Who we are
The centre
Expression LaSalle is a non-profit community organization offering free professional mental health therapy services in Montreal.
Our mission
Mission
Promote the prevention, protection and improvement of mental health by fostering personal expression in all its forms through therapeutic services.
Offer a range of therapy, artistic, educational, mutual-aid and social reintegration services in groups and individual sessions, to support psychological, emotional and physical well-being through different means of expression.
Involve participants, volunteers and community partners in developing and delivering the program and in administering the organization, to better meet needs and foster belonging.
History
Creative arts therapies in a community setting: pioneering and innovative.
- 1990–1991
Expression LaSalle was founded in 1990 with Quebec government funding following the deinstitutionalization of certain mental health services. The Centre opened in fall 1990 and was incorporated on 22 May 1991. With an alternative, non-medical approach, it began as a mutual-aid centre under founding director Colleen Gold, art therapist.
- 1994
In spring 1994, Julia L. Olivier, art therapist, became director and was mandated to develop therapies and psychotherapeutic programs.
- Since then
Over the decades the Centre expanded to include drama therapy, dance/movement therapy and music therapy, while remaining a rich training site for university interns. Since its founding, Expression LaSalle has helped thousands of people toward everyday well-being. Today most services use creative processes as a primary method of communication.