Who We Are
Athena Cooper
Athena is a visual artist and coach who uses art-making practices to help others explore, grow and heal.
Born with the rare genetic disorder, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (aka ‘brittle bone disease’), and a wheelchair-user since the age of six, she has seen how her own art practice has helped her process and navigate the world as a person living with a disability. She strongly believes that anyone can benefit from having a creative practice—regardless of whether they consider themselves to be “artistic“—and that through creativity we have the ability to better connect with ourselves and with each other.
Athena completed the therapeutic arts master practitioner program from the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy in 2022 and is currently in the practicum phase of the Martha Beck Wayfinder Coach-in-Training Program.
She is also an Active Status member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and is currently working on a 2024 art exhibit on the subject of romantic love and disability. This project has received generous support from Canada Council for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development and the City of Calgary.
(To see more of Athena’s artwork, visit: www.athenacooper.ca)
Stefan de Villiers, MSW RSW
Stefan is a Registered Social Worker and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work (clinical specialization) from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies through the US-based Trauma Research Foundation. Stefan is also a Certified Grief Educator.
Stefan’s approach to therapy draws on both body-based and talk-based interventions, with an emphasis on generating a creative mindset as a resource for healing.
Stefan’s mission is to help you achieve positive transformation to fulfill your life’s potential.
After spending the early part of his social service career as a youth worker supporting youth struggling with addictions, homelessness, poverty, and family breakdown, Stefan chose to further pursue a career as a psychotherapist, working primarily with adults in individual, couple’s, and group format since 2018.
Stefan has a particular interest in promoting healing in clients dealing with relational traumas, somatic or physical barriers, chronic pain, gender and sexuality issues, or who are navigating their way through domestic and family violence, and other forms of complex trauma.
Himself a wounded healer who has personally experienced the longterm benefits of psychotherapy, Stefan is a passionate advocate for mental health and resilience.
In addition to his clinical work, Stefan is a sought-after speaker who has presented nationally on men’s mental health, and issues related to the mental health of gender and sexual minorities.
