BIBLIOTHERAPY
Bibliotherapy is the counseling technique of utilizing the power of literature, storytelling, and poetry to understand one’s self, thoughts and emotions. Reading to a child creates a bond of trust as well as sharing of interests that may have been previously unattainable due to the degree of the child’s emotional state. Creative writing projects, poetry exercises, and storytelling are all tools the therapist can use to extract harbored negative feelings so they can be dealt with and redirected positively. Metaphors, allegories, and symbolism offer the therapist insight into the child’s mind, and also provide to the child a sense of safety to express feelings that they typically would not be at ease to share. Reading groups and book clubs further enhance the healing aspect of literature, fostering a greater sense of self-esteem, social skills, and interpersonal relationships.
MUSIC THERAPY
Music Therapy is the clinical use of music to assist individuals of all ages in overcoming emotional trauma to gain a better sense of peace and well being. Music therapy has existed in its common current form in the United States since around 1944, when the first undergraduate degree program in the world was founded at Michigan State University and the first graduate degree program at the University of Kansas. Music therapy can help children with communication problems, attention, motivation, and behavioral problems. When implemented properly by a trained and credentialed (MT-BC) professional, this powerful, non-threatening medium can be used to treat everything from childhood trauma and cancer, to brain injuries and substance abuse problems. Clinical tests have shown music therapy to decrease aggression, lift depression, and improve negative behaviors. Through the process of playing and sharing music therapeutically, children especially show marked improvement in their self-esteem, increased focus, enhanced social and listening skills, as well as improved academic and cognitive function.
In Music Therapy, each individual is provided personalized support and encouragement in the gaining of new skills and abilities. Because music touches each person individually, participation in music therapy offers opportunities for improvisation, expression, creativity, and learning that may be significantly different from more traditional therapeutic approaches.
NUTRITION & HEALTH AWARENESS THERAPY
Nutrition therapy is a system of healing based on the belief that food, as nature intended, provides the medicine we need to obtain and maintain a state of health: Our food is our medicine and our medicine is our food. This holistic modality combines science (biochemistry and nutrition) with naturopathy (natural, drug-free medicine) in order to return patients to good health. Many conditions can be relieved effectively with nutrition therapy, including chronic fatigue, energy loss, insomnia, depression, backache, skin complaints, asthma, and headaches. Nutrition therapy also is beneficial for those with no specific illness, but who want to maintain a state of optimum health. It is safe for babies and children as well as adults, and the change of eating patterns that is typically prescribed usually has far fewer side effects than synthetic medicines.
Nutrition as the key to good health is the all-embracing fundamental principle used since the time of the famous Greek doctor and founder of western medicine, Hippocrates, to help people stay at their personal peak of energy and vitality. Today, new insights of food scientists play a significant role in the practice of nutrition therapy as preventative medicine.
- Source: P. Quinn
Discover Nutritional Therapy, Nutritional Therapy & Natural Medicine
We are proud and honored to announce our alliance with professional chef, Michelle Bommarito of The Food Network. Nationwide, from schools to shelters to sold-out seminars, Michelle shares her expertise on how to prepare quick, affordable healthy meals, a positive mindset, and an overall sense of wellness and well-being for mind, body, and soul. Children will get the unique opportunity to work alongside Michelle as she introduces all kinds of produce and educates them on the nutritional health benefits of keeping a balanced diet. She provides a demonstration on how to prepare a couple of meals which the children will participate in and even get to taste the finished product! Her message is that what you put in your body shows how much you care about yourself. Michelle teaches that eating well is a way of life, and that ‘Being Fit Never Tasted So Good’!
Interested in having Michelle Bommarito visit your school or facility? Direct email inquiries to Info@StClairButterflyFoundation.org
HORTICULTURAL THERAPY — Seeds for Growth!
Revered for its healing value since ancient Egypt, Horticultural Therapy is defined by the American Horticultural Therapy Association as “a process utilizing plants and horticultural activities to improve social, educational, psychological and physical adjustment of persons thus improving their body, mind, and spirit.”
Children seeking to overcome trauma have shown dramatic progress in their sense of self-esteem, personal capacity, and accomplishment after being given the role as caregiver. The tranquil setting of a garden has been shown in clinical studies to be an important therapeutic venue in which children with deep emotional wounds tend to be relieved of aggressive behavior through activities such as hoeing, digging, and planting, all the while becoming more receptive to talking and working through their problems as anxiety and tension dissipate through the activities.
SPA THERAPY
Spa Therapy is the overall recognition of the healing value in spending time addressing one’s physical self. Stress from trauma can wreak havoc not only on our emotional state, but our physical state as well. A build-up of toxins in our skin and muscles can cause an imbalance of essential oils and muscular cramping. Neglect from emotional stresses leaves one’s hair and nails in a state of disrepair which results in a decreased sense of self-worth and willingness to participate in social settings. Therapeutic massages, skin treatments, hair care, and manicures all help to alleviate the self-conscious attitude and remove negative toxins, and at the same time instill a better sense of self-esteem, peace and relaxation.
ANIMAL THERAPY
Animal Therapy is the field of mental health that recognizes the potential for emotional healing that can result from a bond between animals and humans. Often used to treat children of various types and degrees of behavioral and emotional issues, a therapist introduces a trained therapy dog or horse in an effort to build trust and develop a healthy, non-verbal communication between client and animal. Oftentimes children are so moved by the unconditional kindness of the animal they experience a tearful emotional breakthrough in the very first session. Those with aggressive behavior problems learn the cause and effect aspect of their moods, as animals respond to negative emotions by disengaging the relationship, thereby teaching the child behavior modification in order to work successfully with the animal. Activities with a horse for example include grooming, feeding, and leading the horse, with an ultimate goal for the child to develop skills of personal responsibility, assertiveness, self-control, and self-confidence.
YOGA THERAPY
Yoga Therapycan be instrumental in instilling a higher self-concept and an attitude of inner discipline. It has become widely accepted in treating a variety of ailments in adults and children, both emotional and physical. Through various poses and postures, focus is directed from negative thoughts and feelings to peaceful, tranquil ones — giving the client an overall sense of well-being and balance. A combination of physical movement, progressive relaxation, deep breathing, visualization, and stretching all help to rebalance the internal energy, relieve stress, and develop coping techniques to be applied throughout the client’s life.
