On May 15, 2010 Arts for Healing held a very special annual gala commemorating ten years of service. It was an evening of celebration, which included a first showing of the new Arts for Healing video and a special cabaret performance by noted New York City performers and local talent put together by New Canaan resident Don Martocchio. Martocchio, who is a board member for the organization, said his 15-year-old daughter Julia has benefitted from the therapy, which focuses on her love of music and lyrics. The 2010 Benefit Committee includes Carol Cristini, Joan Dionne, Kristen Eveland, Taylor Gibson-Ullman, Judy Havard, Annie Konidaris, Brooke Manning-Hinds, Amanda Martocchio, Don Martocchio, Cathy Newman, Karen Nisenson, Stephanie Nason, Steven Phillips, and Cyd Quinn.

Founded by Karen Nisenson, MM, MA, MT-BC in 2000, Arts for Healing serves the special needs population of children and adults living with communication disorders. The organization's mission is to break through the barriers that isolate them, creating a channel for self-expression through the arts. According to Ms. Nisenson, "This organization started in one room, with one child who could not speak. As his first year of therapy progressed, so did Arts for Healing. When this child began talking in his second year of therapy, Arts for Healing found its voice and began making an impact on the community. We would not have come this far without all the parents who brought their children to us, so that we could form the connections and bonds that created a bridge to enhanced communication skills...and to all the participants in our programs, we give thanks for teaching us new ways of seeing and hearing, and for bringing great joy into our lives every day."

According to Steven Phillips, Board Chair, funds raised at this event moved the organization into the next decade with ongoing support and expansion of programs and opportunities, and provide financial assistance to families on limited incomes. "Client fees account for only 54% of our expenses and scholarships are awarded to 16% of our clients covering an average of 75% of their fees. In the next decade, in addition to serving our clients at 24 Grove Street, we are looking to expand our services as a resource to public school districts and other agencies serving the special needs community who do not have funding to use the arts in meeting their clients' needs."

Individual Integrated Music and Art Therapy (IMAT), developed by Karen Nisenson, is the primary focus of Arts for Healing. Therapists work daily using IMAT to help those with special needs: IMAT is based upon the premise that a creative process that uses music and art as a means of self-expression leads to changes in how individuals with developmental disabilities process information. It is expected that children treated with IMAT will evidence improvements in some or all areas of: behavior, language, communication, and socialization skills.