December 23, 2015
Treating the “Whole Person”
Hopewell is committed to serving the “whole person” (i.e. mind,bodyand spirit) within the context of a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. We also recognize the importance of integrating the power of nature andcurrentstate of the art therapies in helping individuals with serious mental illness recover and experience sustained healing. We value each individual as unique, creative and gifted in their own way.
As such, a key component of Hopewell’s therapeutic milieu will continue to be the incorporation of expressive arts. Utilization of such media as painting, psychodrama, dance, sculpting, music, journaling, sketching and expressive arts are geared to “bridge the gap between the conscious and unconscious.” They can bring insight to areas of therapy that are blocked, inhibited or stuck and bring greater focus to those areas of need and or concern. Expressive arts can spark creative imagination, problem-solving and integrative learning through a variety of sensory experiences. The deepening and enriching experiences that expressive arts therapy offers supports a richer and more vibrant therapeutic environment throughout the Hopewell Community.
Hopewell’s professional commitment to the expressive therapies has been further enhanced through the hiring of Mary Cassidy, a certified art therapist and counselor in September 2015. Mary earned a B.A. in Art History from John Carrol University and a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Ursuline College. This addition of staff expertise and programming has resulted in our residents having exposure to an even wider range of treatment options and techniques.
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