Meet Anastasia Canfield | Creative Remedies Practice Owner/Operator, Clinical Director, Clinical Supervisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anastasia Canfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anastasia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Beginning one’s own business and going all in, particularly in a time of economic downturn, is one of the biggest risks someone can take in this country. I have vacillated with my beliefs about risk, but usually, I find myself taking the leap. I see risk as adjacent to opportunity. If someone is willing to accept an opportunity, there is still no guarantee, but the word “opportunity” carries a more positive association than “risk”. In a lot of ways they’re the same thing. I think for much of my life, the role “risk” has played is actually “opportunity” that I seized.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business, Creative Remedies, was born from both the passion and fury I had working in several different psychiatric facilities and schools that were wrought with red tape and harmfully burned out bureaucrats. I built it to be financially accessible through an economic justice initiative that does not turn people away based on financial need. I got where I am today by pure stubbornness and fueled by the anecdotes and peer-reviewed research alike that cites finances as the biggest barrier to mental health in this country. It has never been easy. I’ve overcome challenges only to face more — and to be honest, that is the name of this game. That will never change and I am still practicing the art of acceptance making this realization. That only makes it that much more meaningful to do this work. We are a broken and hurting nation and there is not an end in sight. What I want people to know is that they have resources — we will help them find them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The live music scene in Denver is very active. I would recommend looking up any genre of your choice and going to a local show. Surprise a local band — it will make their night. Otherwise, there are numerous things to do depending on people’s preferences — I personally love trivia at a good brewery (I’m sober and usually they have amazing NA options like homemade root beer!), a hike, checking out the First Friday Art Walk on Santa Fe Avenue, or any number of other artistic events.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shout-out to two people — Angie Berktold and Jessica Leza. These women have been paramount in empowering me to become who I am today. Angie was my music therapy internship supervisor and showed me what true compassion looks like in a clinical setting. She encouraged me to step outside the mold of the typical music therapist to align with my values and with my client’s strengths and needs. Angie and Jessica both have unique perspectives on the world which have been refreshing and challenging in their own right, but always in intentional and human-centered ways. Jessica has been a dear friend and colleague for over a decade. She showed me that my creativity was worth showing the world regardless of what people think. Jessica taught me that my life is worth living on my terms — and only my terms — not based on any coercive narrative I might receive from somewhere else. They have been invaluable in my life and I am honored to know them and be part of theirs too.

Website: www.creativeremediesllc.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/creativeremediesllc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-canfield/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/creativeremllc

Facebook: www.facebook.com/creativeremediesllc

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/creative-remedies-llc-denver

Image Credits
Chris Tracy