Stefanie Maksym (formerly Ly)

Sep 4

Registered Psychotherapist / Registered Art Therapist

Accepting New Clients

Looking for a creative approach to therapy? Stefanie offers psychotherapy and art therapy, specializing in supporting with autism, ADHD, and parenthood.

Are you a parent feeling overwhelmed as you navigate the complexities of an Autism and/or ADHD diagnosis with your child? Do you feel alone in your journey of parenting a neurodivergent child, or as a neurodivergent parent? Many families experience the emotional highs and lows of these diagnoses, often feeling isolated. Through Art Psychotherapy, I support parents and/or their children communicate and connect through a neurodiversity affirming lens informed by lived experience and education. By embracing creativity, we create a space where you and your child can thrive. Let's journey together towards understanding and acceptance.
As an Art Therapist I support clients who may be:
- Neurodivergent (ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, OCD, Gifted & Learning Disabilities) and/or identify as highly sensitive, and are experiencing anxiety and/or cycles of burnout;
- Navigating the emotional and identity shifts of the perinatal period, and are looking for support in navigating the uncertainties and changes pregnancy and new parenthood brings, or are looking for a creative way to bond with baby
- Trying to find a way to carve out time for themselves, and learn new ways to take care of themselves and regulate their emotions through art making;
- Looking to identify their values and discover and/or re-align with life goals.
Stefanie is a Registered Psychotherapist and clinically trained Professional Art Therapist (CiiAT ’25) with a background in Fine Art (WLU ‘06) and Developmental Psychology (UW ‘16). Stefanie is a registered Art Therapist in Ontario with the Ontario Art Therapy Association.
Continuing Education Courses
- A Music Therapist’s Guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Kathleen Skinner (2025)
- Extended Adolescence - When 25 Looks More Like 18: Clinical Strategies for Clients Struggling to Meet the Demands of Adulthood (2025)
- Journeying with the Parents of Autistic Children, Jen Taylor (2025)
- Standard First Aid, CPR and AED, Heartsaver® CPR AED - Level C - Adult, Child, Infant course (2025)
- Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication, (2025)
- ADHD in Children and Adolescents: Advances in Diagnosis, Treatment and Management (2025)
- Rethinking ADHD: A New Treatment Approach (2025)
- Understanding Ableism and Neurodiversity in Child and Play Therapy (2025)
- Introduction to AutPlay Therapy (2025)
- Dementia Foundations, McMaster University (2025)
- Assessing Suicide Risk in Kids (ASK) , SafeTalk (2021)
- Discipline and Guidance Group Leader Certification, Simplicity Parenting Institute (2021)
- Neufeld Institute: Power to Parent 1, 2, 3; Making Sense of Adolescence; Making Sense of Aggression; Bullies, their Making and Unmaking; Making Sense of Anxiety; The Science of Emotion; Making Sense of Preschoolers; The Teachability Factor (2012 - 2016)
As a young mom I used art making to foster connection with my children and our community and to care for myself. This helped me navigate the complexities of motherhood and adapt to adult life, including helping me work through anxiety, grief, shame, and doubt.
As my children and I continued to grow, art likewise played an important role in our lives as an alternative way to communicate big, complex feelings, express love and gratitude, and help regulate ourselves when life felt like too much. In 2023 I returned to school to become an Art Psychotherapist in hopes to support other families like ours.
Outside of work, you will find me partaking in “grandma hobbies” like knitting, crochet, and sewing; spending time with my animals in nature, and trying out new recipes to cook or bake for and with my family, reading and/or taking courses (I love learning!) and serving as a member on the Ontario Art Therapy Association Board.
I bring my lived experience and personal values of curiosity, compassion and creativity along with a commitment to provide a judgment-free space in each session to make room for you to unmask and explore your authentic self through art making.
I offer support for children and families in which one or more members identify as highly sensitive and/or neurodivergent. Together, we’ll explore creative methods for emotional well-being. My approach is strengths-based, nurturing and collaborative, ensuring you and your child feel seen, understood and empowered to meet challenges with compassion and creativity.
I am guided by a relational, attachment informed, and neurodiversity affirming approach to support you in discovering the transformative power of art therapy and psychotherapy.
Reach out to stefanie@kstherapyservices.ca or click the “book a free consultation” button.