Bio Repository

MA

Terence was born in England to an English mother and a Canadian father and has lived most of his life in Canada. His father’s ancestors were settlers in Ontario 150 years ago, removed from their land on Islay in Scotland during what was known as ‘the clearances’. His mother’s people came from England and Italy. He lives with his partner on an old homestead near Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.

In his 20’s and 30’s Terence taught yoga and managed a publishing company. In his 40’s he moved to Toronto, worked as a financial advisor and president of an investment company. Subsequently he travelled throughout India, and helped establish a cross-cultural school in the Andes. He was the Executive Director of KATI for 18 months in 2018-19.

DKATI

Kim Elizabeth Cookson is an Art Therapist and treasurer of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, with over 20 years of experience integrating art therapy and psychotherapy.

She specializes in working with diverse populations facing challenges such as depression, trauma, addiction, and identity exploration.

Kim holds a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Art Therapy (Expressive Arts) from Kutenai and is pursuing her Registered Therapy Counselor (RTC) designation. She has worked with organizations including Social Development Housing of New Brunswick, Crescent Valley Resource Centre, and Loch Lomond Villa.

Her contributions have earned multiple awards, including the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute’s Special Recognition Award and the New Brunswick Palliative Care Association’s Innovation Award. A founder of Trinity Enterprise Inc., Atlantic Canada’s first digital publisher, she secured a $100,000 grant for eBook research.

Kim is passionate about mental health, art, and healing, and continues to advocate for the transformative power of art therapy.

Maureen grew up in South Slocan, an idyllic childhood surrounded by an energetic, supportive community. She moved to Calgary in 1976 and remained there until 2010 when after many years and numerous trips back to her beloved Nelson, made the decision to move back. However the pull of children and grandchildren recently has taken her back to live in the Calgary area.

Maureen's career in Calgary was in Human Resources, which she found incredibly interesting and fulfilling. Her focus was on coaching, training and development, employee relations including investigations, performance management, compensation, succession planning and recruitment.

Maureen currently works as an HR Consultant.

Kirkland has over 25 years of experience caring for the land and managing the BC Parks Ranger in the West Kootenays. He’s also worked as a Wilderness/Primitive Skills Instructor and Youth at Risk Counsellor in Nelson.

Additionally, Kirkland has served 25 years as Program Director, health instructor, and hiking guide at Mountain Trek Health Retreat in Ainsworth. A Certified Life Coach and Certified Relational Somatic Therapist, Kirkland combines nature-based wisdom with trauma-informed care to support personal transformation and deep connection to the natural world.

DKATI, RTC, RP(Q)

Born and raised in Alberta, Chari Tomczak is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying), professional art therapist, and registered therapeutic counsellor who believes in the power of creativity and our innate capacity to heal.

A published author with a graduate-level Diploma from the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, she is also a mother, wife, and friend. Her personal journey through turbulent times has reinforced her belief in art as a healing tool.

As the founder of Tidewaters, Chari's graduate research focused on ocean metaphors, reflecting her view of the human experience. She embraces all aspects of personal stories, guided by the teaching that "tears keep the heart soft."

With Polish and Ojibwe heritage, Chari is committed to culturally humble psychotherapy practices, considering the impact on seven generations. Residing in Water Valley, Alberta, with her family and pets, she enjoys homeschooling, paddle boarding, biking, gardening, reading, and aspiring to homestead farming.