Logan Health Children’s is jumping on the bandwagon. While they still use traditional therapy, they want to do more. And with the use of gaming therapy, they are keeping everyone smiling. Recently, they’ve looked for a pediatric game technology specialist.
Logan Health Children’s Utilizes Gaming Therapy for Mental Health
The hospital in Kalispell, Montana has many young patients. Some have serious illnesses. And others may be recovering from surgery. Tristan Cline, their newest employee, is helping improve their moods. But this isn’t just any job for him. In fact, it is actually Cline’s dream job to help in such a way.
Going to work every day for this is the “craziest thing in the world.” Cline first got into video games as a kid. But he says that it was also useful to relieve stress from his time as a police officer. Using their gaming therapy, Logan Health Children’s helps keep kids’ minds off of their serious illnesses. While it can help, not many people believe that video games help in therapy. But it has been shown to improve brain function, dexterity, and elevate mood.
Slowly, the reasons he’d work at Logan Health Children’s started coming together. Tristan Cline’s move was motivated after being shot in the line of duty. And during his recovery period, it was gaming therapy that helped him get through. It was also a bonding experience, playing games with his kids during recovery. “We started playing video games together… and that’s how we reconnected.”
The job being available at Logan Health Children’s was thanks to a grant. A grant from Child’s Play Charity allowed the hospital to offer the job opportunity. Cline knew as soon as he saw the posting, he was the right man for the job.
Gaming can be available to everyone with the right technology. See what AbleGamers Foundation is up to. And check here to see available adaptive gaming resources.
