The Amanda's Easel Program helps children heal from the effects of
domestic violence by encouraging them to express and understand their
feelings and fears in a safe and nurturing environment, through art.
The goals of the program are to help children:
Strengthen self-esteem
Develop new coping skills
Gain a sense of control over concerns,
doubts and fears
Increase communication between
parent and child
Begin to understand the cycle of
violence and how it affects their self esteem
Help break the cycle of family
violence
Children often don't know how to describe the over-whelming
feelings associated with the witnessing of domestic abuse. Art therapy
gives them that tool so that they can begin coping with these emotions.
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is the therapeutic
use of art making within a professional relationship, by people who
experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living. Through creating
art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase
awareness of self and other; cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic
experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming
pleasures of making art. (American Art Therapy Association)
Amanda's Easel
Amanda's Easel is a comprehensive
art therapy program for children ages 6-13, and their non-offending
parent, who have been affected by domestic violence. In small, age-appropriate
groups, the children and parents express themselves through the use
of art media, play and group discussions. Groups are facilitated
by registered art therapists and are held at several locations
throughout Monmouth County.
Non-offending parents attend parenting art therapy sessions and counseling.
This combination of art therapy for the children and parenting/counseling
sessions for the parent is designed to create a support system to help
both children and parents cope with the life changes precipitated by
the violence and abuse.
Referrals for long-term psychotherapy for children, and family counseling
are provided, as these are not within the scope of the program.
Fees
are on a sliding-scale basis with no one turned away due to the inability
to pay.
Domestic Violence
1.888.843.9262
Sexual Assault 1.888.264.Rape
(7273)
TTY# 1.732.264.3089
Youth Helpline 2ndFloor 1.888.222.2228 24 hours a day -
7 days a week
Begin to understand the cycle of
violence and how it affects their self esteem 
Non-offending parents attend parenting art therapy sessions and counseling.
This combination of art therapy for the children and parenting/counseling
sessions for the parent is designed to create a support system to help
both children and parents cope with the life changes precipitated by
the violence and abuse. 
