I am a nurse and art therapy practitioner who blends clinical care with creative healing. I have spent four decades working in acute and community settings, supporting children, youth, families and caregivers through art-based approaches that restore balance and resilience. My practice weaves mindfulness, visual art, and collaborative care, with a focus on First Nations communities, youth mental health, and survivors of trauma. I am committed to education and mentorship, and I create open studios that empower residents, staff, and clients to express themselves and heal.…

Joyce H. VandeGriend

I am a nurse and art therapy practitioner who blends clinical care with creative healing. I have spent four decades working in acute and community settings, supporting children, youth, families and caregivers through art-based approaches that restore balance and resilience. My practice weaves mindfulness, visual art, and collaborative care, with a focus on First Nations communities, youth mental health, and survivors of trauma. I am committed to education and mentorship, and I create open studios that empower residents, staff, and clients to express themselves and heal.…

Available to hire

I am a nurse and art therapy practitioner who blends clinical care with creative healing. I have spent four decades working in acute and community settings, supporting children, youth, families and caregivers through art-based approaches that restore balance and resilience.

My practice weaves mindfulness, visual art, and collaborative care, with a focus on First Nations communities, youth mental health, and survivors of trauma. I am committed to education and mentorship, and I create open studios that empower residents, staff, and clients to express themselves and heal.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Extra in movies at Casting Collective Andrea Brown
October 31, 2025 - October 31, 2025
specifically called to be an extra as an RN
see resume re: art therapy at see resume
January 5, 2026 - Present
Art Therapist at West Vancouver Community Centre / Seniors Centre
January 1, 2024 - Present
Art therapy for child and youth groups; one-to-one with caregivers for persons with Alzheimer’s/brain illnesses; set up open studios; organized murals and client art presentations; care for the caregivers groups.
RN Immunizer at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, North Vancouver, BC
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023
COVID-19 vaccination campaign; immunizer in community settings.
RN at Lion’s Gate Hospital: Carlile Youth Concurrent Disorders Centre
January 1, 2018 - Present
Care for youth with concurrent disorders; psychiatric acute care; supervision of interprofessional teams.
Adjunct Professor at Adler University, Vancouver Campus, BC
January 1, 2016 - Present
Taught Master in Art Therapy program; panel academic consultant for graduate theses.
Addictions Nurse at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
January 1, 2016 - Present
Casual vacation relief across three sites: Directions Youth Detox; S.T.A.R.T. Home Detox; Central City Lodge (Residential Detox).
Clinical Placement Facilitator / RN at Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Faculty of Community Health Studies
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2013
Placed student nurses in final preceptorships across multiple regions; liaised with faculty, preceptors and clinical nurse educators; supported student learning.
Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health Clinician at Interior Community Services, Lillooet, BC
January 1, 2015 - Present
Developed, implemented, and evaluated assessment and treatment for Aboriginal (and non-Aboriginal) children and youth referred by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, elementary and secondary schools, and Aboriginal Communities; one-to-one and group art therapy; outreach and critical incident debriefing; collaboration with bands and healthcare providers.
Resident Art Therapist at Docs on the Bay, Horseshoe Bay, BC
January 1, 2014 - Present
Art Therapist; provided one-to-one art therapy for children and youth (private practice).
RN, Art Therapist at Looking Glass Foundation – Woodstone Residence for Youth with Eating Disorders, Galiano Island, BC
January 1, 2013 - Present
Provided direct nursing care for 14 patients and their families; facilitated art therapy groups.
Clinical Placement Facilitator / RN at Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Faculty of Community Health Studies
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2013
Placed student nurses in final preceptorships; liaised with faculty and clinical staff; supported student learning.
RN at Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Emergency (C.A.P.E. unit), BC Children’s Hospital
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 2011
Assessed and managed 3-10 children ages 4-16 and their families in psychiatric crisis.
Art Therapist at Burnaby Centre for Mental Health & Addiction, Burnaby, BC
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009
Managed, directed, and coordinated 1:1, group and studio art therapy for 100 patients.
Nurse Clinician at Oak Tree Clinic, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 1998
Coordinated outpatient HIV/AIDS care to infants and their parents, children, youth and adults; part of interprofessional care team.
HIV/AIDS Nurse Clinician at Canadian Arthritis Society, Hemophilia Clinic, Vancouver, BC
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1996
Assessed, planned and coordinated care for persons with hemophilia and HIV/AIDS and their families.

Education

Diploma in Fine Arts at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, BC
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1986
Diploma in Nursing at Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing, Vancouver, BC
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1982
Diploma in Art Therapy at Vancouver Art Therapy Institute, West Vancouver, BC
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2005
Diploma in Art Therapy at Vancouver Art Therapy Institute
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2005
Diploma Fine Arts at Emily Carr University of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1986
Diploma Registered Nursing at Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1982

Qualifications

CPR Level C
January 11, 2030 - January 5, 2026
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
September 1, 2015 - January 5, 2026
PALS (Paediatric Advanced Life Support)
August 1, 2015 - January 5, 2026
Training for First Nations front-line workers and counsellors of residential school Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors
January 11, 2030 - January 5, 2026
Through the Pain to Wellness (Aboriginal suicide prevention workshop)
January 11, 2030 - January 5, 2026
CPR Level C
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
September 1, 2015 - January 6, 2026
PALS (Paediatric Advanced Life Support)
August 1, 2015 - January 6, 2026
First Nations Front-line Workers and Counsellors Specialized Healing/Grief Workshop
April 1, 2015 - January 6, 2026
Through the Pain to Wellness (Community-based response to Aboriginal suicide)
August 1, 2015 - January 6, 2026
Pediatric Emergency Workshop
January 11, 2030 - January 6, 2026

Industry Experience

Healthcare, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment
    paper Premature infants in the NICU

    I illustrated in what was termed the Special Care Nursery at BC Children’s Hospital in 2000. Since then, the drawings were selected for a show in Quebec with the UBC School of Medicine “White Coat, Warm heArt” in 2023.
    The illustrations were originally commissioned for a teaching brochure for parents. However, the funding was cut so the originals were mailed to the parents with their consent to be further published. I was mentored by an illustrator from Copenhagen, Denmark, Heather Spears to continue the project.