Kathleen Charles

About

I'm a trained creative arts therapist and somatic therapy practitioner based in Tiohtia:ke/Montreal. My approach to therapy is essentially somatic, trauma-informed, person-centered and anchored in the assumptions of liberation psychology, anti-oppression & response-based practice. I have practiced drama therapy and mental health counselling in community settings, with a focus on supporting marginalized Black folks, BIPOC and QTBIPOC youth. I am committed to a decolonized or re-indigenized view of health. Instead of viewing behavior and symptoms through the lens of pathology, I ask: How has your nervous system been responding to the world around it, and why? How can we work together to build compassionate understanding for these responses, while remaining curious as to what new responses may better suit who you currently are and what you desire? Together, we can work towards your goals and support you in remembering and reconnecting to your own inherent resiliency and sacred resources for navigating all of life’s challenges. Depending on the needs of those I work with, I draw tools from different therapeutic approaches: Drama therapy, with some tools drawn from art, music and dance movement therapy Mindfulness-based techniques Person-centered therapy (humanistic) Emotion-focused therapy Solution-focused therapy Somatic and EMDR therapy Compassion-focused therapy Strength-based approach Response-based practice Internal family systems therapy (IFS) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy I am currently not open to new clients in my practice. I may be open to working with new clients again by then end of summer (August 2026). If you have any questions, feel free to email me at: kathleencharlescounselling@gmail.com https://www.kathleencharles.com/