Dr. Duanita G. Eleniak, PhD Creative Counselling and Education

Dr. Duanita G. Eleniak is a registered clinical social worker, a registered art therapist, a philosopher, a writer and an educator.

Duanita G. Eleniak, PhD, received her doctorate in the Philosophy of Consciousness Studies from the International University of Professional Studies. She has a Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Hawaii, a Masters Certificate in Art Therapy from the British Columbia School of Art Therapy, a Diploma in Fine Arts (Performance) from the New Image School of Fine Arts and her Bachelors in Social Welfare from the University of Calgary.

Dr. Duanita began her career in the helping profession working as a clinical social worker in sexual assault centers and battered women's shelters where she gained a specialty in sexual abuse counseling and as a sexual assault consultant and supervisor.  She then went back to train in non-verbal therapies including art therapy, play therapy and sand tray work in order to broaden her ability to work with images in the healing process with people. These skills led her to working in the mental health and medical fields where she gained experience and understanding with a broad range of ages and issues.  There she gained experience with addictions counselling, depression counseling and anxiety counselling.

Dr. Duanita is the Program Director for the Master in Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy program at Adler University, Vancouver Campus. She is a mentor for doctoral students in the Expressive Arts Therapy program at the International University of Professional Studies. She teaches courses in the Master of Education in School Counselling for City University, Vancouver. 

Dr. Duanita's main mentor in the area of expressive arts during her training years was Dr. Marie-Jose Dhaese, PhD. Dr. Dhaese's influence can be seen in Dr. Duanita's emphasis on the importance of the healing setting and the effective set up of the playroom. Dr. Dhaese works with dogs in the therapy setting and her influence can be seen by the fact that Dr. Duanita works with two canine co-therapists.

Nikki was a character who brought joy to people in minutes.

Angel was a golden retriever who spent the first 8 years of her life helping blind people as a formally trained seeing eye dog.  She was especially gifted in giving love to all those who needed it. She was astute in going up to a grieving person at just the right moment to facilitate expressions of loss within a strong container of caring. She gave her body for hugs freely to foster children and children in need of warmth and comfort.

Another important mentor in Dr. Duanita's development was Dr. Evangeline Rand, PhD. Together with Dr. Rand, Dr. Duanita developed insight and knowledge into non-ordinary states of consciousness. Working formally with her dreams for 17 years, Dr. Duanita was able to develop experience, knowledge and insight into the importance, relevance and messages inherent in images, symbols, archetypes, the language of spirit, and soul.

Dream work and developing relationships with images continue to be an important cornerstone of Dr. Duanita's practice.

Dr. Inula Martinkat, Phd has been Dr. Duanita's most important mentor in her explorations into the area of consciousness studies.  During her PhD work, Duanita gained experience and knowledge which allows her to assist people in the areas of self-esteem counselling, empowerment education, transformational counselling, transpersonal counselling and consciousness studies.

Currently Dr. Duanita is especially interested in working with teaching and supporting people to shift emotions in order to facilitate an increase in their quality of life and an ability to sustain feelings of love, joy, and peace.

She is committed to assisting people to connect with their 'bliss' or 'passion' or 'creativity' or 'creative self' or 'higher self'...whatever term they want to call that inner source of inspiration. She loves to teach people how to work in an integrous way with intention.

On a larger scale, Dr. Duanita is committed to assisting the paradigm shift from the current dominant world view, sometimes referred to as 'scientific materialism', to a world view which incorporates spirit and has a deep respect for mystery.

Professional Accreditation: Registered Social Worker Approved for Private Practice; Registered with Canadian Association of Art Therapists, B.C. Association of Art Therapists, and the American Association of Art Therapists.

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