At Good Shepherd Community Care, we understand that pain and suffering can be multi-dimensional and we are committed to a holistic approach to care. We believe in caring for the whole person – the body, the mind and the spirit – not just in treating disease.
As a complement to traditional modalities, Good Shepherd offers a variety of integrative therapies that can be utilized, as appropriate for each individual and his/her family, to enhance their care.
Music therapy utilizes music-based interventions to work towards a variety of clinical goals, including: reducing feelings of isolation, promoting relaxation, and providing opportunities for self-expression. Patients engage with music through singing, instrument play, lyric writing, and guided listening, and no prior experience is necessary. Playing or singing familiar music can help patients access associated memories, and motivate speech and motor activity that may otherwise be limited. Music’s ability to communicate emotion allows patients to express themselves and interact with family members in unique and meaningful ways.
Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing art that works under the premise that we are energetic beings and sometimes our energy gets blocked by illness or trauma. Reiki is a non-invasive treatment provided through the positioning of hands on or just above the fully clothed body; no equipment is needed and treatments can be administered in both sitting and lying down positions. Reiki may help to increase circulation or decrease pain and may also help with insomnia. Treatments are provided by Good Shepherd staff and volunteers who are certified as level two or higher practitioners.
Art therapy draws on many theoretical and psychological perspectives to help meet the unique needs of each patient and work toward individual goals. Specially trained art therapists use the naturally therapeutic qualities of artmaking to provide opportunities for self-expression, introspection, and sensory exploration. Through the use of various art techniques and materials, patients can experience positive outcomes such as decreased social isolation, stress reduction, an increased sense of autonomy and independence, and emotional and/or spiritual healing. As an alternative to verbal language, it is accessible to many people, regardless of their stage of illness.
Pet Therapy at Good Shepherd works by providing patients with proximity to animals, creating a comforting, nurturing presence. Pet therapy has commonly been known to increase socialization, enhance mental stimulation, encourage physical contact, decrease heart rate and blood pressure, and in some instances, create a sense of spiritual fulfillment. All Good Shepherd therapy pets are accompanied by a trained Good Shepherd staff member or volunteer.
As a lasting tribute to one’s life and spirit, Remembrances, the Legacy Program at Good Shepherd, offers several ways to memorialize a person’s history, personal stories and values for loved ones. For people who are coping with a life-limiting illness, creating a legacy project is a way of ensuring that their memories will be preserved for years to come.
