Tanya Negrey & Associates Art & Expressive Therapies

04/25/2026

There are parts of our experience that language can’t hold.

Language is a construct.
It helps us explain experience—but it doesn’t always reach how it feels.

The arts emerge differently.
Naturally. Intuitively. Honestly.

How many times have you heard a song that hits just right—where the lyrics and sound suddenly make you feel seen and heard in a way you had been searching for, perhaps without even realising it?

That kind of moment can feel like immediate validation.

And it’s not just music.

A piece of art.
A colour.
A smell or sound in nature.
A dance performance that wordlessly touches something deep and brings you to tears.

These experiences reach us directly.

That’s powerful.

This is what expressive arts therapies draw on.

Cognitive approaches matter.
But when paired with expressive therapies, something begins to take form—revealing meaning beyond language.

Because what we carry isn’t always verbal.
But it can still be expressed.

Your story. Your voice.
That’s a great place to start.

When was the last time something felt true before you could explain it?

04/18/2026

Can music treat psychosis? A new study reveals how songwriting helps schizophrenia patients improve predictive coding, reducing paranoia and social isolation.

03/09/2026

02/03/2026

Today, we remember Jordan River Anderson, who passed away on February 2, 2005.

Jordan was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation who spent his entire life in the hospital. Although he could have received care in a family home, the federal and provincial governments could not agree on who should pay for the support he needed. Because of those delays, Jordan never had the chance to live at home with his family.

His story touched people across the country and led to the creation of Jordan’s Principle, a promise that First Nations children should receive the services they need, when they need them, without delays or disputes over funding.

On this day, we hold Jordan in our hearts and extend our thoughts to his family and loved ones, recognizing that this day carries deep grief and remembrance. Honouring Jordan means continuing to speak up for children and families, and committing to systems that put care, dignity, and compassion first.

01/12/2026

Simply and beautifully put!

Five rules of many for 2026:

12/22/2025

Sending love ❤️‍🩹

12/08/2025

If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one this holiday season, you are not alone. This is a difficult time for many, including ourselves.

Try to find joy where you can, reach out to friends and family, but also allow yourself to feel whatever emotions you have. Most especially, take care of yourself. Your physical, emotional, and mental health are important.

You matter 💚

- J

11/14/2025

09/21/2025

09/18/2025

Art Therapy Diplomas VS Masters Degrees in Canada- Is There a Difference?

There is a lot of confusion in Canada when it comes to how art therapy programs are perceived. Private diploma programs use terms like “graduate-level education,” which can sound impressive—as if they are equal to a university master’s degree. But these diplomas are not comparable to a master’s in terms of academic rigour, professional standing, or legal recognition.

Academic Authority
A Master’s Degree (MA) is awarded by a provincially recognised university, following strict accreditation and government oversight. Admissions requirements include an undergraduate degree, and the coursework is held to high graduate standards.
On the other hand, a diploma comes from a private institution that is not authorised to confer degrees. Admissions may be less demanding and often do not require a bachelor degree. Diplomas are not reviewed or regulated by provincial or federal advanced education ministries.

Curriculum & Infrastructure
MA programs cover advanced topics like psychology, psychotherapy, research methods, ethics, and require substantial supervised clinical practicum hours. Students are trained to meet the standards needed for professional practice.
Diploma programs may offer some valuable art-based techniques, but they fall short in graduate-level research, academic oversight, and the essential infrastructure—like faculty research, ethics boards, and library resources—that is expected from a legitimate graduate program.

Professional Recognition
A MA is universally recognized by employers, governments, insurers, and universities. It allows progression to doctoral study and meets requirements for many regulated mental health professions.
With a diploma, recognition is limited. While some professional associations may accept diploma holders, this does not create equivalency with a graduate degree. Employers, insurers, and academic institutions do not treat diplomas as master’s-level credentials.

The Fallacy of “Graduate-Level” Marketing
The phrase “graduate-level education” has a very specific meaning: it refers to courses taken after a bachelor’s degree, which count toward a recognized graduate credential. When private diploma programs use this term, it is for marketing reasons—a true graduate education is not possible. A diploma cannot be swapped for a master’s, and it does not carry the same rights, recognition, or status.

An MA in Art Therapy from an accredited university is a legitimate, recognized graduate degree. A non-accredited diploma simply is not the same thing—using “graduate-level” language to imply otherwise is misleading and does not match up with the facts, either academically or professionally.