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ART AND
MEDICINE

Recreation Therapists

Incorporate Art in Patient Intervention

By Cristal (Cris) Bleich, MSRLS, CTRS/BH
Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Clarity Child Guidance Center

Recreation therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is a sys- Staff and patients create the San Antonio skyline
tematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based in- with thumbprints in a TR art project.
terventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illness
and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical pride, and to develop a meaningful life-long hobby. CTRS uses art
health, recovery and well being. to encourage creative thinking, expression, and let patients come up
with their own unique solutions.
A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is a profes-
sional who possesses a nationally recognized certification and has “Through art therapy and recreation therapy, children learn to
continually met the national standards to provide this type of ther- discover themselves and discover coping skills they would have never
apy. Recreation therapists are certified by the National Council for been exposed to otherwise,” said Soad Michelsen, MD, Child &
Therapeutic Recreation Certification. Adolescent Psychiatrist, Senior Medical Director, Clarity CGC.
“Children learn a form of communication where it is safe to express
The unique feature of therapeutic recreation that makes it differ- their positive and negative feelings.”
ent from other therapies is the use of recreational modalities in the
designed intervention strategies. Through the use of recreation ther- The therapeutic recreation team at Clarity displays patient-created
apy, patients are exposed to a variety of interventions which include art throughout the facility in order to foster their sense of accom-
Reality-Oriented Physical Experiential Services (ROPES), a form of plishment. Through this exposure to art and other recreational
therapy focusing on action-oriented experiences; sports; sensory in- modalities, patients gain knowledge and skills to use as positive cop-
terventions; music; horticulture; group initiatives and art. Art is a ing skills upon discharge.
key intervention used by CTRSs to help guide a patient toward
health and happiness. Clarity’s therapeutic recreation department
employs nine CTRSs.

Using art throughout Clarity’s therapeutic recreation program
helps children cope with their symptoms, stress, anxiety, depression,
and other mental and emotional problems. Art provides patients op-
portunities to relax, to feel a sense of accomplishment, to discover

In addition to tapping into the natural interests of children, art is also beneficial in that it is easily delivered in a variety of
settings, including outpatient facilities, hospitals, classrooms and correctional facilities. Whether used in treatment by an art ther-
apist or as one component of a multi-faceted therapeutic program, few modalities offer the depth and breadth of therapeutic
benefits for children as art.

ABOUT CLARITY CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER

Clarity Child Guidance Center (CGC) is the only not-for-profit organization in South Texas providing crisis assessment, inpatient, outpatient
and day treatment mental health care to children ages 3-17.

Clarity CGC offers the region's largest concentration of child and adolescent psychiatrists, with its onsite affiliation with Southwest Psychiatric
Physicians. In addition, the center serves as a teaching hospital for The UT Health San Antonio and Baylor College of Medicine. Clarity CGC’s
treatment network includes an eight-acre campus in the South Texas Medical Center with a 66-bed hospital and six-bed Crisis Assessment
Center, as well as a Clarity Child Guidance Clinic located on the West Side of San Antonio.

Clarity CGC is also committed to removing the stigma often associated with mental illness and has created the One in Five Minds campaign
to raise awareness and educate the community, parents, professionals, and leaders about mental illness. Learn more and take the pledge at
www.1in5minds.org. Clarity CGC is a United Way agency and serves children in need, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

visit us at www.bcms.org 23