Get to Know Our CEO: Insights from the Visionary Behind MIYA Creative Care

Every organization has a driving force, a vision that shapes its mission and impact. At MIYA Creative Care (MCC) and our sister ventures, that force is our CEO. With a decade of dedicated experience as a Certified Music Therapist, specializing in dementia and aging care, her journey into the world of creative arts therapies is as personal as it is professional. Yet, her vision and the impact of these ventures wouldn't be possible without the dedication of a passionate leadership team, our skilled clinical leads, and our incredible creative arts therapists.

A Path Illuminated: Discovering Music Therapy

For Miya, the seed of music therapy was planted early. It was 7th grade, a time of navigating complex emotions, when she found solace and clarity in her guitar lessons. There, strumming chords and discovering the power of songwriting, she uncovered a profound tool for emotional expression, a way to articulate feelings that words alone couldn't capture. Then, serendipitously, during a class assignment, an online career aptitude test delivered a surprising revelation. When the results flashed on the screen, presenting the top career as "Music Therapist," the two words resonated with an immediate, almost undeniable clarity. Upon seeing them side by side, she instinctively recognized their profound significance—it was a concept that felt deeply important to her, a path that intuitively felt right.

Despite initial discouragement about meeting musical competency requirements for a university degree in music therapy, a serendipitous summer in Hamilton led her to an introductory music therapy course at McMaster University, taught by Rachael Finnerty. This pivotal experience deeply inspired her, solidifying her belief that this had been her path all along. She then dedicated herself to pursuing it, thankfully gaining acceptance to Concordia University for her Graduate Certificate in Music Therapy, followed by a Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies. It was a journey of self-discovery that ultimately led to her fulfilling career.

An Entrepreneurial Spirit: Finding Gaps, Creating Solutions

Beyond her therapeutic practice, our CEO possesses a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. She thrives on finding gaps, identifying problems, and discovering creative solutions. This drive to innovate and address unmet needs is a core motivation that keeps her moving forward in her practice.

This spirit particularly led to the creation of Creativepsych.ca. The inspiration for this venture stemmed from her own teenage experience, as music therapy had profoundly helped her during that formative period. Recognizing that many of MCC's talented music and art therapists were also becoming registered psychotherapists, she saw a clear opportunity to expand services. This allowed them to serve a new population, particularly teens, offering them the same transformative support she once experienced through creative expression. This expansion enables her to bring accessible, creative mental health support to a new generation.

The same spirit fuels The Creative Care Club, a brand-new initiative designed to empower professionals working with older adults, refreshing their programming with ready-to-use creative plans and fostering deeper connections with residents.

Furthermore, demonstrating her commitment to fostering knowledge and community within the field, she also initiated the Creative Arts in Dementia Care Symposium two years ago. Recognizing a need for a dedicated platform where professionals, researchers, and caregivers could converge, share insights, and discuss advancements in creative arts therapies specifically for dementia care, she established this annual event. It stands as a testament to her vision for continuous learning and collaborative growth across the sector.

Overarching Vision: Integrating Creative Arts as Essential Care

Our CEO holds a strong belief that every dementia care home and organization should have the creative arts integrated as a key component of their care. Her overarching vision is to see creative arts therapies recognized not just as supplemental activities, but as essential, deeply integrated components that enhance well-being and improve outcomes for older adults and individuals living with dementia.

Guiding Principles: Kindness, Growth, and Collaboration

At the heart of all her ventures are deeply held values that inform every decision and interaction:

• Leading with Kindness: This is not merely a philosophy; it's the fundamental principle guiding how she approaches every relationship, from client to staff. Kindness fosters trust, empathy, and a supportive environment.

• Professional Development: A commitment to lifelong learning is paramount. She emphasizes the importance of always learning, growing, and exploring, ensuring that both she and her team remain at the forefront of creative arts therapies and best practices in care.

• Relationship-Centred Collaboration: Relationships are central to everything. This extends to collaborations with everyone involved – staff, families, and clients. It's about fostering genuine connections and working together to achieve the best outcomes.

A Glimpse Beyond the Businesses

When she's not leading her dynamic portfolio, our CEO cherishes quality time with her family, especially her little ones. She also nurtures her personal love for the creative arts, particularly through photography, finding joy and expression behind the lens. As MCC approaches its remarkable 10-year anniversary, she reflects with immense pride on the journey so far and is filled with excitement for what the next decade will bring to the field of creative arts therapies and the lives they touch.