Circus Arts Therapy
with Carrie Heller

Circus Arts Therapy can be beneficial to virtually every situation. We consider each individual’s requirement and specific situation then formulate therapy sessions that unite mental and physical dexterities in carefully planned combinations to achieve the desired objective.

Circus Arts Therapy is a unique experiential therapy utilizing Low Trapeze, Spanish Web – soft rope climbing with tricks, Circus Rings, Balance Boards, and other ground and aerial equipment in a safe, enthusiastic environment. This therapy is designed for children and teens with attention difficulties, behavioral and emotional issues, as well as physical challenges. The experience of circus equipment also helps to overcome the day-to-day fear of everyday challenges. Carrie also works with adults, particularly those experiencing behavioral and emotional issues, as well as physical challenges.  Please inquire.

Therapy group participants will work on skill development of focus, coordination, balance, flexibility, as well as social and emotional growth. In addition to improving muscle tone and overall strength they will learn new motor skills - engaging the whole body to achieve a fluid, smoothness of movement.

For information about weekend circus classes, please visit the Circus Camp website. 

Circus Arts Sensory Play Group
co-led by Carrie Heller, LCSW, and Florie Glusman, OTR/L

This is an ongoing weekly therapy group that meets at the circus arts institute. Sign up for one session, several sessions... or all year long!

New Session starting March 24!

4:15 -5:30/ Ages 5-9  

Who is this group designed for? 

This group is appropriate for the child with mild to moderate sensory integration challenges.  It is for the child who likes to stimulate their imagination and creativity in a playful, sensory-based setting.  Your child may currently be working with an occupational therapist, clinical social worker, physical therapist, psychologist, or speech therapist.  This group has been created as a means of supplementing your child’s therapy services.  Intake forms filled out by both parents and a service provider are requested to make sure your child is a good fit for the group.  

Description: 

Circus Arts Sensory Play  has been created by both Carrie Heller, LCSW and Florie Glusman, OTR/L as a means of incorporating the exciting world of circus arts with occupational  therapy and clinical social work.  There is a strong correlation between sensory integration therapy and the world of circus arts.  Many of the goals in a child’s individual therapy sessions can be better attained through intensity.  This group offer’s parents a fun way for their child to work on their individual goals outside of their weekly treatment sessions in a group environment.  All of the activities done in this group will be done through a multi-sensory approach.  Each of these sensory motor classes will include specific activities to encourage and enhance: 

•  Bilateral coordination skills 
•  Muscle strength, including one’s core 
•  Crossing the midline abilities 
•  Brain and body balancing 
•  Planning/performance of gross and fine motor skills 
•  Self esteem 
•  Teamwork 
•  Ability to overcome fears 
•  Communication with peers 
•  Self regulation 

Each group, under the direction of an occupational therapist and a clinical social worker will ultimately be designed and created by the children in the group.  The encouragement of giving the children the power to create and work together is one of our goals.  The first four sessions will be used to teach the children different circus arts skills and activities that they will be able to use for the show that they will create together.  When the children are ready they will be in charge of creating the circus from beginning to end, with the therapist on board to help them organize and create their ideas.  All the children together will help in creating the circus theme, decide what they would individually like to be in charge of, what parts they want to be, writing invitations, creating a program, etc.  

Invitations will also be given out to whomever the children would like to invite to their performance on the last day of the group.  

Please call 404-549-3000 to register and discuss which group would be best for your child.

NOTE: Circus Arts Institute is a private facility. An entry code is required for entry and will be provided with confirmation of payment and registration.

Click here for the updated CASP flyer.


For information regarding Sensawee Play and Florie Glusman please visit the Sensawee Play website.

Move, Feel, Learn, Live It! Summer Therapy Group Program
co-led by Christy Kennedy, OTR/L, Annemarie Messerschmidt, LCSW and Carrie Heller, LCSW 

This is a week long, 1/2 day program that will meet at Christy Kennedy's office in Decatur, GA.

Sessions are: 
June 16-20 9am-12:30pm Ages 7-9
June 23-27 9am-12:30pm Ages 4-6

This program offers you and your child the opportunity to put into action the principals of sensory processing, “How Does Your Engine Run?” and social skills. A small group of 8 children (with breakout groups of 4) will come together to learn how to appropriately and effectively express their feelings in an active playgroup setting. Children’s reactions to various sensory stimuli will be used to help them understand what helps them to feel comfortable and successful and what makes them feel irritated or overwhelmed. Their behavioral response (both favorable and unfavorable) will be pointed out to them “in the moment” so that they can better understand their own feelings and behavior as well as that of others. This “in the moment” support is intended to give them the information and tools they need to better choose effective and appropriate “Engine Helpers” which in turn will increase successful social interaction and boost their feeling of self-worth.

 At the end of each session, the parents will be asked to participate in a 20-min group review of what activities the children participated in, their child’s general response and suggestions as to what activities can be done at home to support this learning process. General “Homework Assignments” will also be given to the parents to help reinforce what is being taught in the group setting.

Prerequisite: Attendance at 3 lectures prior to the summer proram by Christy Kennedy. This is intended to help parents recognize and support their children in what they will learn in this summer's program.

Click here for the updated Summer Group flyer. [page1] [page2]

For information regarding Christy Kennedy and her work, please email her at Ckennedy@mindspring.com.