Creative Therapies
Written by Melissa Savage, MA, LMFT, RPT
At Amanda Hope we hold a safe space for difficult stories, and we are here to bear witness to the experiences families share with us.
We strive to be of service and support to all our warriors and their families. In our Comfort and Care counseling program, we recognize the importance of experiential therapies and see their power to heal and teach, as we walk alongside our families on their journey. We offer play therapy, sand tray therapy, mindfulness, bibliotherapy, music, writing and creative arts therapies. Research shows that creative arts and play-based therapeutic activities have the power to reach a deeper level of communication and processing in people of all ages, engaging client’s both emotionally and physically. For children especially, play is integral to their healing process as play is the language in which they speak, and toys are their words. When speaking the words is too difficult, creative techniques help clients speak visceral volumes and process emotions on a deeper level.
Research shows that creative therapies allow for many things, including:
New emotional insights and processing
Exploration of self-expression
Higher level of adaptive coping skills
Relationship building
Behavioral change
Increased self-awareness and self-esteem
A sense of normalcy
Peace and healing in the journey of grief
Our warriors and their families continue to inspire us in so many ways. Thank you for trusting us and allowing us to walk with you on your journey of hope, healing and growth. If you or a family member might be interested in our counseling services, reach out to us today. And please join us for our upcoming Virtual Anime Workshop on September 30th. We are so excited about new upcoming programming at Amanda Hope as we aim to meet the needs of our families in every way we can.
OUR COMFORT AND CARE COUNSELING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR WARRIORS, THEIR SIBLINGS, AND THEIR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE CARE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO WORK THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES.
Melissa Savage is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and a Registered Play Therapist with the Association for Play Therapy. She has availability for the following in-office or telehealth services at Amanda Hope: Children, Individuals, Couples, and Family Therapy. Please see Melissa’s full Bio here.