The TTAP Method Program is a 9-step creative arts program that provides therapeutic benefits to participants. It incorporates conversation, meditation, drawing, clay making, music/dance, poetry, food, celebration, and photo collage. An evaluation of the program at Dobb's Ferry Children's Village found that it helped residents with substance abuse and anger issues lower their anger and depression. Participants engaged well with meditation, poetry, and dance. The program enabled personal growth and stronger social bonds among residents.

1. Internship at Dobb’s Ferry Children’s Village The TTAP Method Program with adolescents from Children’s Village, in Dobb’s Ferry, New York. Patrick M. Sheehan

2. The TTAP Method Programincorporates all the creative arts in 9 steps: 1.Conversation 2.Meditation 3.Drawing 4.Clay making 5. Music/dance 6. Poetry/use of words 7. Food for thought 8. Food event/celebration/theme event 9. Photo collage

3. Benefits of the Ttap method The TTAP Method program has tremendous consequential benefits for anyone who partakes in this creative arts program that has a total of nine steps. Each step works on a myriad of functions and affects all the therapeutic domains (social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual). This program works on all the senses and provides an opportunity for individuals to grow individually as well as a group. Having gone through the TTAP method myself I can honestly say it will develop into your personality and past and help you grow as an individual.

4. Benefits of the Ttap Method Program Social: Benefits are plentiful in each program, there are innumerable opportunities for the participants to engage, share information, connect with one another, and more importantly interact and become long term friends after the program has transpired. Emotional: This program has the capacity to help alleviate anxiety and depression. There are a number of opportunities for participants to express their inner demons or struggles and express their identities to others.

5. The TTAPMethodProgram Cognitive: The TTP Method Program provides strategic cognitive interventions and mind exercises to help keep the participants cognitively active and sharp. These creative arts programs have tremendous consequential benefits for all participants. These programs provide opportunities for creative thinking and help stimulate neurons in both sides of the brain and help fight memory diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Physical: These creative arts programming provide opportunities for sensory stimulation as well as movement and breathing techniques, which all help the body as a whole to function on a higher level.

6. The Ttap Method Program Spiritual: There are a myriad of avenues throughout this continuum of creative programs, which make up the TTAP Method for spiritual gratification to be embraced. During meditation is an evident opportunity for spiritual moments to be relished by all participants in the group. During music/dance and movement a spiritual connection can be realized through inner and outer energy that is embraced during this program collectively by the participants as well as the Recreational Therapist. The art portion can also evoke spirituality and a healing process within individuals.

7. Evaluation of programs The boys that I conducted the TTAP method on at The children's village had issues with substance abuse and anger management. They were tough the first week but continued to get better as the time ran on. They did an outstanding job, and epitomized their creativity through the nine steps. They enjoyed the meditation and really got involved with the poetry and dancing portion of the programming. Overall these boys did themselves proud and illustrated the positive effects the TTAP method can have on a children as well as older adolescents and adults.

8. Research Stats I conducted a mini-research on how the boys were affected by the TTAP Method from 1 being the lowest, and 5 being the highest how the program helped them in the following areas: On average the boys reported a ratio of 4.5 in the first session for anger. By the ninth step of the TTAP method the boys on average reported a ratio of 2.5 for anger.

9. On average the research showed that the children went from having a ratio of 4.7 for depression and low self esteem down to a 3.0 by the end of the TTAP Method program.

11. This beautiful piece was sculpted by a resident who says that the ocean is a world within our world that has not been damaged by greed. Moreover, he said that it has not been fully discovered yet. And for him this is what life is about, going places we have never been. The method brought out his hopes, dreams and desires.

12. This resident made what he called a “sea doughnut” which represents life. He told us that life is very sweet but very tough like the water, it can take you at any given moment.

13. This resident decided to draw a picture with burgers and fries. He told us that this is the one type of food that helps him forget all the bad stuff. In addition, he enjoys how it tastes and that it is cheap. In a group it is very important to get children to share, the TTAP Method assists in the therapeutic process.

15. This resident professes he saw himself fighting for the World Heavy Weight Championship during his meditation. He told the group that he wants to take boxing when he leaves the Children’s Village while working on the side. I had never seen such deep personal moments shared between with these before doing the method.

19. The celebration/group poetry The beauty of Jamaica “The water is rippling; the sky is raging with sunshine There is fruit sizzling and women shining The fruits are waiting to grabbed from the tree The wind is singing a Jamaican tune The birds are gathering, the drums are echoing The fruit drinks are celebrities The guys are laughing and nature is in its purest glory There is smell of beans and rice There is a sound of relaxation and a feel redemption Jamaica man will always be free.” (Bradish cottage)

21. This is a program that has tremendous consequential benefits for any one who participates in it, regardless of age, gender, creed, or race, etc.

22. Overall, this program went better than I could have wished for and better than any of the participants had expected. This program enabled the children to take colossal steps towards maturity and discover new elements of themselves that they were yearning to unearth. Staff who had been at the facility for 10 to 20 years were amazed at the results.