Name: Madison Dorman
Credentials: B.S., CTRS
Practice Setting: Mental Health and Behavioral Health in a Residential Setting

For Madison Dorman, recreational therapy is more than a profession—it’s a path she was clearly meant to walk.

Madison knew early on that she wanted to become a therapist. While attending Arkansas Tech University in 2013, her journey took an unexpected turn when she didn’t enter the therapy program she originally planned. That moment led her to meet Dr. Cathi McMahan—and everything changed.

“In that moment,” Madison shares, “something in me knew that the Lord truly knew what He was doing placing me in this field.”

From that point forward, Madison fell in love with recreational therapy. She cherished her undergraduate experiences working with different populations, enjoyed every moment of her internship, and began her career in acute mental and behavioral health care. Her journey eventually led her to become a Recreational Therapist Director for children and adolescents in residential care—a role that allows her to make a lasting impact every day.

Why Recreational Therapy Matters 💙

Madison believes recreational therapy matters because healing often happens in the small moments—the ones people outside the profession may overlook.

Daily living skills, self-esteem building, sports, yoga, and creative expression all help people grow stronger by improving cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. One experience in particular stays close to Madison’s heart.

She recalls an outing with a residential client who was a survivor of human trafficking. As part of the client’s healing journey, they worked on goals related to depression, social interaction, self-esteem, and money management. The session centered around something simple yet deeply meaningful: buying a new pair of shoes.

The client owned a pair of Jordans that had been given to her by her trafficker. Letting go of them was difficult—they were a painful reminder of trauma and PTSD. Together, Madison and her client spent time reflecting on what the client truly liked before the trauma. They revisited her personal style, practiced money management skills, and prepared emotionally for the outing.

At the mall, they moved at the client’s pace—laughing, practicing social skills, and celebrating choice and independence. The client chose a black-and-white pair of Vans that truly felt like her. Afterward, they held a session to say goodbye to the Jordans.

“It was a process,” Madison shares, “but the weight that lifted off her shoulders was incredible.”

When the client put on her new Vans, her posture changed. Her head lifted. The light returned to her eyes. In that moment, healing was visible.

“This is when you see,” Madison says, “that recreational therapy is not someone who just plays BINGO. It’s someone who breaks down barriers and helps a person rebuild themselves—to love themselves and function in life again when they were once told they never could.”

What People Often Don’t See

One thing Madison wishes others understood is how deeply intentional recreational therapy truly is.

“We break down barriers to gain trust,” she explains. “We take activities and break them into steps so anyone can succeed.”

Recreational therapists don’t just plan activities—they create pathways to confidence, independence, and joy. They help clients see what’s possible, even when they’ve spent a lifetime being told it isn’t.

The Heart of the Work

Madison’s story reminds us that recreational therapy is about choice, dignity, and hope. It’s about walking alongside people as they rediscover who they are—and who they can become.

💙 That’s RT in HeaRT.