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Naples, Fl – The David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and substance use treatment facility serving children, adults and families, is pleased to announce that the Board of Missions and Outreach of the Naples United Church of Christ has awarded the Center a $2,500 grant. The funds will be used to expand the art therapy program utilized on the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit, an inpatient mental health unit where children experiencing a psychiatric crisis receive brief voluntary and involuntary evaluation and treatment. Children stay an average of three days on the unit.

The grant funding will allow for the current art therapy sessions to be held three times a week rather than just twice a month, nearly quadrupling the number of children who will be exposed to this highly effective, evidence-based holistic therapy service.

Art therapy sessions are conducted by an independent registered art therapist and mental health counselor and utilize the therapeutic use of art to help children who experience emotional difficulties, mental illness, trauma or life challenges. The creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps children resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, achieve insight, elevate mood and increase self-esteem and self-awareness.

The goal of the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit art therapy program is to improve the child’s ability to communicate emotional distress, rebuild a sense of trust, decrease sense of isolation, increase self-expression, provide and reinforce emotional regulation skills and increase the child’s sense of well-being while on the unit.

David Lawrence Centers CEO Scott Burgess adds, “We are very pleased to partner with Naples United Church of Christ on the expansion this holistic art therapy program. Their support will help advance our strategic priorities to enhance community collaborations and partnerships; grow child and adolescent services; expand development efforts and financial resources as well as utilize innovative clinical programming to help more children in need. We are truly blessed to have their organization’s continued investment in our mission.”

Naples United Church of Christ raises grant funding through revenue generated from their Bargain Box Resale Shop and the generosity of their congregation and volunteers.

About David Lawrence Center
David Lawrence Centers is the Southwest Florida-based, not-for-profit leading provider of behavioral health solutions dedicated to inspiring and creating life-changing wellness for every individual. The Center provides innovative, comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, residential and community based prevention and treatment services for the one in four local children and adults who experience mental health, emotional, psychological and substance use challenges. David Lawrence Centers has seven locations in Collier County and touches the lives of more than 50,000 people each year. For more information about David Lawrence Centers call (239) 491-7602 or visit www.DavidLawrenceCenter.org.

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