About this project

WHAT IS A THINKAFEELADOO?

The Thinkafeeladoo is a tricolored bird designed to help young children grasp the concepts and maximize the benefit of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT for short), an approach proven to be effective in their recovery from sexual abuse and other trauma.

THE OBJECTIVE

The objective is to give therapists a powerful tool to help young children in their recovery in the form of five cartoon coloring books featuring the Thinkafeeladoo character. Working closely with a top expert in the field, each book will contain whimsical stories and specific exercises to support the process.

The first book will be an overview of CBT, helping to establish the link between our thoughts, emotions and behavior.

The second book will look more deeply into the nature and impact of thoughts and beliefs, particularly negative thoughts and the need for balanced thinking.

The third book will examine emotions in more depth, helping kids to name their feelings and learn what to do with difficult emotions.

The fourth book will focus on behavioral issues, helping kids to identify alternate responses and make good decisions.

The last book will deal with somatic issues, including exercises to help children read the clues that their bodies are telling them.

While the impetus for the creation of these books has always been the plight of sexually abused kids, the subject matter will be general enough in nature so that the books will serve to benefit a wide range of children, dealing with all manner of trauma and stress in their lives.

THE HISTORY

Over the years I have written and performed in over 25 award-winning films for producer Gary Mitchell’s EMPOWERKIDS.COM. These films have been aimed at helping children cope with many of life’s toughest problems, including alcoholism, prejudice, AIDS and, above all, child abuse. These films include the WIZARD OF NO series, the SOOPER PUPPY series and the WHAT TADOO series. The latter is specifically designed to help children avoid and/or extricate themselves from abusive situations. Throughout the years we have consulted with Eliana Gil PhD, therapist, author and nationally recognized expert in the field of child abuse recovery. The Thinkafeeladoo was born out of her specific request to produce something to help children grasp and benefit from CBT, the therapeutic modality most often supported by insurance. That’s where your support comes into play.

MY BACKGROUND

A cartoonist since the age of eight, I began writing for Sesame Street immediately after graduating from USC Film School and have continued to focus on helping children throughout my career as a screenwriter, animator, puppeteer, and cartoonist. I have won several Emmy Awards and a Parent’s Choice Award for my work in chiildren's television including Bingo & Molly (TLC), Buster & Me (NBC) and Kids, Cash & Common Sense (PBS). My work with EMPOWERKIDS.COM has garnered many awards including six CINE Golden Eagles. In addition I actually have a background in wacky birds, having created the original San Diego Chicken. I've illustrated numerous books and currently teach cartooning at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, CA.

OUR COLLABORATION

With your financial support we can make a real difference in the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Sexually abused children have experienced a massive betrayal. They can use all the allies they can get.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT