Michelle Winkel: [email protected]

I continue to believe that engaging muliple modalities is a wonderful way to capture people’s imagination, thereby unleashing their hopes and ignighting their passion. So thank you Michelle, for your wonderful talent.
Y. Trevino

Staff, Transformative Collaborations International

Contact Us

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