CIRCUS ARTS INSTITUTE
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CIRCUS ARTS THERAPY​®
FAQS

For questions regarding Circus Arts Therapy® that are not answered below,
​please contact Carrie Heller, MSW, LCSW, RPT at 404-549-3000.​
What is Circus Arts Therapy®?
​Circus Arts Therapy® is a unique fitness and play therapy tool focusing on circus activities. Our program provides a safe, cooperative environment online where participants learn fun and unique ground based circus skills and experience "Therapy in Action.” Our therapy programs are overseen and designed by Carrie Heller, MSW, LCSW, RPT.
     Our programming has transitioned online.  Participants will have a chance to utilize  ground circus  equipment to gain physical skills as well as learn important social skills such as teamwork, cooperation and self-confidence in a fun and safe environment. Carrie Heller, MSW, LCSW, RPT, also works with adults, couples, siblings and families in CAI's Circus Arts Therapy® room. 
     Carrie Heller’s approach in her Circus Arts Therapy® comes from over 30 years of working with both typical children and those with learning differences, both inside and outside of the therapy room. In her therapy work she assesses a child's physical capabilities and designs a series of activities using the ground based circus equipment and conditioning exercises for each child to work on, one on one, as well as with the group, thus attending simultaneously to other emotional, mental and social aspects of the child's development.

​Who is Circus Arts Therapy® for?
  • Circus Arts Therapy® is for people of all ages, including children three and older, pre-teens and teenagers with social, emotional, mental and physical challenges including attention difficulties, hyperactivity, sensory issues (including personal space and engine regulation), low self-confidence, difficulty interacting socially, and children who have trouble in large groups.
  • Families, siblings and couples in crisis or simply in need of some bonding time or strategies for building better bonds
  • Parents and Caregivers seeking education on their specific children's personalities and needs and training on how to incorporate play into their relationships as well as discussion of parenting styles.

How do I register for Circus Arts Therapy®?
Contact Carrie via phone at 404-549-3000 to register. An initial consultation is required before joining a Circus Arts Therapy® Small group. Tuition is payable by cash, check or credit card. Please do not email to register. Due to HIPAA regulations related to patient protected health information, we cannot communicate confidential information via email.

Are Circus Arts Therapy® programs safe?
Yes! Our Founder is known throughout the circus community as the "safety police.” Safety is our number one priority, and our instructors are all professionally trained with a focus on safety.
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For what ages are Circus Arts Therapy® designed?
Individual, family and couples Circus Arts Therapy® is available for all ages. Our therapy groups are designed for children ages 5-15 but exceptions can be made

Are siblings welcome to attend therapy sessions?
Yes, we are happy to include siblings and family members in therapy sessions.

Do you accept insurance?
Although we do not process insurance claims, we will provide receipts that can be turned into insurance providers for reimbursement. Insurance coverage's vary by plan, please contact your provider and ask if CPT codes 90791, 90853, 90834, 90846, and 90847 are covered by your plan (and frequency/number of sessions allowed).

When do Small Group Circus Arts Therapy® sessions take place?
Sessions are available August-December and January-May.  Also, a weekly summer session has also been added. 

What is required to enroll in therapy groups?
In order to join a social group, a child must be of the physical or mental ages of the appropriate therapy group, unless an exception is made by Carrie. Also, to join a group, the child must not have displayed aggressive behaviors towards others in the past 12 months; although Carrie will work on an individual basis with children who are displaying aggression to help decrease the aggressive behaviors before enrolling in group.

Do you have summer camp?
Currently, we do not have a summer camp. A variety of circus arts classes are available in the Atlanta area. Circus Camp offers summer and weekend programs for kids, and Circus 4 Youth is another organization for children interested in the Circus Arts.

Who is the Circus Arts Institute Director, Carrie Heller?
Carrie is the Founder and Director of the Circus Arts Institute. She has been teaching circus fitness and practicing therapy in Atlanta since 1988. She is a professional trapeze artist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist with over 40 years experience in circus arts. She has trained the trainers at Cirque Du Soliel’s outreach program, Cirque Du Monde, and she also founded the successful Atlanta Circus Camp in 1993. 

For more information about Carrie, click here.

Population Served

This program will benefit adults, children 3+ and pre-teens with the following needs:
​
  • Learning differences
  • Behavioral issues
  • Sensory and processing issues
  • ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, PDD
  • Emotional and physical challenges
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Anxiety issues
  • Eating disorders
  • Fear of Heights

 Benefits

Circus Arts Therapy® sessions are designed to increase:
  • Bilateral coordination skills
  • Muscle strength, including one’s core
  • Crossing the midline abilities
  • Brain and body balancing
  • Self esteem
  • Teamwork *
  • Ability to overcome fears
  • Communication with peers
  • Balance, flexibility and coordination
  • Focus and attention
  • Social timing
  • Listening
  • Following directions *
  • Physicality *

* Showed statistically significant positive clinical improvement in the published study of the Circus Arts Therapy®. See article here.

 Circus Arts Activities


Students will experience a variety of the following activities:
Low trapeze
​Trapeze
Soft rope climbing
Buddy and team walkers
Triple Trapeze
Juggling scarves and balls
Bouncy Balls
Hula hooping
​Handbalancing
Jump Roping
Balance boards
​Tight wire walking
Crash cushion jumping
Contact Carrie

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Find us

circusartsinstitute.com​​​​
404.549.3000
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All photographs are of students and trainees of Circus Arts Institute.
​There are no photographs of therapy clients on this website.

© COPYRIGHT 2023. Circus Arts Institute. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  • About CAI
    • Vision and Values
    • Carrie Heller
    • CAI Staff
    • In the Press
    • Gallery
    • Forms
    • Store
  • Circus Arts Therapy®
    • Services >
      • Group Circus Arts Therapy®
      • Filial Training
    • Published Research
    • FAQs
  • Trainings
    • Aerial Teacher Training >
      • Training Details
      • Dates & Rates
      • Certification Levels
      • FAQs
      • Rigging Resources
      • Registration Form
    • Circus Arts Therapy® Training >
      • Level 1 Curriculum
      • Level 2 Curriculum
      • Level 3 Curriculum
      • Dates & Rates
  • Circus Arts Fitness®
  • Contact