Cory B. Savage, the founder of Creative Recovery LA, talks to Mark Ariel about his life experiences, the path to wellness and helping others map out their journey through creativity
PHOTO BY ZIV SADE
UNIMAGINABLE CHALLENGES
Growing up in a small town in north Georgia, I faced unimaginable challenges from a very young age. I was exposed to sexual violence from the age of 3, and the trauma from those experiences has stayed with me to this day. My abuser was a drug addict, and I was exposed to drugs at a very young age. Navigating abuse at an early age shaped my belief system and created codependent behaviors and the need for validation. As I got older, I became infamous for being gay in a small town, and I was constantly bullied and eventually gay-bashed. My home life was no safer—I grew up in an abusive household where I was abused and made to feel that something was wrong with me. I was largely outcast from a young age, and I struggled to find my place in the world. As a result, I developed a deep-seated need for acceptance and love, which led me to seek out relationships and situations that were unhealthy and destructive. The pressure to please everyone eventually became my Achilles heel.
LOSS AND GRIEF
I’ve experienced my fair share of loss and grief, including the devastating loss of my mother to terminal breast cancer. Her passing was a huge blow to me, and it took some time to come to terms with the loss…
I’ve also experienced the breakdown of a family unit that I had built and loved dearly. It’s hard to put into words, but I felt like I had lost a sense of belonging and purpose. I had invested so much of myself in that family, and when it fell apart, I was left feeling lost and alone. I’ve worked on my suffering caused by grief and trauma, I’ve come to realize that those experiences have given me a unique perspective and strength. I’m learning to use those experiences to fuel my healing and growth, rather than letting them define me.
MY ROCK BOTTOM
My rock bottom was a very specific day. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was sitting in my house, and I couldn’t stop thinking about putting in my safe code to get my gun. It was like my mind was on autopilot, and I had no control over my thoughts. That’s when I knew I needed help. I realized that I had been running from my past for far too long, and it was catching up with me. But when I started looking for help, I was shocked to find that there weren’t any programs that catered to someone like me—someone who wasn’t an addict, but still struggling with suffering caused by trauma and addiction. And to make matters worse, my insurance didn’t cover the kind of treatment I needed. It was like I was falling through the cracks, and I didn’t know where to turn.
“Our program is designed to be highly personalized and adaptive to each client’s needs. When a client comes in, they’ll share their story with us, almost like a screenplay. We’ll then pair them with a clinical team and a creative team, who will work together to create a customized plan for their healing journey.”
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
As I began my journey towards healing, I knew that I needed to find a way to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others who were struggling with similar challenges. I had a vision for a program that would combine clinical assessments with creative teams to help clients map out their journey through creativity, and address the suffering caused by trauma and addiction. But I needed an investor to help bring my vision to life.
That’s when the universe aligned two of the most beautiful souls, Tiana and Heith Shaver, a family from Missouri who were also passionate about making a difference in the mental health and substance abuse space. Heith quickly became the brother I never had, and Tiana’s beautiful heart and compassion inspired me to keep pushing forward. We connected on everything that life could offer, and our similar viewpoints made it clear that we were meant to work together.
A SAFE SPACE
With Tiana and Heith’s support, we were able to bring Creative Recovery to life… We created Creative Recovery because we wanted to provide a safe space for others to heal and recover. We know firsthand how hard it can be to find the right support and resources, and we wanted to create a program that would offer a holistic approach to recovery. Creative Recovery is a brand new initiative that combines clinical assessments with creative teams to help clients map out their journey through creativity, and address the suffering caused by trauma and addiction.”
IMMERSIVE SOUND HEALING
Our program is designed to be highly personalized and adaptive to each client’s needs. When a client comes in, they’ll share their story with us, almost like a screenplay. We’ll then pair them with a clinical team and a creative team, who will work together to create a customized plan for their healing journey. We’re also excited to be working with composer Greg Maloney to create soundbaths and frequency healing in our state-of-the-art music studio and immersive sound healing yoga studio. Clients will leave with a sort of soundtrack to life and an illustration of their journey, which will provide them with tools for ongoing healing and growth.
Our cutting-edge music studio is equipped with the latest technology and instruments, allowing our clients to express themselves through music in a safe and supportive environment. Our immersive sound healing yoga studio provides a unique and transformative experience, combining sound healing with yoga and meditation to promote deep relaxation and healing.
Additionally, our clinical director, Michael Pezzullo, LMFT, will provide compassionate and specialized therapy as well.
NOT JUST FOR “CREATIVES”
Creative Recovery is not just for “creatives,” but also a play on words. If you have tried everything and nothing has worked, “let’s get creative” and try to find a new path to healing…
I am forever grateful to Tiana and Heith for believing in me and my vision. They are my angels sent from heaven, and I know that together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Creative Recovery is not just a program—it’s a community, a family, and a movement. And I am honored to be a part of it.
Creative Recovery LA is located at 8714 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 200, (above Fresh Corn Grill), in West Hollywood. Come celebrate their grand opening Saturday, Nov. 2, 5pm-9pm!
For more info call them at 323-917-7722. Visit their site at www.creativerecoveryla.com and check out their Instagram: @crestiverecoveryla
