What is NExT Foundation?
Find us on our new website at https://www.nextfoundationomaha.com
NExT Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit in Omaha, Nebraska
We serve Nebraska and surrounding states in our mission of integrating mental health and Expressive Arts in a way that promotes healing, connection, and community enrichment. We seek to accomplish this through Expressive Arts group and individual therapy, training, workshops, seminars, and community outreach opportunities with an emphasis on collaboration with supportive community partners.
Our Mission:
The mission of the NExT Foundation is to improve mental health in Nebraska through Expressive Arts Therapy
Our Vision:
The Nebraska Expressive Arts Therapy Foundation {NExT} provides empowering and vibrant approaches to support positive mental health for Nebraska and surrounding areas. The NExT Team of clinical therapists and facilitators engage the innate creativity in all humans, recognizing this as a vehicle for connection, growth and healing, fostering the basic need to explore and incorporate the creative as a pivotal voice. We strive to advance the body of trauma-informed, evidence- based research to support the efficacy of Expressive Arts* interventions for groups, individuals and the community at large, recognizing diversity as sacred and critical to the whole.
What is Expressive Arts?
Expressive Arts Therapy incorporates a diversity of expressive arts processes to support “voice” outside the confines of words alone, as talk therapy can incidentally oppress, limit, and exclude the minority culture.
Expressive Arts lends voice in a way that universalizes experience, and invites imagery through art, movement, prose, poetry, performance, nature-based and mindfulness processes as a means to support the emergence and strengthening of both the individual and collective voice.
CONTACT US:
NExT Foundation:
Millwork Commons
1111 N 13th Street, Suite 114
Omaha, NE 68102
millworkcommons.com
Email: NEXTfoundation@yahoo.com
Phone:(402)250-7995
Founders:
Betsy Funk
LCSW LIMHP MPA REAT
President
betsy.funk.lcsw@gmail.com
402-250-7995
Jea Theis
MSW LCSW LIMHP REAT in process
Treasurer
Info@jtheistherapy.com
531-444-9700
Natalie Hogge
MA LIMHP REAT
Secretary
soulspeakart@yahoo.com
402-302-1207
Request a Speaker:
We would be happy to talk to your business or organization about our Foundation, Expressive Arts, Compassion Fatigue or any other mental health need in general. Please fill out the Request Form to be contacted by someone from NExT Foundation:
Research Efficacy in Support of Expressive Arts:
NExT Foundation is dedicated to conducting research in support of the use of Expressive Arts in a variety of settings. Here we showcase some of our events and programs involving mental health and Expressive Arts in order to help educate the community at large and engage collaborators.
The "GREAT" Kids Group (Growing with Expressive Arts Together)
The GREAT kids group model, created by NExT founder Betsy Funk, is an Expressive Arts Based group which has been facilitated in area elementary, middle, and high school groups throughout the Omaha Metro since 2016. Thus far, with the support of Project Harmony this group has served over 150 children thus far and was conducted in over 20 schools. Based on data collected from survey’s from 141 participants, this group continues to show a statistically significant decrease in emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and a very significant decrease in peer problems. Additionally, it showed a statistically significant increase in prosocial skills. Through a partnership with the UNO, STEPS program, an initial report was generated and can be accessed through the link below:
Client Testimonials:
Statements from the "GREAT" Kids/Teen Groups:
“This group helped me to get out of my head. Instead of being stuck at home doing homework, I could come into group and relax”
“The group gave me comfort and instead of being worried or bored at home, I could come at make art”
“This group was fun. I like to hang out and make art and talk to people.”
“I feel better socially because I can talk to people better. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy art therapy, but I really like it!”
“It helped me to better understand and explain how I felt and I wasn’t embarrassed about it.”
“Fun and peaceful!”
“I LOVE this group!!”
“I love coming here! It makes me feel welcomed!!”
“It’s really fun, and a great way to make art and share about it!”
Client Testimonials:
Feedback from professional trainings and retreats featuring Expressive Arts:
“I have had the lovely opportunity to attend the Mental Health Conference at Carol Joy Hollings the past few days. Little did we know that this was not only a conference to learn about strategies to take back to our own classrooms and to our kids to address mental health but truly a time for us as educators to address our own mental health as educators-to recharge, address issues we are dealing with internally, and have the mindset we need to start the year of on the right foot.”
“At this conference we learned different mental health strategies for our classrooms by fully immersing ourselves in these experiences. Some of the different strategies we learned about were Doors of Perception, Self-Care Tree Metaphors, Caring for Your Inner SuperHero, Find Your Wise Guide, Aromatherapy, SoulCollage, Window of Tolerance, and Sandtray therapy.”
“So to start off, I wanted to let you know that I REALLY enjoyed the EXA training. Probably one of the best and most relevant training I have attended in my entire counseling career. I am super excited to begin using the tools in my own practice as well as Group Therapy.”
USEFUL LINKS TO Other Sources in Support of Expressive Arts and Mental Health:
OUR SPONSORS: The NExT Foundation would like to thank these generous sponsors!! Please contact us to to provide sponsorship and recognition!
Blick Art Materials-www.dickblick.com
Fireplace Stone and Patio-https://www.fireplacestonepatio.com
Complete Wellness - https://www.completewo.com
Heartland Family Service-https://www.heartlandfamilyservice.org/