The San Quentin Mental Health Department offers recreation therapy, an important aspect of rehabilitation for the incarcerated.
The Enhanced Outpatient Program (EOP) in H-unit, supervised by Dr. Robin Farrell, “employs four recreation therapists. They facilitate different therapy groups, assisting clinicians with their patient care.”
The therapists do far more than just play games with patients. According to the program, they guide the groups and spend a lot of time with the patients, so they know when a patient is not doing well.
“Rec Therapy uses games, sports, and art as a treatment modality. Plus spiritual, social, emotional, cognitive, and mental well-being,” said Stephanie Vo, a senior recreational therapist.
According to Kevin Carreon, an H-Unit recreational therapist, the program humanizes through interactions, conveying that when humility is instilled, it places a therapist and patient on a level playing field. In facilitating groups, therapist let patients know, “we all have strengths to offer.”
The program enables individuals to flourish as they participate in activities, the goal is to help a person avoid a crisis.
“Sometimes when the program is modified and I’m feeling bad, having group [on the] yard can really change my mood, said George Johnson a participant of the program. “The rec therapist really helped me with my coping skills.”
The therapists are dedicated to the incarcerated patients, which helps those preparing to re-enter society. When residents parole, they’re ready for the free world, feeling prepared and comfortable when facing stressful situations, said Vo.
“I love the idea of utilizing the fact that I can use laughter as my superpower,” said Larissa Gonzales about her position as a therapist.
According to the EOP supervisor, therapists provide an important part of a support network. She said they help compliment the rest of SQ’s mental health programs, “they provide an invaluable service.”
M. Vuong reflected on how she became a recreational therapist. “I remember my grandmother being in the hospital because she had a stroke. I saw her working with the physical therapist and I really admired what he did,” said Vuong.
She started volunteering months later and came to the conclusion that the therapists did not know their patients well. She asked the volunteer director if there was another way she could help and he recommended a recreational therapist.
“I fell in love after the first day,” said Vuong.
Vuong said in becoming a therapist, she worked continuously in school, where she told people that working at San Quentin would be her dream. She went to a therapy conference and one the attendees brought up yoga practice in prison. The wages were decent, and the incarcerated people were underserved — Vuong was inspired. “Five years later, here I am.”
