Charitable donations to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) can make a world of difference in the lives of children. With each gift, donors help pave the way for incredible accomplishments for child health.
Trauma-focused art therapy
Donations to the AAP Friends of Children Fund opened the door to explore new approaches, such as art therapy, to help children who have had traumatic experiences.
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is an underutilized
complementary therapeutic intervention that can reduce depression and anxiety. It provides an outlet for children to discuss and symbolize their experiences. Abuse can have lifelong effects on children beyond the initial trauma for children. Art therapy can lead to a long-term reduction in traumatic symptoms.
"Healing Through Art Therapy: HART Approach" was developed by pediatrician Sarah Benke, DO, FAAP. The project incorporated art therapy as a supplementary therapeutic tool for children who have suffered abuse.
Friends of Children Fund donations funded the launch of an educational workshop for community-based organizations to research and examine the benefits of art therapy. Dr. Benke's team also developed an art therapy toolkit to support children who have been abused.
Helping children see themselves as survivors
Children were shown how to use the art therapy toolkit through the themes of support, positive expression, controlling emotions, creating boundaries and empowerment. The toolkit activities help a child cope with the trauma by reframing their experiences, for example. This can help them see themselves as survivors rather than victims.
"It was truly humbling to work with parents and their children through these art projects and watch how creative the projects were! This was such a rewarding experience. I am very grateful for how open participants were to completing the workshops and art therapy sessions," said Dr. Benke.
This philanthropic support funded by AAP Friends of Children donors did more than fund a project. It equipped pediatricians, caregivers, and community-based organizations with new therapeutic tools for children who have been abused, helping them move forward in a healthy way.
The AAP thrives in its efforts to support children and families, and their well-being, with gifts like these. The generosity of AAP donors means so much for children and adolescents everywhere.
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