Welcome to connect studio.
I am so glad that you are here!

At connect studio, we provide Art Therapy, psychotherapy and play-based services.

We specialize in working with children/youth (ages 4-17) and their caregivers. Our aim is to support clients in navigating life challenges, transitions and parenthood.

We believe that individuals heal through relationship and connection and our qualified clinicians provide a person-led, strengths based, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to counselling.

Our Values

Cultivating Courage

We believe in having the courage to seek support, ask difficult questions, get curious and show up with our whole hearts for our clients and community.

Celebrating Culture

We believe in turning towards the beauty within our clients' diverse experiences, beliefs and cultures and recognizing ways in which our own privilege and biases may get in the way of our work.

Compassionate Care

We believe in practicing radical hospitality that invites our clients to the centre of our clinical work - to feel seen, nurtured, and loved despite - and because of - their life experiences.

Community Connections

We believe in standing up with our clients, continuing to walk towards reconciliation and fostering opportunities for collective healing and connection through the arts.

Olga Perju

founder, connect studio

MA, RP, CCC-S, RCAT

Hi, I'm Olga. I'm so glad you're here!

I am a registered art therapist, registered psychotherapist, mama of two, and people connector. There are few things I love more than observing and learning from others, sipping on a (usually cold, let's be honest) coffee, wandering around in nature with my kids, and feeling calm, inspired and connected.

My journey here hasn't always been an easy one. I am an immigrant to Canada and spent the better part of my life trying to figure out where I belong. The one thing that I have always done is worked with children and youth, and my journey of becoming a parent has single-handedly been the most challenging experience of my life - and something I am continuing to learn from each and every day.

I know that you have days where life feels out of control, your goals are insurmountable, and you are completely lost. I know this because I have had those days too. Life is complicated, unpredictable and parenting doesn't come with a handbook, but those tough days don't last forever, and you will make it through.

I am here to walk with you through the muck and worry, and feel more connected to yourself, your little ones and each other.

Certifications

Registered Psychotherapist (#005751), College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Registered Canadian Art Therapist (#237-R-18), Canadian Art Therapy Association
Canadian Certified Counsellor - Supervisor (#3398), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Student Member (SM-AB-2185), Canadian Association for Play Therapy

Professional Development

Red Stream: Advanced Theory and Technique in Play Therapy (2022)
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society Culture Camp (2022)
Ethics: Specialized Topics in Documentation and Consent (2022)
TheraPlay: Level 1 Certificate (2022)
Green Stream: Foundations of Play Therapy Certificate (2021)
Ethics: Consent Issues - Counselling (2021)
Ethics: Writing Efficient and Useful Session Notes (2021)
Treatment of Trauma through Play Therapy Skills and Techniques (2020)
Art of Art Therapy Supervision: Levels 1 + 2 (2020)
Introduction to Gender Based Analysis + Certificate (2020)
Brain Story Certification (2017)

Additional Training

Counselling at a Distance: Using video, telephone and text-based methods (2020)
Telehealth for Mental Health Professionals Certificate (2020)
Omantiew (2019)
EDUC 5850 Counselling Supervision: Theory and Practice (2018)
Birth Doula Certificate (2017)
Motivational Interviewing (2016)
Positive Mental Health (2016)
Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training (200HR) (2015)
Permaculture Design Certification (2014)
Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapist (2011)

Values