Thesis (MA)--University of Chicago. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--La Crosse, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-38).

This qualitative case study research chronicles the process of change during play therapy of two children who experienced maternal loss and maltreatment during the first two years of life. At the outset of this study both children presented with evidence of insecure attachment as well as symptoms and behaviour consistent with maltreatment. Over the course of a year of therapy, both demonstrated profound change and healing. The study concludes that the children were able to utilize the safety, consistency, and affirmation of the therapeutic relationship to discard old models of relating, and to construct new internal representational models of self and of self in relation to others. Once old models were discarded, the children returned to the earliest stage of damage and reworked attachment salient developmental tasks while in relation with the therapist. The projective materials of the play therapy space provided the medium through which the children externalized selected trauma and critical incidents that shaped their maladaptive models. As the therapist gave voice to the previously unacknowledged experiences, the child's authentic self was able to disentangle from the trauma. The pattern by which the self emerged and developed over the course of therapy approximated developmental pathways described by prominent self theorists (Bretherton & Beeghly, 1982; Mahler et.al, 1975; Stern, 1985). Change was exhibited in the classroom approximately 10 to 14 weeks after the children were initially seen in therapy. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

No description available.

This study of recreational therapy was made in order to determine the use of physical education as a therapeutic for the mentally maladjusted student.

The theoretical and historical foundations of body work and movement therapies are explored. Wilhelm Reich is credited with bringing into prominence the inclusion of the body in psychotherapy. His influence on Alexander Lowen and Fritz Perls is explored in detail. The importance in psychotherapy of breathing, energy, self-expression, spontaneous movement, and awareness is stressed. Six expressive movement therapies -- Gestalt body work, t'ai chi, encounter group exercises, bioenergetic therapy, psychomotor training, and dance therapy -- are described in detail. An evaluation and comparison of the various movement forms is offered, along with suggestions for outcome research in the area. The authors believe the inclusion of body work and expressive movement in psychotherapy is important, either as a sole intervention technique or as an adjunct to traditional verbal methods.

The problem with which this study is concerned is the delineation of current practices in therapeutic recreation in psychiatric treatment centers in Texas, The programs of the forty-two hospitals responding to the survey questionnaire were evaluated in terms of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society's "Standards for Therapeutic Recreation in Psychiatric Facilities." It was determined that, while the use of recreation in psychiatric rehabilitation is widespread, many programs are not administratively independent., A close association between recreation and occupational therapy was found. Extensive recreation facilities and activities were reported. Use of community resources was widespread, but follow-up and leisure counseling services were rare. Most personnel had no recreation training. The evaluation showed limited compliance with the standards.

The study was conducted to determine the current status and employment needs for therapeutic recreation personnel in selected agencies in the state of Texas. The study provided the first definitive information on therapeutic recreation manpower needs on a state-wide basis. The study determined the status of therapeutic recreation personnel and assisted in identifying projected training needs in the state of Texas. A survey was mailed to 114 Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and parks and recreation agencies. Information was requested concerning General Agency Information, Recreation Services, Current Employment, Current Therapeutic Recreation Personnel, Projected Employment and Bilingual Employees and Client information.

Client satisfaction is an important outcome indicator because it measures multiple domains of the quality of healthcare and rehabilitation service delivery. It is especially important in occupational therapy because it is also client-centered. There are multiple domains of satisfaction and findings described in previous research; however, there is no single standard of measuring client satisfaction or any single working model describing the relationship among variables influencing satisfaction. This research was designed to apply a measure of satisfaction in rehabilitation and to develop a working model of satisfaction. This study was an exploratory and predictive study using a large existing dataset to test a working logic model of client satisfaction, determine the best predictors of satisfaction, and then to revise the model for future research. After developing the Satisfaction with a Continuum of Care (SCC) in a pilot study, the SCC was completed by 1104 clients from a large Midwest rehabilitation hospital. The SCC results were paired with administrative data with client demographics, functional status, and measures of the` rehabilitation process. Six research questions on the predictors of satisfaction with client-centeredness and clinical quality were answered using logistic regression. Significant predictors of satisfaction were having a neurological disorder, total rehabilitation hours, and admission to rehabilitation within 15 days of onset. The most robust and consistent predictors of satisfaction in this study were aspects of functional status as measured by the Functional Independence Measure especially improvement in overall and self-care functioning. The results in the study were consistent with some previous research and inconsistent with others. The finding that improvements in functional status were highly predictive of satisfaction supports the worth that clients place on rehabilitation results including the self-care improvements focused on by occupational therapy. This study was a partnership involving occupational therapy and a rehabilitation hospital. The finding that changes in self-care function were predictive of satisfaction was intended to isolate the effects of OT. There is a need to demonstrate outcomes and link these to occupational therapy and other rehabilitation disciplines to continue to identify best practices and contribute to the rehabilitation literature.

The purpose of this study was to explore the utilization of specialized camp services among parents of a child with a disability. This study sought to investigate specialized camp services as respite for families. The data was gathered utilizing a mixed method survey approach. The surveys were distributed to primary caregivers of a child with a disability who have attended Camp Paivika within the past three years. The sample size of this study was 69 respondents. The results show that the family unit benefits by way of de-isolation. The camper increases social skills, confidence, and independence. The caregivers experience emotional stress relief along with an increased ability to connect with other family members. The siblings of the child with a disability experience a relief of responsibilities associated with having a sibling with a disability as well as an ability to partake in family activities they may not otherwise be able to do. In conclusion, this research indicates positive familial benefits to out-of-home recreational respite services, such as a specialized camp services. Future research on the benefits will give the field of social work greater insight into the importance of out-of-home recreational respite.