The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County awarded an $8,000 grant to Cape Fear Valley Health for the health system’s Arts Therapy program. The grant will assist in funding the Art Therapy program for the Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit.

Since the beginning of the program four years ago, the addition of art therapy has proven to be an effective treatment. Sessions are led by Yael Divon, ATR-P, a certified art therapist.

According to Cape Fear Valley’s Corporate Director for Psychiatric Services John Bigger, patients who attended art therapy classes regularly reported a reduction in symptoms and felt more relaxed afterward.

“We are grateful for the continued partnership of the Arts Council in helping to bring art therapy to the patients in our inpatient Behavioral Health Unit,” said Bigger in a press release. “With the increase in funding this grant period, we are excited to be able to offer these sessions to patients at the Dorothea Dix Adolescent Care unit as well.”   “This program has enhanced the treatment service offered and has had a positive impact on the patients served.”

“The Arts Council is pleased to partner with Cape Fear Valley in support of its Art Therapy program,” said Interim President and CEO of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Bob Pinson in a press release. “We are also pleased that more funds have been made available for the Project Support Grants for 2022-2023 and that we are reaching deeper into previously underserved areas of our community as evidenced by the many new applicants this year.”