Pathways to Peace

09/28/2025

09/28/2025

“The Art of Becoming” Initiative begins this week! For more information on the Arts in Healing Creative Arts Program in Lake Mary, call or text 407-867-1368!

09/24/2025

What is Arts in Healing?

Arts in Healing is a creative arts program in Lake Mary that utilizes therapeutic art experiences to support mental health and wellbeing!
The program serves as a support to traditional mental health treatment in a community setting.

The art mediums and materials we use are carefully selected to support engagement in artistic expression of a specific mental health theme.
These workshops are designed to give participants an avenue to express what words sometimes cannot.
We are not clinical art therapists, but rather a mental health clinician and an artist / dancer who share a vision: to create a space for a therapeutic art experience where our participants can feel safe, understood, connected, and supported!
Our participants experience opportunities for self-expression, emotion regulation, connection, leisure, and enhanced cognitive and motor skills.

We are excited for the start of our next initiative, “The Art of Becoming” on October 1st!

For more information, call or text us at 407-867-1368!

Here are some pictures from our last initiative..

❤️

09/21/2025

09/20/2025

🙏🏼💞

09/19/2025

music doesn't just make us "feel good"; it engages our brain and body in complex, powerful ways:

neurochemical effects: listening to music we enjoy triggers the release of dopamine, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward (the same chemical released from eating food or having s*x). it can also reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase oxytocin, promoting bonding and trust.�

brainwave entrainment: our brainwaves can synchronize to the rhythm of music. slow, steady rhythms encourage our brain to slow down into an alpha state, associated with relaxation and calmness, helping to alleviate anxiety.�

limbic system activation: music has direct pathways to the limbic system, the part of the brain that governs emotions, memories, and motivation. this explains why a song can instantly evoke powerful memories and emotions.�

distraction and absorption: music can be a powerful distraction from pain, anxiety, and ruminative thoughts. by absorbing our attention, it gives our conscious mind a break from worries.

context is everything. and there can be a potential for harm.

individual preference is key, mood matters and recognizing music can also reinforce negative states. ruminating while listening to intensely sad or angry music can sometimes deepen a depressive or agitated state, rather than provide release.

using music to heal:

for relaxation: create a playlist of slow-tempo (typically 60-80 BPM), instrumental, or nature-inspired music. listen for 20-30 minutes with headphones in a quiet space.�

for a mood boost: create an "energy" playlist of songs you love that are upbeat and have positive associations. use it for motivation or to shift your state.�

for processing sadness: listen to music that matches your mood to feel seen and to cry. afterwards, consciously transition to more neutral or uplifting music to avoid getting stuck.�

for focus and flow: use music without lyrics (classical, lo-fi, ambient) to help concentration and reduce distracting thoughts.�

for connection: share playlists with friends or listen to music that reminds you of positive times and people in your life.

the intentional and mindful use of music can be a powerful, accessible, and non-invasive way to support mental and emotional well-being.

❤️✊🏾

09/19/2025

Feel your way💛

09/18/2025

Our "This Is Me" creative arts initiative concluded this evening with the topic of self-worth.. Participants learned how low self-worth evolves as well as ways to improve it! We made beautiful crowns and painted treasure boxes! We also celebrated our participants who completed the entire series! It is so rewarding to see the incredible healing power of the creative arts! "This Is Me" was everything I imagined it to be and more! I am incredibly thankful for my amazing co-creator, Rachelle Alford!! I am also pleased to announce our next initiative, "The Art of Becoming" which will begin in 2 weeks! For more information, call or text 407-867-1368

09/16/2025