Category: Therapy Methods

Playgrounds are often thought of as a space for kids to play and get energy out. The reality for school therapists and teachers is they can provide an outdoor therapy space and classroom. In addition to this, playgrounds are areas that students feel safe in because they are associated with fun. This helps to lower student anxiety and resistance to talking, working on skills, and more. When weather permits, school counselors, therapists, and special education teachers are working in time on playgrounds to incorporate therapy sessions and lesson plans.

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Schools across the country are seeing an increase of students that require different types of therapy needs. Some of these may be due to special needs, but often times it is for mental, social, and developmental reasons. Sometimes traditional therapy with a school psychologist may be beneficial. However, not all children are willing to open up. In addition to this, some many not simply need to talk things over in their life. They may actually need a form of therapy that is abstract and personalized to them to decrease their anxiety, depression, or stress levels.

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People all over the world have been utilizing the arts to assist individuals who are experiencing problems in their life. Between experiencing tragedy or anxiety debilitating them, art therapy may help. Art therapy may include painting, sculpture, or other options using a wide selection of art media. While there is little data available to back up what therapists have seen, creative expression can be powerful to those in need of healing. Even without the statistics to prove the relationship with mental health help, many schools and communities are embracing art therapy.

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There are some people who may find cooking to be a daily chore that stresses them. At the same time, others not only enjoy preparing food, but feel it is therapeutic. Research has shown that these individuals are wise in noting therapeutic benefits. Culinary therapy is becoming more popular all over the country, including in our schools. What is culinary therapy, you ask? It is a form of therapy which includes cooking and related activities like gardening, meal planning, educational grocery shopping, and experience in restaurants. Programs are run by chefs and/or therapists.

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Horticultural therapy has been around for a long time. Originally, it was mostly used to help patients with mental illness. As time went on, more therapists noted that there were multiple benefits of working with plants and in gardens. Horticulture therapy is used within rehabilitation, vocational, and community settings like schools. This therapy not only helps students to learn new skills, it is beneficial in many ways. Horticultural therapy may help students to work on social skills, increase cognitive ability, task initiation, and strengthening muscles. For those working with physical therapists on gross motor ability, they often see improvements with coordination, balance, and endurance after horticultural therapy is implemented.

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