Creative Therapies

Nationally accredited by the American Music Therapy Association, our music therapists work directly with our youth to develop healthy social and relationship building skills, build emotional regulation and awareness, and build confidence and self-esteem through clinical and evidenced-based music interventions.

Using the visual arts, art therapists provide individual and group art therapy sessions to help youth explore and process their innermost thoughts and feelings in nonverbal ways, leading to healing and greater confidence in their abilities.

Combining treatment and leisure activities, our Therapeutic Recreation staff help youth develop social skills, manage emotions in constructive ways, and enhance physical fitness and coordination through group activities, one-on-one sessions, and sports teams.

Named for longtime Lawrence Hall supporter Bonnie Benson’s beloved canine companion, our Casey’s Canine Therapy Program, in partnership with the Canine Therapy Corps, is a seven-week class twice a year that partners each youth with a dog and works with a trainer to build a relationship with their dog. Often struggling in typical social situations, our youth can put aside their fear of judgment and work on anger management, communication skills, and self-awareness through play and dog training.

The Shakespeare in the Classroom program is facilitated by theater educators from the Invictus Theatre Company who rehearse an abridged Shakespearean production with students. The program culminates in a final performance for the students’ friends, family, and treatment team. Using a trauma-informed approach to Shakespearean performance, the program’s goal is to teach skills in emotional regulation, healthy self-expression, self-esteem, and how to sustain healthy relationships.

Adventures Accessed provides youth with exposure to the Midwest region’s natural areas through safe and thoughtful day trips, inspiring youth to explore their surroundings, nurture curiosity, and empower youth to pursue new challenges in life. This group “outdoor therapy” strengthens soft skills like communication, risk management, decision making, leadership, teamwork, and delegation through facing real-life challenges in a wilderness setting.