094: The Healing Power of Art: From Personal Recovery to Transforming Lives with the Elder Population with Lauren Basler

Previous Episode: 093: From Trauma to Triumph: A Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery with Dr. Allison Jackson-Dyer

Next Episode: 095: The Path from Surviving to Thriving with Cheryl DeHaven

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.

In this captivating episode, we delve into the life journey of Lauren Basler, a theater major who found herself cracked wide open in her 20s. Join us as we explore her path to recovery, the concerns her loved ones had regarding her drinking, and the transformative healing she experienced.

Through heartfelt conversations, Lauren takes us on a profound exploration of her recovery journey, sharing how she acknowledged and healed messy relationships and discovered therapy through dance and singing. We witness her self-reflection, where she questions if she was making the wrong decisions.

We also discover Lauren's impactful work with the elderly population and the integration of art modalities into their lives. Learn how she infused the arts into the assisted living facility where she worked and the profound wisdom she gained from her interactions with the elderly.

Listen closely as we delve into the therapeutic and mental health aspects of Lauren's unique care approach. We explore the creation of "Piece by Peace" and its intention and meaning. Experience her grief and loss center for teens, a powerful initiative that showcases Lauren's dedication to helping others heal.

Prepare to be inspired as Lauren shares her thoughts on self-love and reveals what hope truly means to her. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of art, the resilience of the human spirit, and the profound impact one person can have on the lives of many.

Lauren is a Boston based Registered Drama Therapist who uses the arts to facilitate healing and connection with numerous populations. Currently, she is the Director of the Veronica B. Smith Senior Center in Brighton, MA where she utilizes the arts to work with older adults and promotes new and creative programming with this often overlooked population. She also helps run the Peace by Piece Trauma Ministry at Fourth Presbyterian Church in South Boston- her home church- which utilizes both the arts and community to facilitate healing and processing of trauma. Previous roles include working at an Assisted Living facility and many years of waitressing.

Lauren has been in recovery for many years and continues to credit the principles of recovery to her growth. In her free time she takes singing lessons and spends time with family and friends.

Tune in to this remarkable episode and immerse yourself in Lauren's extraordinary journey of personal growth, healing, and transforming the lives of others through the power of art.

**TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources.

Listen in as we talk about:

[2:00] Being cracked wide open in her 20s and her background as a theater major

[3:55] The concern her friends and family had around her drinking

[7:20] What her recovery journey looked like

[9:30] Acknowledging and healing messy relationships

[11:30] Finding therapy through dance and singing

[18:10] Questioning if she was making the wrong decisions

[20:30] Starting to work with the elderly population and integration art modalities

[24:30] Infusing the arts into the assisted living facility she worked with

[29:30] What she has learned from the elderly

[35:35] The therapeutic and mental health aspect to her care

[42:25] Piece by Peace, the intention and the meaning