Sophia’s Center for the Healing Arts
Nurture wisdom of the heart through creative expression in community
Sophia’s Center for the Healing Arts is dedicated to nurturing wisdom of the heart through creative expression in community. In a world that emphasizes production, thinking, and performance, Sophia’s Center values process, human connection, and meaningful experience. We hope that you will find a soft place to land here and leave with practices that will support you on your creative, healing path.
About Us
Offerings
Sophia’s Center offers classes and workshops that encourage creative self-expression through words, images, and movement. Join us for an upcoming expressive writing, collage, or yoga class here! We also have free “open studio” hours where all are welcome to enjoy the space, use supplies, and build community.
“Sophia”
“Sophia” is the Greek word for “wisdom” and represents an ancient, feminine presence who leads us back to heart-centered, creative wisdom. Sophia’s Center for the Healing Arts aims to honor and cultivate this wise, core essence we all carry.
Meet the Director
Claire Coenen (M.S.W., M.Ed., M.T.S.) is a writer, yoga teacher, and facilitator with a passion for sharing the renewing and liberating powers of the creative process with her community. Claire’s first collection of poems, The Beautiful Keeps Breathing (published by Kelsay Books, 2024), explores themes of imaginative power, loss, and healing. Claire offers mentorships, workshops, and retreats focused on writing, collage, yoga, and creativity online and locally.
A lifelong learner, Claire earned a Master of Education & Master of Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University and received her Master of Social Work from The University of Tennessee. In 2021, she completed the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program, a two year post graduate program offered by the Nashville Center for Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Therapy. As a Kripalu-trained yoga instructor and a former psychotherapist, Claire integrates her understanding of the body’s wisdom and depth psychology into her offerings. Claire has been fortunate to work with a multitude of teachers, therapists, and mentors from a variety of different traditions. While Claire has gained knowledge from her formal training, she has tapped into wisdom through her relationships, lived experiences, and creative explorations.
Originally from Athens, GA, Claire loves living in Nashville with her husband Davey and dog, Lion.
Learn more about Claire at www.clairecoenen.com.
May Sophia’s Center for the Healing Arts be a place where we
Value the unique soul of each person who enters it
Encourage creative meaning-making
Foster collaboration and thread a web of community
Offer warmth and steadfast hospitality
Practice tenacious compassion and human honesty
Ignite imaginative power and courage
Cultivate peace, joy, and laughter
“The mind has its logic; the heart alone can know wisdom, bridge chasms, make peace.”
-Marion Woodman & Elinor Dickson
Artwork by Rich Panico
Become a Supporter of Sophia's and help us make our offerings accessible to all
Give $25 or more each month to unlock our "member perks:
One free Weekly class per month
50% off a Monthly class or a Multiweek Series class per month