Child and Family Art Therapy Center Mission and Philosophy Statement

   At CFATC, we provide therapy from two overriding beliefs. One is that everyone in the world depends on one another, and two, that if you help one person it is like helping the whole world. Idealistically speaking, together, we can make the world a better place.

   Our care and concern for the individual stems from the deep conviction that each person – no matter what the age – has a precious inner spark, core or “soul,” that they are caring for. When we help a child heal, grow and develop, he or she moves towards his/her vast human potential. Undoubtedly that will make the child’s inner world a better place, and the child will, in turn grow to make the world a better place.

   Our mission is to provide the best possible therapy for children and teens, with a parent-support component that stems from our overriding philosophy.

Individual capacity

   We at CFATC believe in the individual’s inborn capacity to heal, grow, develop, be resilient, solve problems, learn and be self directed. We believe that people have freedom and free will, although we all develop certain patterns or constraints based on genetic factors, how we cope, and what we have learned.

   Because of freedom and free will, human beings have the capacity to make decisions, develop self control, and choose a path towards a better or more satisfying life. They can also choose right over wrong or to think of others rather than only themselves.

   Freedom and free will also implies that there is a future, and that human beings have the ability and responsibility to the future. Although the future is unwritten and unknown, we have the power to impact the future by the choices we make today.

   We believe that each individual is trying his or her best each day. Across culture, class, race, religion and age – each person – strives to function and feel as good as possible on each given day. Of course, we all try to be our best, but life comes with challenges, transitions, traumas, limitations and stresses. With this awareness we accept each person’s current state. We are all trying to “make it” through this life, so we celebrate all the good and strengths that one has today – always with an eye towards a better tomorrow.

Children

   Therapists at CFATC believe that childhood is a sacred, unique part of the life cycle. We believe that children are not miniature adults. They think, feel, act and communicate differently than adults and they need child-specific communication and therapy approaches to help them move through their challenges.

   We also know that, unlike adults, children are still in their formative years. Children’s personalities are not fully formed until they reach their late teens or early twenties, so they are still quite malleable. When children experience emotional or behavioral challenges, they get knocked off their natural developmental path. Mental and emotional energy are diverted from the task of development to the tasks of coping and managing stress.

   Children also live in their formative environments. We also believe that by working with parents and schools, CFATC therapists may help adjust children’s environments so that obstacles are removed and supports are installed. If we can provide individualized supports that each unique child needs, they may return their mental/emotional energy to their primary tasks of learning and growing.

   Consequently, at CFATC, we wish to help children tap into their existing strengths, and activate their inner capacity to heal and develop. We commit to helping children become strong enough to face their challenges and remove or circumvent obstacles. CFATC is a child friendly, child centered place that provides a safe atmosphere in which children can blossom. CFATC therapists will strive to get to know, respect and help a child’s whole world – their parents, family and school – so that moveable obstacles can be removed and supportive structures will help the child find success. We commit to help children’s inner and outer worlds.

Parents and Families

   We, at CFATC, believe that all parents have a deep, intense connection and love for their child. Parenting is the most important job in the world, and each family is the most important group in the world. At CFATC, we believe that parents are using every personal competency, technique and trick in the book to raise their child(ren) as best they can. We value the joys and challenges that come with parenting, and strive to make a positive difference in the lives of parents, children and families.

   Therapists at CFATC believe that children are influenced by their parents and siblings, and that children greatly impact the functioning of the family as a whole. Sometimes children develop challenges that place stress on the family or the parental relationship; other times, family or environmental transitions place stress on children. CFATC is committed to forming trusting, supportive therapeutic relationships with parents that honors their vital role and the sanctity of the parent/child bond. We commit to work with parents to find effective techniques to provide discipline and structure, or to enhance your connection with your child(ren). By helping families find their balance and health, children are able to reach their vast potential.

Child Psychotherpy Approach

   Child-centered therapy helps children while they are still young; and we believe that children can heal from past hurts and cope with current and future challenges. Being child centered, CFATC therapists follow the child’s lead in the therapy. By doing so, children invariably lead the therapist right to the core themes, feelings or issues at the center of their pain or challenge. Children feel a sense of control, and muster their own inner creativity and problem solving to overcome their problems. When children overcome their challenges, they can get back on their developmental path, and grow to be happy, healthy, productive adults.

   It is an honor and a gift to do this type of work, and we learn from each and every parent and child with whom we work.

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