We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caitlin Elizabeth a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Caitlin , thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I’ve always felt drawn to the arts, from a young age, and regardless of the medium, I have always been deeply connected to the meaning behind each piece of art. As I grew older, I faced a series of hardships and insecurities while trying to understand who I was. In my adult years, I discovered that the answers I was seeking could be found through art and the creative process. Art played such a profound role in my own healing journey that I knew I had to find a way to make that experience accessible to others.

In 2023, I founded CaitSpace Ltd., an LLC dedicated to offering affordable art sessions for both groups and individuals. Shortly after launching my business, I earned certifications as a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner and as a Peer & Family Recovery Specialist. I’m passionate about helping others use art as a healing modality because I believe that creativity lives within us all.

CaitSpace Ltd.’s ongoing mission is to create art that inspires, connects, and uplifts. In the end, I hope to leave a legacy of love and creativity—enriching lives and encouraging others to embrace their own artistic journeys as a means of healing

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Expressions Sessions is a therapeutic art group designed to encourage self-discovery, personal growth, and a sense of community through creative expression. The group welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and offers a safe, supportive space to explore art as a healing tool. We engage in various art forms, including drawing, painting, and neurographic designs, with each session offering a step-by-step guided experience. However, participants are also given the creative freedom to work on anything that inspires them in the moment.

A key element of Expressions Sessions is the integration of mindful art practices. This approach helps participants increase their sense of peace and enjoyment while creating, often with music in the background to further set a relaxing tone. By blending creativity with mindfulness, the group provides a space where individuals can process emotions, build coping skills, and promote healing.

Mindful art creation has many positive benefits, including promoting neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections. Here’s how it works:

Focus and Attention: Mindfulness encourages sustained attention on the creative process, strengthening neural pathways related to concentration and engagement.
Emotional Regulation: Mindful art helps enhance emotional awareness and regulation, impacting brain areas that control emotional processing and reducing stress responses.
Creative Problem-Solving: Experimenting with different materials and techniques stimulates brain regions linked to creativity and innovation, encouraging the formation of new neural connections.
Sensory Integration: Mindful art engages multiple senses, improving sensory processing and cognitive function.
With Expressions Sessions, our goal is not only to create art but also to create a mindful, supportive environment that fosters growth, healing, and personal expression.

In December 2024, CaitSpace Ltd expanded by bringing Rob McGarry onto the team. Rob is a fellow creative healer with a wealth of expertise in performance arts, creative writing, and using art creation as a tool for healing in recovery. This collaboration is especially exciting because integrating performance arts into our offerings introduces a whole new dimension of creative healing. Rob’s approach adds depth and diversity to our therapeutic art sessions, allowing individuals to explore not only visual arts but also the power of storytelling, movement, and expression through performance.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

My vision for CaitSpace Ltd has always been to make art groups accessible to everyone. When I first started, all costs were self-funded, and I made the decision not to charge individuals for participation. However, this model was not sustainable in the long run, so I began researching ways to bring in revenue while still maintaining a number of donation-based and free sessions.

One solution I found was securing grant funding, so I sought out a fiscal sponsor. That’s when the nonprofit Recover Simply came into my life and truly changed the game for CaitSpace Ltd. With their support, we became eligible for more grant opportunities, which helped further our mission.

Additionally, because of my certifications as a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner and a Peer & Family Recovery Specialist, organizations are able to bill insurance for my services. This allows the sessions to remain free for individuals. On top of that, I offer paid private art sessions, Art as Sanctuary, through Edenology Holistic Wellness, further supporting the sustainability of our programs.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe my lived experience and personal healing journey through art have played a significant role in building my reputation within the community. Having gone through my own recovery journey, I can relate to others on a deep level, which helps me build strong rapport with people. My recovery story is something I’m incredibly proud to share because of my hope that it can and will inspire others who are also on their own healing paths. It’s not just about what I do, but about who I am and how I show up for others. The commitment my team and I have to always leading with the heart helped connect us with the right clients and build lasting relationships in the recovery and creative healing communities

Contact Info:

• Website: https://caitspaceltd.com
• Instagram: @caitspace.art
• Facebook: @caitspace.art
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=creative+takeover

Image Credits

Coady Parks
Rob McGarry
Edenology Holistic Wellness
Ultra Flat Black