Kayla Cardinal

My name is Kayla Cardinal. I am a Canadian Metis woman, art psychotherapist, registered social worker, counsellor, academic, researcher, presenter, supervisor, teacher, and advocate. I firmly believe in living life through decolonization, intention, inclusivity, and connection with myself, family, community, the academy, and globally.

I began my academic career in Montreal and have moved across Canada to gain knowledge from a variety of cultures, contexts, and pedagogies. My career plan is to maintain my private practices in Winnipeg, MB and Edmonton, AB as an art psychotherapist, counsellor, supervisor and director, and continue teaching and supervising via distance delivery. I have gained experience in teaching, research, and supervision over the last few years of my career, and now find myself at a juncture of transitioning towards maintaining private practice but with more energy and emphasis on academic adventures. My career goal is to balance practice, research, teaching, and education. I believe with having over a decade of experience as a registered art therapist, registered social worker, teacher, presenter, researcher, and supervisor will support and help heal my Indigenous neighbours through clinical practice. 

Kayla is the founder of Winnipeg Art Therapy. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts and Psychology at Concordia University in 2010. She then earned her Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, and has been in practice as an art psychotherapist since 2011. Kayla achieved her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Manitoba in 2015, and her Master of Social Work with a clinical social work practice specialization from the University of Calgary in 2017, and is currently working on her PhD in Social Work at the University of Manitoba. 

Kayla has served as a Board of Directors member for the Canadian Art Therapy Association as the treasurer and secretary, as well as the ethics chair. She also served as a member of the Registration Committee for the Manitoba College of Social Workers. 

As a registered, MSW, social worker, Kayla's services may be billed through many insurance providers. She is also a registered service provider for:

- multiple authorities in Child & Family Services

- Indigenous Services Canada (Non-Insured Health Benefit and Indian   

  Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program)

- Jordan's Principle

- and Veterans Affairs

Ms. Cardinal has art psychotherapy experience working with individuals, families, and groups who have experienced trauma, addictions, mental illness, and grief/loss. Her experience includes providing educational workshops, lectures, resources, advocacy, public awareness, clinical supervision, and clinical practice with:

- cognitive/developmental delay

- behaviour

- attachment

- newcomers to Canada who do not speak English as a first language

- domestic violence and abuse

- addictions

- mental illness, severe mental illness

- dementia, geriatric mental health

- physical challenges, acquired brain injuries

- cancer care (oncology)

- corrections

- compassion fatigue for support and front line staff

- marriage, couple, and family therapy

- pregnancy and fertility

- LGBTQ, sexuality, identity, gender identity

- Indigenous trauma, cultural awareness, and identity

Cardinal, K. (2023). Reclaiming Métis Identity: Implications for Art Therapy Research and Practice. 

Canadian Journal of Art Therapy, 36(1), 31-43, DOI: 10.1080/26907240.2023.2201158

Cardinal, K. (2015). The Personality Tea Pot: the effects and future application in art therapy. Canadian Journal of Art Therapy, 27(2), 13-30.

Cardinal, K. (2014). Art in social work. Canadian Art Therapy Association Newsletter, 13(03), 6-7.

Cardinal, K. (2013). The Personality Tea Pot: the effects and future application in art therapy. 

Canadian Art Therapy Association Newsletter, 12(02), 5-6.

Cardinal, K. (2025).  Indigenous Healing: Tree drawing.  Presentation and workshop, 

Northern Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Edmonton, AB.

Cardinal, K. (2025).  Integrating art modalities in clinical practice.  Presentation and workshop, River 

East Transcona School Division, Winnipeg, MB.

Cardinal, K. (2024).  Reclaiming Metis identity: Starting with our roots.  Presentation, 

Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, MB.

Cardinal, K. (2024).  Exploring Indigenous identity.  Presentation and workshop, Leading the way 

Conference, Edmonton, AB.

Cardinal, K. (2024).  Reclaiming Metis identity: Starting with our roots.  Presentation and workshop, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (Women of the Métis Nation) – Health Forum, Ottawa, ON.

Cardinal, K. (2021). The need for Indigenization and decolonization of the global academy: 

Implications for the field of art therapy. Presentation, Canadian Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, Virtual.

Cardinal, K. (2021). The need for Indigenization and decolonization of the global academy: 

Implications for the field of art therapy. Presentation, St. Stephen’s College, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.

Cardinal, K. (2021). The need for Indigenization and decolonization of the global academy. 

Presentation, British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors Conference, virtual.

Cardinal, K. (2018). Aboriginal men who have experienced domestic violence: Implications for 

art therapy practice. Presentation, Canadian Art Therapy Association Annual Conference, Montreal, QC.

Cardinal, K. (2018). Healing through art: Coping with cancer visually. Presentation, Cancer Care 

Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.

Cardinal, K. (2017). Art therapy with children in care. Presentation and workshop, All Nations 

Coordinated Response Seminar, Winnipeg, MB.

Cardinal, K. (2017). Art therapy and social work practice. Presentation, University of Calgary, 

Lethbridge, AB.

Cardinal, K. (2017). Psychosocial oncology: A multi-model approach with Mindfulness-based Cancer 

Recovery. Presentation, University of Calgary, Lethbridge, AB.

Cardinal, K. (2016). The effects of corporal punishment and the need for policy revision in Canada’s 

criminal code. Presentation, Winnipeg, MB.

Cardinal, K. (2013). Art therapy and Parkinson’s Disease. Presentation, Parkinson Canada, Winnipeg, MB.

Phone: (204) 218-5254

E-Mail: info@winnipegarttherapy.ca