Come to the woods, for here is rest.
There is no repose like that of the deep green woods.

– John Muir

Access free counselling sessions until the end of 2023

About Us

The Woods Arts & Wellness is about increasing personal and community wellbeing through engagement with nature and the arts. Research demonstrates these to be proven pathways to wellness; alleviating stress, changing perspectives, building connections, and improving mood.

Our evidence-based programs are led by trained therapists and facilitators, and access to our services are offered regardless of age, ability, background, or financial situation.

WHAT WE DO

Community

We believe greater impact is achieved by working together and we love to collaborate with others. If you have ideas on how we could effectively partner to improve our community, we would be excited to hear from you.

“The Woods weaves together mainstream, creative, traditional, spiritual, and nature-based approaches to healing and wellbeing in the most beautiful and effective ways possible, and they have a clear understanding of how offering a variety of arts in the context of a sacred and well-tended landscape can benefit individuals, families, and communities.”

Dr. Keith Thurlow-Bishop
MA, MSC, PHD, RCC-ACS, BCATR,
Registered Clinical Counselor and Art therapist, Clinical Supervisor
“The Woods is timely and there is mounting evidence that art, music, and movement-based therapy is highly effective in mitigating the effects of trauma. Its unique services complement and enhance existing programs within our community.”

Leya Eguchi
Director of Family Programs
Hollyburn family Services
“Best practices indicate that improved outcomes result from treating the whole person, which includes the need for creative expression, movement, and a deepening relationship with nature. The Woods programs offer these essential experiences to those who do not have access to these modalities through existing services.”

Charlotte Jackson
RCC, Concurrent Disorders Counselor
Vancouver Coastal Health
“As a community arts council working to connect people through the arts, we understand the arts are essential to individual and community wellbeing. The addition of a North Vancouver-based focal point for using creativity to support, create, and learn, helping residents to the North Shore feel happier and connected, will create positive ripple effects in our community for generations to come.”

Nancy Cottinham Powel
Executive Director
North Shore Arts Council

Join Us

If you also believe in the power of the arts and nature to transform our communities, we invite you to make a tax-deductible donation. 100% of your donation goes to community programs as our administrative expenses are fully covered by a generous group of individuals and businesses.

Give Now

Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the deep green woods.

– John Muir

Access free counselling sessions until the end of 2023

About Us

WHAT WE DO

Community

We believe greater impact is achieved by working together and we love to collaborate with others. If you have ideas on how we could effectively partner to improve our community, we would be excited to hear from you.

Dr. Keith Thurlow-Bishop MA, MSC, PHD, RCC-ACS, BCATR, Registered Clinical Counselor and Art therapist, Clinical Supervisor

“The Woods is timely and there is mounting evidence that art, music, and movement-based therapy is highly effective in mitigating the effects of trauma. Its unique services complement and enhance existing programs within our community.”

Leya Eguchi Director of Family Programs Hollyburn family Services

Charlotte Jackson RCC, Concurrent Disorders Counselor Vancouver Coastal Health

Nancy Cottinham Powel Executive Director North Shore Arts Council

Join Us

If you also believe in the power of the arts and nature to transform our communities, we invite you to make a tax-deductible donation. 100% of your donation goes to community programs as our administrative expenses are fully covered by a generous group of individuals and businesses.

Come to the woods, for here is rest.
There is no repose like that of the deep green woods.

Dr. Keith Thurlow-Bishop
MA, MSC, PHD, RCC-ACS, BCATR,
Registered Clinical Counselor and Art therapist, Clinical Supervisor

Leya Eguchi
Director of Family Programs
Hollyburn family Services

Charlotte Jackson
RCC, Concurrent Disorders Counselor
Vancouver Coastal Health

Nancy Cottinham Powel
Executive Director
North Shore Arts Council