Editor’s notes: Art Therapy Conversations is a regular column in Envisage, developed and written by Rebecca Montgomery. We thank Rebecca for her dedication and creativity in facilitating learning and connections between art therapists across the country!

Marbella Carlos is an art therapist/counsellor licensed in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, whose philosophy prioritizes equity, feminism, social justice, and intersectionality. With invaluable experience under her belt, Marbella has worked with organizations such as the National Eating Disorder Information Centre and the Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture. She graduated from Concordia University’s Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies program, where she worked in museum art therapy, university counselling, and community public practice. She now runs her own private practice and facilitates group workshops. Not to mention she’s a rad, unapologetic intersectional feminist with a thriving visual arts practice! I am so excited to have the chance to talk with her.

Rebecca’s narratives in italic below.

Hello Marbella! It is great to be joining you in conversation. Let’s start off with a couple short and sweet questions. In one  word, how are you feeling right now?

Hopeful. :)

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

A video of a cat wearing bunny ears.

With your initial experiences in the fields of public health, knowledge translation, community education and project management, what inspired you to become an art therapist / counsellor?

I deeply loved my work at NEDIC (the National Eating Disorder Information Centre) and at Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture. However, I hit a point in my work where I wanted to have a more direct impact on the mental health and well-being of the communities I was serving. Also, my two passions of art and mental health were often isolated from one another in the work I was doing. By becoming an art therapist, I was able to marry both entities and provide mental health care while still engaging the creative process.

In graduate school you founded CATSOCA, the Creative Arts Therapies Students of Colour Alliance. What response did you receive from this?

Starting CATSOCA was one of the highlights of my time at Concordia. It became clear very early on in my first semester that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) students needed space and support processing our experiences in the institution. The response was mixed, but largely positive. Some detractors did not understand the need for BIPOC-only spaces or thought that the creation of the group would be exclusionary. But not only did CATSOCA creates support for BIPOC students, it also created opportunities for many allies to support the work! My entire cohort of art therapy students came together to create a fundraiser to support one of our BIPOC classmates who was having financial troubles. Many allies also used their positions to advocate for BIPOC issues and support our members when necessary. Some professors were very helpful and supported us through the process of creating the student group!

I really commend you for taking on a leadership role while also being a student. I’d love to hear more about how you’re continuing your work with the BIPOC community today. Would you tell me more about the workshops you’re facilitating?

Thank you! During my time as a student, I also launched a project centred on the mental health and wellbeing of BIPOC called, BELONGING. It started with a small art therapy group that I provided with the help of some volunteers in my first year. After providing that group, I collaborated with my friend Jenn Addison, a Vinyasa yoga teacher, to provide free/low-cost movement and art therapy groups for the larger Montreal community. With COVID restrictions, we brought our workshops online and have been able to share our work with BIPOC folks from all over the world!

What was the theme of the last workshop?

The last workshop we hosted was called “Inner Landscapes” and we focused on the transition of seasons between summer and fall. In “normal” times, this seasonal change can be challenging. Going back to school, saying goodbye to summer, etc. During COVID times, this change can be even more difficult. We wanted to provide a space for participants to navigate this transition together and we did so with group mindful movement and art therapy.

How has the incorporation of yoga and mindfulness intertwined with art therapy?

We find that the two different disciplines fit together quite seamlessly. Both emphasize the importance of being in the present moment, open and accepting of ourselves no matter where we are at that given time. They are also physical experiences that require intention. In the workshops, Jenn and I alternate in facilitation while working with a shared theme.

In our in person workshops, she might end her movement series with the participants in a child’s pose. When they open their eyes and come back to a seated position, I will have set up a variety of art materials in front of them! We structure the activities to flow well together and participants seem to respond well to the process of connecting to the body and then using it to express themselves.

Do you have another workshop coming up soon?

Yes! I’m very excited to be facilitating a free workshop for BIPOC on Wednesday, November 18th on burlesque and body image, called “Revealing”! People can find out more info and register on my website at marbellacarlos.com/registration.

Has your experience working with the National Eating Disorder Information Centre contributed to the framework around your next workshop, “Revealing”?

Most definitely. A lot of my work at NEDIC had to do with understanding all of the complex factors that relate to eating disorders. This work involved teaching young people about critical media literacy, educating healthcare workers on signs and symptoms of disordered eating and eating disorders, and how societal messages influence how we feel about and relate to our bodies. This background, and understanding the seriousness of this topic, motivated my desire to create this workshop.

What would you say to the person who is considering joining your workshop, but hasn’t had experience in group / art therapy?

I would say that this would be a great time to challenge yourself and give it a try! The workshop will be online, so there’s a bit of a built-in, safe distance involved. You can learn about the topic while staying in the comfort of your own home.

Is there a quote that inspires you that you would like to share?

“I think it is healing behaviour, to look at something so broken and see the possibility and wholeness in it.” — Adrienne Maree Brown

I am curious to hear about your own visual arts practice if you would like to share? (perhaps your most recent project?)

Yes! These last two years (at least before COVID) I have been really inspired by burlesque and using this method as a means for expressing myself and working through some challenging topics. Most recently, I was given support by the MAI (Montreal, arts interculturels) to create a performance piece under the mentorship of Lou lou la Duchess de Riere, an international award winning, Mohawk burlesque artist. She helped me to start producing a work of art using the body to reclaim female sexuality and sensuality under colonialism. The piece is basically a performance where I am a warrior combating white supremacy! Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 I wasn’t able to complete the piece and perform it as intended, but I am still working on it and other projects here and there.

Thank you, Marbella! Learning more about you and the work you do has inspired me. Hearing about how you work by actively listening and responding to community needs has me engaged and looking forward to seeing what comes next. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers before we finish?

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me and inviting me to share a bit about my work. I would invite the readers to keep in touch and to collaborate on finding more ways to reach and support underserved communities in Canada. They can find me online at my website and on social media. I would love to connect!

Connect with Marbella at:
Website: marbellacarlos.com
Instagram: @marbella.carlos
Facebook: @marbellacarlos.therapy

Rebecca Montgomery, BFA
Vancouver, BC

Born in Lions Bay, BC, Rebecca currently works as a freelance artist while studying psychology and neuroscience at University of British Columbia. Talking with art therapists across the country, she is reminded more and more of why art is such a powerful modality of healing. Most likely, you will find her drinking tea and drawing blind contours, or walking along the coastline.