Recreation Therapists Empower Veterans Through Purposeful Healing at Columbia VAHCS

At the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, Jan Talkis-Rigney, CTRS, serves as the inpatient recreation therapist on Recovery West and also provides outpatient services to the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center. Kinsey Silvers, CTRS, works as the Whole Health outpatient recreation therapist, helping Veterans build healthier lives through meaningful activity.

Both say Recreation Therapy goes far beyond simply “playing games.”

“Recreation Therapy is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and disabling conditions, as a means to improve their quality of life,” Talkis-Rigney said.

Silvers describes it as a hands-on approach to healing.

“Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on discussion and verbal communication, Recreation Therapy uses activities and engagement as primary tools for healing and growth,” she said. “We use people’s interests, hobbies and recreational activities to promote positive changes in their lives.”

On Recovery West, Talkis-Rigney begins each Veteran’s stay with a face-to-face assessment. She asks what brought them to the hospital, explores substance use concerns, learns about their military service and identifies leisure interests. She documents that information in the Veteran’s chart and uses it to design goal-oriented interventions.

Recreation Therapy plays a clinical, functional and recovery-oriented role on the unit. Programs focus on symptom stabilization, treatment engagement, peer support and restoring quality of life.

In one recent group session, Talkis-Rigney divided Veterans into teams and challenged them to build a free-standing tower using only straws and pipe cleaners. The activity required communication, cooperation and problem-solving.

As the teams worked, the lesson became clear: recovery requires a strong foundation. Just as a tower collapses without stability at its base, long-term healing depends on rebuilding coping skills, social connections and purpose.

Talkis-Rigney regularly uses creative and expressive interventions to help Veterans process emotions. During one watercolor session, she asked participants to paint what they were feeling while soothing instrumental music played in the background.

One Veteran, who had experienced physical, emotional and financial abuse, painted a peaceful backyard scene with a large tree and sunlight streaming down onto a swing.

“When I asked about his painting, he said it was the most peace he had felt in a long time,” Talkis-Rigney recalled. “That simple program made a difference in that Veteran’s life at that moment.”

She often hears misconceptions about her profession.

“Some people think all we do is play all day,” she said. “Recreation Therapy is evidence-based and goal-oriented. Our groups reduce agitation, improve engagement in treatment, build social skills and increase motivation.”

In the outpatient setting, Silvers integrates Recreation Therapy into the VA’s Whole Health model, which emphasizes care for the mind, body and spirit.

Her days rarely look the same. She may lead expressive arts, therapeutic gardening, Tai Chi, watercolor technique classes, yoga, strength training or cardio boxing. Each activity aligns with Veterans’ personal goals and interests.

“My role is to listen and work with Veterans to create personalized plans,” Silvers said. “That ensures the activities are meaningful and connected to what matters most to them.”

Silvers’ passion for the field began in childhood after she was hospitalized with Type 1 diabetes. A child life specialist and recreation therapist helped her cope with the diagnosis and made a frightening experience more manageable.

“That experience significantly improved how I coped,” she said. “It inspired me to do the same for others.”

Through Whole Health Recreation Therapy, Veterans of all ages, branches and backgrounds come together. Silvers sees improved mood, decreased isolation, better coping skills and enhanced physical endurance as common long-term outcomes.

Community reintegration also remains a priority.

“Isolation can be a significant issue for Veterans,” Silvers said. “By creating opportunities for social connection and community involvement, we help them build supportive networks and engage with the world around them.”

Expressive art classes have proven especially powerful.

“I’ve watched Veterans open up, share experiences and explore self-expression,” she said. “Watching them connect and grow together is incredibly rewarding.”

Both therapists emphasize that Recreation Therapy addresses the whole person — mental, physical and social well-being. Interventions can help manage PTSD, depression, anxiety and substance use disorders, while adaptive sports and movement programs support physical health and confidence.

Success looks different for each Veteran. It may mean improved emotional regulation, increased social engagement, greater physical stamina or renewed motivation.

Above all, both therapists want Veterans and staff to understand the value of participation.

“Recreation Therapy is fun,” Silvers said. “You won’t even notice you are working to become healthier. Give it a try — you might be pleasantly surprised by the difference it can make.”

Talkis-Rigney agrees that the work speaks for itself.

By building strong foundations — one activity, one connection and one moment of peace at a time — Recreation Therapists at Columbia VAHCS help Veterans reclaim purpose and move forward in recovery.

For more information about what’s going on at the Columbia VA medical center, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, keyword: VAColumbiaSC.