Hon. Steven R. Rothman Honors Creative Arts Therapies Week

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Creative Arts Therapies Week, which began on June 1 and continues through June 7.

Creative Arts Therapies are an increasingly important tool for healing both physical and mental health needs. There are currently more than 15,000 Creative Arts Therapists practicing in the United States and around the world--all working to address major societal issues including school violence, substance abuse, breast cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and domestic violence.

Since its first application over 50 years ago, Creative Arts Therapists have provided individual and group art experiences for people in need of care and treatment to address and overcome great personal challenges. Using art, dance, movement, drama, music, and poetry, therapists are able to achieve remarkable results.

I commend Creative Arts therapists and the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies for their tireless work to improve health, communication, and expression, to enhance self-awareness, and to facilitate positive change in human experience and behavior.