Laurel Choat
Art Therapist
RP, DTATI
As a registered Art Therapist, Laurel Choat merges her expertise in design arts with a master’s equivalent from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI) to offer a unique and creative approach to mental health. With a rich and diverse background, she specializes in trauma and attachment, utilizing creative expression as a powerful therapeutic tool. Laurel has contributed her skills to organizations like Lumenus Community Services, where she has supported children and families through complex emotional and psychological challenges.
Right For You If
To create a healthier & happier future for all around us
Providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care
Helping individuals & families live with clarity, confidence & connection.
Helping individuals & families live with clarity, confidence & connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Right For You If
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Your journey starts with a consultation where we’ll discuss your child’s developmental history and any concerns you may have. This helps us determine whether an autism assessment is right for your child and how to move forward.
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After the assessment, we’ll carefully analyze the results and walk you through them in a clear and supportive way. If your child receives an autism diagnosis in Toronto, we’ll explain the findings and help you understand the next steps.
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If the assessment is needed, we’ll schedule a session using the ADOS-2, a structured, play-based tool for diagnosing autism. This assessment observes your child’s social interaction, communication, and behavior in a comfortable environment.
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Once a diagnosis is made, we’ll connect you to therapies and resources tailored to your child’s needs, ensuring they receive the right support for their growth and development.
Areas Of Support
Mississauga Majors Baseball Association
Closer to home, we’ve supported the Mississauga Majors Baseball Association, helping young athletes build community through sports.
Knights Table food bank
Supporting through food and money donations to the Knights Table food bank, contributing to efforts to alleviate hunger in the Peel Region.
Every step we take is rooted in the belief that small actions can lead to meaningful change for people everywhere. It’s all part of our commitment to fostering a healthier, happier world—one step at a time.
Areas Of Support
Parent Coaching is a collaborative, goal-oriented service designed to help caregivers manage challenges at home while strengthening the parent-child relationship. Sessions focus on skill-building, insight, and customized strategies that align with your child’s developmental stage and your family’s values.
Coaching is available as a stand-alone service or as part of a broader treatment plan in collaboration with your child’s therapist or care team.
Right For You If
Your child struggles to find the words to express feelings.
Your child needs a more creative space to process and manage difficult thoughts and feelings.
You have tried traditional talk therapy but feel stuck or that it wasn't effective for you.
You are looking for a more holistic or creative approach to emotional healing and personal growth.
Areas Of Support
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Building self-esteem and self-confidence
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Bullying strategies
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Trauma and attachment support
Professional Focus and Approach
Laurel Choat, RP, DTATI, is a dedicated registered psychotherapist, aligning with the professional standards set by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and maintaining active membership with the Canadian Art Therapy Association. With a strong foundation in design arts from Seneca College, she spent eight years as an art instructor in private schools, fostering creativity and emotional expression in young minds. Her therapeutic approach integrates traditional psychotherapy with art therapy, creating a compassionate, innovative, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can safely explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. By combining evidence-based psychological techniques with the expressive power of art, Laurel helps individuals process trauma, build resilience, and foster personal growth.</p>
Specializations
Laurel specializes in harnessing the transformative power of art and creative expression for healing and self-discovery. With a deep understanding of both psychotherapy and art, she guides clients through the therapeutic process, helping them explore emotions, trauma, and personal challenges through artistic mediums such as painting, drawing, and sculpture. Her work is particularly impactful for individuals who struggle with verbal expression, as art therapy provides an alternative pathway to process difficult experiences. With an empathetic and client-centred approach, Laurel creates a safe, supportive space where individuals can reconnect with their inner strengths, enhance self-awareness, and navigate their mental health journey with confidence and creativity.
Education and Experience
Laurel's educational journey is marked by a deep commitment to her craft. After earning her design arts credentials at Seneca College, she furthered her expertise at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI), graduating with a master’s equivalent. Notably, Laurel's passion and skills were recognized as she served on the Board of Directors at both TATI and Therapy Through the Arts Foundation. Her academic pursuits have been complemented by real-world experience, including a significant tenure at Lumenus Community Services, specializing in trauma and attachment with latency-aged children.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don't have to go through this journey alone. For expert, dedicated guidance through your mental health challenges, contact VMA Psych, Toronto's trusted source for psychological assessments, and mental health support.