PHX Reporter

Patients at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, now have access to pool therapy as part of their treatment. This program is available at the hospital's onsite pool and will run until September. The therapy sessions are conducted twice a week by the facility’s recreational therapy department.

Aquatic therapy offers mental and physical benefits and is designed for patients dealing with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Erin Fox, head of the pool therapy program, explained that adolescent patients learn life skills through games like 'Marco/Polo' or 'Submarine', which focus on team building and collaboration. Adult patients often engage in swimming laps or water aerobics to support their overall well-being.

The hospital has provided aquatic therapy for 40 years but recently updated its curriculum to help patients use water therapy as a coping mechanism after discharge. "We have had patients that make comments about how their mood improves just being near the water or talk about childhood memories of being in the pool," said Fox. She emphasized that this is a supplemental program alongside other therapies offered at the hospital.

Banner Behavioral Health Hospital is part of Banner Health, a nonprofit organization offering confidential treatments for mental health and substance abuse issues across the Phoenix metropolitan area.