KEVIN SPENCER is widely considered the leading authority on the therapeutic use of magic in rehabilitation. He has collaborated on numerous published and award-winning research projects (http://magictherapy.com/research.html) exploring the effectiveness of "magic therapy." He speaks at healthcare-related conferences and conducts continuing education workshops at colleges, universities, hospitals and rehab centers throughout the U.S. and around the world.
"Using magic as a therapeutic modality empowers therapists with an exciting new tool to help clients achieve functional/measurable goals."
- Debbie M. Fisher, MS, OTR, CHT
The concepts of HEALING OF MAGIC have been approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association and featured in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
"As an institution, we were very interested in partnering with the local community to sponsor Kevin's visit. In planning his day, we had a wide variety of staff who work with diverse populations making requests for Kevin's time. There were inpatient occupational and physical therapists; outpatient occupational therapists; child life staff; recreational and occupational therapists working with adults on our rehabilitation unit; and healthcare providers from other disciplines (psychology, spiritual care, social work, and others). Kevin went above and beyond to meet each therapist's individual requests. He accomplished a lot in one day and we were delighted to receive very favorable feedback from staff and patients."
- Dr. Joel Wish, Ph.D, Director of Health Psychology and Pediatric Inpatient Rehab Team
There are three ways to implement the HEALING OF MAGIC Project into your community. The first is by reaching out to your Medical and Healthcare Professionals with an exciting continuing education workshop, seminar, or inservice program.
"Healing of Magic was the best workshop I have attended in 30 years of being a therapist!"
- Dough Litscher, PT
THERAPIST WORKSHOP : Spencer offers a hands-on workshop that can be offered for continuing education credit or professional development (inservice project). The target audience is therapists from a variety of areas - Occupational, Physical, Speech, Recreational, and Behavioral. Resource materials are provided to each participant and learned information can be used immediately in their practice.
This workshop can be available from 45 minute inservice projects to 4 hour continuing education workshops - and everything in between. It is fully customizable to the needs of the medical professionals.
MAGICAL MOMENTS : There's no better way to describe these visits to hospitals, rehab centers, assisted-living facilities, A.R.C. meetings, and more than to call them "magical moments."
"I can't thank you enough for the joy and excitement that you gave to our residents. The expressions on their faces were priceless! They never realized that their therapy that day would be so magical!"
- Sandy Swider, Beechwood Rehabilitation Center, CT
As a way of adding a little "magic" to the lives of those with developmental and intellectual challenges, Spencer performs and teaches simple magic tricks to clients in a way that captivates their interest, carrying them through obstacles such as pain, frustration, and boredom. And since all the tricks are designed to improve physical, psychological, perceptual, and social functioning, the clients benefit in numerous ways!
"Experiencing Kevin's outreach program for the first time was a personal high point for me. I intended to make a brief appearance at the ARC Center and found it hard to tear myself away 75 minutes later. It was inspirational and proved to me that the thrill of magic is universal fun!"
- Janie Oldfield (Executive Director), Rosebud Theatre, IL
NOTE: Workshop Information and Registration Forms are available for download in the Presenters Information section.
