Hello!

My name is Paloma Callo (she/they). I am a land-based art psychotherapist of Peruvian and Irish descent. I live in xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ territory (Vancouver) and am from lək̓ʷəŋən territory (Victoria).

I choose to be a therapist because I love people and relationship, and it is my sincere wish to exist with kindness as the soil for my garden. In the therapist role I show up as myself: with humour, a warm spark, and lived experiences.

I entered this vocation as an interdisciplinary artist. Visual art, music, dance, poetry, performance, dance, and filmmaking are all in my wheelhouse. I also have a background in liberation work; I grew up in a community-minded immigrant family and have been involved in Black and Indigenous led movements, staunch environmentalism, multigenerational women’s circles, queer discourse, and spiritual practice. As a therapist I’ve worked in schools, transitional housing, seniors housing, community centers, and a perinatal program – with people from all walks of life.

Art therapy and somatic attunement have helped me deepen my own expressive art practices and have transformed my relationships to self, family, friends, love & intimacy, the world, trauma, and life itself. To be creative is a natural law, as natural as our bodies. Art making and being seen help illuminate our inner gateways to freedom, honesty, joy: all that glows within us.

Wherever you are on your journey, I am ready to support you.

Sincerely,

Paloma

Experience

I am a Professional Member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association, a member of the British Columbia Art Therapy Association, and am Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT) qualifying.

Some areas of focus include:

– Relational healing and group work

– Pregnancy, birth and pregnancy loss (including abortion)

– Cultural identity, immigration, Indigenous identity

– Sexuality and sexual trauma

– Shame

– Children and teens

– ASD and ADHD

– Gender

– Grief and loss

– Social exclusion and cancellation

– Artist identity

– Dreamwork

Credentials, Certifications and Trainings

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level I (2026)
Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy – D-KATI, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (2024)
Honours Bachelor of Global and International Studies, specializing in Globalization, Culture and Power – BGInS, Carleton University (2022)
Birth Art Training with Birthing from Within (2025)
Standard First Aid, CPR Level C (2024)
ASIST Suicide Intervention First Aid facilitated by Métis Nation British Columbia (2024)
Newcomer support training with the Vancouver Island Counselling Center for Immigrants and Refugees (2024)
Psychedelics and Art Therapy: Preparation and Integration with Charmaine Husum and Rebecca Wilkinson (2024)
Dreamwork and Art Therapy with Monica Carpendale (2024)