Recreational Therapy
The Recreation Therapy Department here at NVMHI includes Certified Recreation Therapists, a Group Fitness Instructor, and a Certified Music Therapist who are devoted to providing recovery centered treatment and recreation programming to the individuals served. The primary purpose of Recreation Therapy as a treatment is to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning and independence as well as reduces or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. In addition, our therapeutic recreation programs provide recreation resources and opportunities in order to improve health and well-being.
The benefits of Recreation Therapy of are endless!! Some of the benefits include but are not limited to stress reduction, increased socialization, coping mechanisms, improved physical and mental health, preparation for community reintegration, improved decision making skills, increased energy level, and overall leisure awareness.
Recreation Therapy groups offered here at NVMHI include Coping Skills, Leisure Education, Community Reintegration Outings, Volleyball, Basketball, Social Skills, and Leisure.com. We also have a Gym and Recreation Room where a variety of different programs are held like cooperative sports and exercise/fitness. For more information please visit www.recreationtherapy.com and www.atra-tr.org
Mission
To support the recovery of individuals at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute by assisting them to develop and maintain healthy leisure lifestyles that will improve their quality of life.
Goals of Recreation Therapy Programming
- Develop and maintain a healthy leisure lifestyle
- Improve quality of life
- Improve self-esteem
- Decrease recidivism
- Community reintegration
- Promote intrinsic motivation
- Increase socialization
- Increase coping skills
- Encourage self-expression
- Promote a well-balanced lifestyle
What is Recreation Therapy here at NVMHI?
We provide a combination of interventions through Group Fitness, Music Therapy, as well as Recreation Therapy that support both past and present leisure interests and abilities. We reinforce the importance of a healthy independent leisure lifestyle. A lack of a healthy leisure lifestyle is one of the leading causes of recidivism.
Group Fitness
Fitness and healthy living is an important part of everyday life. While the benefits of regular physical activity are endless to almost any population, a quality exercise program is particularly valuable in a mental health setting. It is common knowledge that regular exercise is a key factor in maintaining physical health, but exercise has also been proven to reduce feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety while improving confidence, self-esteem, and even quality of sleep.
Fitness groups offered at NVMHI include AM Stretch, Strength for Life, Cardio exercises, and creative movement, as well as recreational outings to explore fitness resources in the community that will be available to maintain a lifestyle full of physical activity.
Music Therapy
Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals. Music Therapy groups are led by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved Music Therapy program and passed an objective examination demonstrating competency. Music Therapy is an established health service similar to Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy and consists of using music therapeutically to address physical, psychological, cognitive and/or social functioning for patients of all ages. Because Music Therapy is a powerful and non-invasive medium, unique outcomes are possible.
Music Therapy sessions include the use of active music making, music listening, and discussion; groups at NVMHI include Music for Recovery, Music & Creativity, Expression thru Guitar, Music & Relaxation, and Music, Movement & Meditation. Individual Music Therapy sessions are also available by referral. For more information about Music Therapy please visit www.musictherapy.org.
Special Events
Recreation Therapy Internship
Internship opportunities are available. The Recreation Therapy Department accepts interns from accredited Recreational Therapy programs on a first come, first serve basis.
If interested or if you would like more information please contact:
Jessica Peters, CTRS or LaVonda McDonald, MEd, LRT/CTRS
Contact Information
Recreation Therapy Supervisor
LaVonda McDonald, MEd, LRT/CTRS
Music Therapist
Margel Snead, MMEd, MT-BC
Group Fitness Instructor
Carolyn McWilliams
Recreation Therapist
Jessica Peters, CTRS
Jeriesha Hodge, RT
Tara Bright, RT
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