Emma Ates
RP, RCAT, DTATI
Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Canadian Art Therapist
Welcome!
I am a Registered Psychotherapist and Art Therapist,
and I believe healing happens when we reconnect not just with our minds, but with our bodies, hearts, and creative
potential. I offer therapy in both English and French for youth (18+), adults, and couples navigating challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship stress, and life transitions.
In our work together, you’ll find a warm, grounded space where both talk, and creative expression can help you feel more connected and aligned. I blend contemplative
creative therapy, somatic practices, meditation-based intervention, and polyvagal-informed therapy to support you in feeling your emotions in your body, releasing what is stuck, and exploring new ways of relating to yourself
and the world.
Whether you prefer to draw, paint, reflect, or move, I tailor our sessions to what feels most supportive for you. Many people I work with say that contemplative, creative and somatic tools help them understand, process, and shift difficult emotions more deeply than words alone. I’m here to walk with you—gently, creatively, and with care—as you discover more ease, clarity, and resilience in your life.
Current clients:
Please use the following link (click here) to see Emma’s availability and email her directly to request an appointment time.
“With an attitude of acceptance, compassion, and curiosity, I help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and beliefs.”
My Background
Emma is a registered psychotherapist (CRPO), a registered art therapist (CATA), and a Contemplative Creative Psychotherapist (CCCS). Emma received her diploma from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. She is specialized and certified in contemplative psychotherapy, Buddhist Psychology, and Compassion Resilience Training with Nalanda Institute. She also specialized in applied mindfulness meditation (AMM), compassion-focused therapy (CFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Adler. She also completed the Creative Institute’s Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate ( Expressive Arts Therapy foundation course).
Emma is a researcher, teacher, and developer who founded the Centre for Contemplative Creative Science (CCCS) to train psychotherapists to use CCT in their clinical practice. She developed a Contemplative CreativeTherapy (CCT) model which is informed by the many forms of contemplative science and arts disciplines in traditional and modern Buddhism, and the latest research based on contemplative science and contemplative arts, Buddhist psychology, neuroscience, mindfulness- and compassion-based interventions.
Emma has been an instructor for the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Applied Mindfulness Meditation certificate (course: Mindfulness & Art Therapy) and the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. She has been asked to develop and facilitate workshops on mental health and contemplative creative approaches with Glendon York University (2020/2021), the Mindful Society Global Institute (2021/2016), and Sick Kids Hospital Toronto.
Treatments & Techniques
Meditation-Based Interventions (MBIs)
Art Psychotherapy
Contemplative Creative Therapy (CCT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Attachment-Based, Relational
Couple Therapy
Trauma-Informed
Harness the mind-body connection to create new pathways in your life.
At New Pathways Therapy Center, we believe therapy is a collaborative process. We don’t just sit back and listen. We look forward to supporting you on your journey towards healing, balance and growth.