Van-Art Expression

Van-Art Bios

You know the company, get to know the people behind it.

Michelle Oucharek-Deo and her nephew, Micheal

Michelle Oucharek-Deo

Michelle received her Bachelor's in Fine Arts from the University of Victoria in 1990 and graduated with herDiploma of Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute in 1994. She is a registered art therapist in practice over 14 years and has extensive experience in working with families in crisis, mental health cases with physically and mentally challenged adults, and children and adults with autism. Her recent studies in death and dying have opened up another specialty area of grief and bereavement counselling.

Brian Deo with his son, Owen

Brian Deo

Brian graduated with his Bachelor's in Music Therapy from the Capilano College/Open University Music Therapy Program in 1997 and joined Van-Art Expression after becoming accredited in 1998. His work in many long term care facilities and the North Vancouver School Board give him the opportunity to work with both geriatics (dementia, Alzheimers, and other mental illness) and special needs children (Down's Syndrome, PDD, Behavioral Disorders) respectively. Brian also has long aterm private practice working with children and adults diagnosed with autism.

Tom Borugian, our new Music Therapist!

Tom Borugian

Before entering a career in Music Therapy, Tom Borugian completed his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Composition at the University of British Columbia. His compositions have been performed in Canada, the United States, England, France, Norway, and the Czech Republic, by ensembles such as The Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Arditti string quartet, and Penderecki string quartet.

Tom spent the last five years in the United States, studied Music Therapy at Eastern Michigan University, and is now a Board-Certified Music Therapist. Working in Michigan, Nevada, and California, Tom obtained clinical experience with older adults (including those with dementia/Alzheimer's), medically fragile infants and children, incarcerated teens (including sex offenders, and those with a mental illness), and adults with a mental illness and substance dependence. For the last two years, he has been working with incarcerated adults convicted “Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity” at Napa State Hospital, a medium-security forensic psychiatric hospital.

Tom's bio is taken from Sandy Pelly's website Creative Music Therapy Solutions

Art Therapist Carolyn Gibson

Carolyn Gibson

Carolyn graduated from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute in 1994. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Carolyn has a proven track record of effective communication to relate to a wide variety of people with compassion, knowledge and professionalism. Through her training and work at various community and private agencies (e.g. Friends for Life, Dr. Peter Centre, Watari Research Association, and Corrections Canada) Carolyn has developed a range of therapeutic skills that enable her to work with life functioning issues such as; depression, life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, addiction, and at-risk youth. Carolyn has also developed, implemented and facilitated several community based groups, set up a new open art studio and currently manages her own private practice in Vancouver.