Display: Recovery Art Heals

Over the coming weeks, the Health & Wellness Center will feature recovery art projects created by participants in our substance use programs. These contributors include patients and counselors from the Cynthia Day Family Center, the High-Intensity Outpatient Program and its Recovery House, as well as Peer Recovery Support Services.

This initiative was spearheaded by Catherine Reiss, one of Harbor Care’s property managers, in collaboration with the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) group. “Art is a powerful form of self-expression,” Catherine shared. “In my eight years working with Alzheimer’s and dementia clients, I was constantly inspired by the transformative power of art. The opposite of addiction is connection, and through this project, we hope to connect with you.”

Art therapy has been shown to reduce conflicts, enhance cognitive function, boost self-esteem, and build emotional resilience. Catherine collaborated closely with Jaimeika Lewis of JEDI, along with Laina Reavis and Maggie Ringey, case managers from our Peer Recovery Support Services, to bring these projects to life.

Reavis said, “Art therapy gives a person another outlet, that’s creative, to express themselves. It also keeps your hands busy. It stimulates a different part of the brain. The more parts of the brain that are used in healthy ways, the more healing a person can accomplish.”

The art pieces are presented as four posters, each representing a core theme—health, home, purpose, and community—developed by educators at the Substance Use and Mental Health Services.