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Activities Therapy

Activities Therapy

Activity Therapy Department

The Activity Therapy (AT) Department at Fuller Hospital is comprised of a dynamic team of professionals from diverse backgrounds and specializations, working together to create opportunities for patient expression and catharsis as well as using structured activities to target treatment goals.

Below are some of the subspecialties we offer, as well as information about our group work and internship program.

Music Therapy

Music Therapy is the clinical and research-based use of music interventions by a board certified professional to accomplish treatment goals. Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses, creating treatment plans and conducting ongoing program evaluations. The aim of therapy is to help individuals develop relationships and address issues they may not be able to address using words alone. Music therapy sessions can include the use of active music making, improvisation, drum circles, songwriting, guided imagery/relaxation, music listening, and/or discussion.

Credential: Music Therapist – Board Certified

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It can simply be filling in a coloring book, but it can go so much further when paired with clinical psychology practices. It can be in a group setting, or an individual one, open studio or structured project. Surprises often come up during concentrated art making, and with the right processing and discussion, self-discovery can be at a patient’s fingertips.

Credentials: Registered Art Therapist, Registered Art Therapist-Board Certified, Art Therapy Certified Supervisor.

Recreational Therapy

Recreational therapy is an established health related profession committed to promoting the connection between health and recreation involvement. In healthcare, it promotes play, recreation and leisure as a means to psychological and physical recovery, health and well-being among individuals experiencing illness or disabilities. Recreational therapists use individual and group counseling techniques and play, recreation and other activity-based interventions to maximize an individual’s functioning and promote quality of life. Interventions can include: Exercise Programs, Animal Assisted Therapy, Social Skills Training, Journaling, Creative Arts, and Leisure Education.

Credential: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Substance Abuse Counseling

Substance abuse counseling is a comprehensive mental health field charged with helping individuals recover from drug or alcohol addiction. While much focus is on the substance abuse itself, substance abuse counseling also seeks to address related issues in social, emotional, occupational, and mental health functioning. A substance abuse counselor is a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems, eating disorders and other behavioral issues. They teach individuals how to modify their behavior and provide prevention and crisis care with the intention of promoting full recovery.

Credentials: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and/or Certified Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor

 

Group Therapy

The AT Department offers both psychoeducational as well as process-oriented groups, facilitated using a variety of therapeutic modalities. On any given day throughout their treatment process, patients have access to at least four licensed groups. Their day may look somewhat like this:

10:00 AM        Creative Expression

11:00 AM        Teambuilding (in the gym)

1:00 PM           Anger Management

2:00 PM           Relapse Prevention

3:00 PM           Coping Skills

 

Other groups we offer include:

  • Mindfulness
  • Creative Coping
  • Pet Therapy
  • Social Skills
  • Challenge Group
  • Early Recovery
  • Active Movement
  • Stress Management
  • Leisure Education
  • Healthy Boundaries
  • Relationship Skills
  • Positive Psychology
  • Recreation and Recovery, etc.

Internship Opportunities

The AT Department is currently accepting interns from the following disciplines* to apply:

  • Music Therapy
  • Art Therapy
  • Dance Therapy
  • Drama Therapy
  • Recreational Therapy
  • Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Nursing
  • Social Work
  • Psychology

 *Other related fields are encouraged to inquire regarding their eligibility.

A typical day in the AT intern’s life involves:

  • Updating census
  • Preparing and printing group notes for each unit
  • Delivering them to nursing stations
  • Reading medical charts and rounding with staff
  • Attending treatment planning meetings
  • Facilitating 1-4 groups
  • Documenting patient progress/participation in forms
  • Providing alternative activities or materials for patients unable to attend groups
  • Debriefing with supervisor at least once a day