01/22/2026
We are so grateful that with Bell Let's Talk support we are able to bring this important partnership with Saint Columba House to life. Beautiful work by our Concordia University drama and play therapy student Paula who has brought this to life with the support of faculty Bonnie Harnden
Today, on Bell Let’s Talk Day, we would like to take a moment to highlight an initiative supporting our communities.
At Maison Saint Columba House, our play therapy student Paula Knowles is piloting Child-Centred Play Therapy for children from vulnerable families. This work, supported through a partnership with the Concordia Arts in Health Centre and Bell, provides students with hands-on experience while offering specialized approaches to mental health that can be particularly effective for children and youth.
“I am inspired by Saint Columba House’s strong social justice values and its commitment to meeting people where they are. I am deeply grateful for this partnership, and for the support of Bell, which makes this pilot project possible and provides essential clinical supervision. We hope this is the beginning of an ongoing play therapy program, adding to the many inclusive services at Saint Columba House.”
– Paula Knowles, Play Therapy student
“Play therapy offers a safe, developmentally appropriate space for children to express emotions, build coping skills, and strengthen social and emotional development. The next phase will integrate families into the therapeutic process. Offering this program free of charge increases accessibility for marginalized families and provides an essential layer of early intervention and protection for children at risk.”
– Sarah Clark, Executive Director, Maison Saint Columba
Grâce à ce partenariat, Concordia, ses étudiants et les organismes communautaires développent des approches spécialisées en santé mentale particulièrement efficaces pour les enfants et les jeunes, renforçant ainsi la capacité des services communautaires à soutenir leurs communautés. 💙
Concordia Arts in Health Centre Bell Let's Talk Maison Saint Columba House Concordia University Concordia University Graduate Studies
