Army veteran Roger Stebbins founded the Creative Sharing Meeting, a 12-step recovery program for artists that has been convening in Huntington Beach, CA for 27 years. We're now presenting similar meetings and events at other locations so anyone pursuing physical and mental wellness will have the opportunity to share poems, songs, monologues or just ordinary conversation about their daily efforts to cope and thrive. The gatherings are open to everyone whether or not they have ever experienced substance abuse or addiction issues.
In response to the escalating homeless crisis in Long Beach, CA and elsewhere, we are developing a pilot program aimed at inducing those who are living on the streets to enter treatment/housing programs. Under the supervision of music therapist Lisa Jackert, individuals who otherwise might be emotionally unreachable, will be approached in an extremely non-threatening manner, whereupon vocal psychotherapy techniques will be employed to establish a connection. Therapists will be accompanied by military veterans - some of whom were previously homeless - while engaged in such outreach. Working in partnership with organizations that provide safe emergency and long-term housing, music therapy will continue to be an essential element of recovery. Using improvised music experiences, previously-buried feelings will be addressed in one-on-one and group settings on an ongoing basis.
In response to the escalating homeless crisis in Long Beach, CA and elsewhere, we are developing a pilot program aimed at inducing those who are living on the streets to enter treatment/housing programs. Under the supervision of music therapist Lisa Jackert, individuals who otherwise might be emotionally unreachable, will be approached in an extremely non-threatening manner, whereupon vocal psychotherapy techniques will be employed to establish a connection. Therapists will be accompanied by military veterans - some of whom were previously homeless - while engaged in such outreach. Working in partnership with organizations that provide safe emergency and long-term housing, music therapy will continue to be an essential element of recovery. Using improvised music experiences, previously-buried feelings will be addressed in one-on-one and group settings on an ongoing basis.
Lisa Jackert is a Long Beach native and graduate of California State University Long Beach where she received her training in music therapy. She has been a board-certified music therapist since 1990. She specializes in creating unique music experiences for her audiences. Lisa is also a certified Healthy Rhythms drum facilitator and Vocal Psychotherapist. She has created engaging drum and song circle experiences for a variety of audiences, including 12-step groups, spiritual retreats, workshops for choirs, corporate team building, families and senior groups. Lisa’s mission is to use music to bring hope and healing through meaningful experiences that provide listeners an opportunity to connect with each other and themselves. She believes there is no place music cannot go or does not belong.
In addition to using music as a tool for helping others to experience joy and peace, Lisa is a singer-songwriter who plays guitar, piano and violin. She enjoys a variety of music styles, including folk, country, blues, rock, pop, jazz and classical. Lisa is a member of the praise band and sanctuary choir at Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach.
In addition to using music as a tool for helping others to experience joy and peace, Lisa is a singer-songwriter who plays guitar, piano and violin. She enjoys a variety of music styles, including folk, country, blues, rock, pop, jazz and classical. Lisa is a member of the praise band and sanctuary choir at Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach.
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In partnership with Rock to Recovery, U.S.VETS and Century Villages at Cabrillo, we presented a weekly songwriting workshop in Long Beach, CA from April 2018 to January 2020. It was all about camaraderie and experiencing the natural high only music can produce. At each meeting an original song was written and recorded in about 90 minutes. The uplifting sessions were free for all who attended, and no experience was required. The same spirit pervades the Creative Living Project, but in this program any form of artistic expression - not just music - is embraced.
Workshop participant Chris Heigl: "It's nice to be able to dive a little deeper into emotions, into what life is all about...And the fact that you're sitting next to me and understanding, putting your hand on my shoulders, makes me feel better, too."
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