About CaitSpace
My name is Caitlin and I am an Artist in long term recovery. I have always felt drawn to the arts, since a very young age. I was fascinated by dance, poetry and all sorts of visual arts. I wanted to understand where the artist was coming from, I felt deeply connected to figuring out the meaning behind each piece. As an adult I found myself in a toxic relationship that prevented me from exploring my artistic side, and once I found freedom from that I struggled for years with my identity. Who was I outside of that toxic relationship? Or outside of the alcohol that I initially used to self medicate?
I found those answers in large part, through art, the creative process, therapy and recovery community. Art made such a positive impact on my healing journey that I was overwhelmed with a desire to create a way to provide that experience to everyone. So, in October 2023 I decided to begin the journey of becoming certified as a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner, as well as a Certified Peer & Family Specialist. My first art group was in a conference room at a local Peer Recovery organization, and with that first session I knew I was made for this. My continuous goal is to foster a community with a focus on healing through art, and to leave a legacy of love and creativity.
What Is Expressions Sessions?
Expressions Sessions therapeutic art group encourages self-discovery, personal growth, and a sense of community through creative expression.
We participate in various art forms, such as drawing, painting, and neurographic designs. I offered a step-by-step, guided experience but participants have the creative freedom to work on anything they feel inspired to create. The group integrates mindful art practices to increase peace and just have fun creating while listening to music. By combining creativity with mindfulness, Expressions Sessions offers a space for individuals to process emotions, build coping skills, and promote healing.
Mindful art creation can promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections. Here’s how it works:
- Focus and Attention: Mindfulness encourages sustained attention on the creative process, strengthening neural pathways associated with concentration and engagement.
- Emotional Regulation: Engaging in art mindfully can enhance emotional awareness and regulation, impacting areas of the brain involved in emotional processing and reducing stress responses.
- Creative Problem-Solving: The exploration of different materials and techniques stimulates brain regions linked to creativity and innovation, encouraging the formation of new connections.
- Sensory Integration: Mindful art involves engaging multiple senses, enhancing sensory processing and integration in the brain, which can lead to improved cognitive function.
What Is Recover Simply?
Recover Simply is a non-profit 501c3 offering recovery support services and community building through art, art creation, writing groups, poetry and performances. CaitSpace Ltd and Recover Simply work together to provide accessible groups centered on the creative arts and are designed to remind us that fun can be had without the use of substances. The purpose of the group is to provide a relaxed, friendly, and fun environment where we connect to each other and ourselves – because part of the work of recovery is relearning how to have fun.
To support these ongoing community groups you can contact us or donate here.