Ellen’s Master’s research investigated how group art therapy can impact self-esteem, wellness and quality of life for people with epilepsy. This pilot study took place at the Museé des Beaux-Arts de Montréal (MBAM) art hive in collaboration with Dr. Signy Sheldon (McGill University). Ellen presented her research and was a panel member on the MBAM’s roundtable discussion on museum art therapy at the 2018 Canadian Art Therapy Association conference. Additionally, Ellen’s research was awarded the Charles Bujold award from the Centre de Recherche et d’intervention sur l’éducation et la vie au travail (CRIEVAT) at Université de Laval. Check out Ellen’s Master’s research Group Art Therapy for Young-Mid Adults with Epilepsy: A Psychosocial Inquest into Multiple Ways of Knowing here.
Ellen has been an active contributor to the Art Hives network, facilitating groups in community settings such as with Concordia’s Centre for Gender Advocacy via the Mapping Project (an initiative researching the accessibility experience for Concordia’s disabled students and/or LGBTQIA+, two-spirit, non-binary and gender nonconforming students) Via art and optional discussion, Ellen co-facilitated a workshop with a focus on expressing experiences navigating Concordia’s physical and pedagogical (teaching) environment.