Jennifer Strigl's experience with therapy blankets

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Jennifer Strigl
Speech therapist 

"As a speech therapist, I like to use it with children who come to therapy already excited or restless. It is placed over the legs on the chair during work and can help to concentrate better and engage with the situation."”

How did you come across the therapy blanket concept?

I became aware of the therapy blankets through the internet, as we are always looking for suitable, supportive materials for our health practice. The design and diverse range appealed to me very much and I definitely wanted to try the blanket. The website gives a good overview of the range of blankets for children and adults. We decided on one of the children's blankets because it is particularly suitable for our work. These come in wonderful, appealing designs. The cover is removable and washable, which is especially suitable for our therapy routine. The reviews and experiences of other experts made us curious and convinced us to test the blanket ourselves. The delivery was quick and uncomplicated. So we could start using it right away.

How do you personally experience using a weighted blanket? 

I have already worked with weighted blankets, but have not actually tried them in everyday life myself. With this therapy blanket, I took the chance and also tested it at home. I find it has a very pleasant and calming effect. It gives you a feeling of security and you immediately feel better yourself. I especially like to use the blanket after a stressful day to wind down on the sofa. But it also helps well with falling asleep quickly. Many cannot imagine that it is pleasant to lie under "weight" until they have tried it themselves and realize how quickly it triggers a soothing, cozy feeling. I also like to put it on my lap when working on rainy days and feel that I can work better with it. My husband was also immediately enthusiastic about it and fell asleep faster. 

In which medical fields do you think the use of therapy blankets is useful?

I find the use in therapeutic everyday life very meaningful. I think even more therapists should share their experiences working with the therapy blanket with each other. I also believe that the use of therapy blankets in hospitals (especially for children) could be useful. After having spent several days myself in the hospital with my little son, I can imagine that such a blanket would have created security and comfort in the stressful situation and away from home. In psychological counseling, the blanket also makes a lot of sense to provide protection and support. Its use in work with stress and burnout (prevention) also seems very sensible to me. Our time is so fast-paced and stressful that such a blanket can help to feel oneself again more and also to focus more on sensing again.

Where do you already successfully use therapy blankets?

We use the therapy blanket professionally in our interdisciplinary practice. It is used in occupational therapy and speech therapy, as well as in psychosocial counseling. As a speech therapist, I like to use it with children who come to therapy already excited or restless or who find it difficult to perceive their body well. It is placed over the legs on the chair during work and can help to concentrate better and engage with the situation. I also like to use it when treating patients with voice or swallowing disorders on the therapy couch to give them a pleasant, safe feeling. I can hardly imagine therapy without the therapy blanket anymore. In psychological counseling, the blanket can become an important tool to ground, feel, or calm oneself in exciting situations. In occupational therapy, it is used both for perception and also carried or pulled through the room to stimulate deep sensitivity. So it is used daily in many different ways. 

Your personal conclusion

I find the therapy blankets a wonderful addition to everyday therapy. They can be used as a helpful measure to support children and adults in their work. They can contribute to concentration, be used as a ritual, or provide protection and security on stressful days. I think it's nice to give children the opportunity to self-regulate with such a blanket. They can take the blanket themselves and do something good for themselves.
It will find its place in the cozy corner at home with us and can help while reading a book, relaxing, and unwinding, and is meant to become a companion in everyday life. 
In practice, we will also test and try out more models to have the right model ready for every situation. I will definitely introduce them to many people to let them feel their pleasant effect, both in private and professional contexts. Also a nice gift idea to bring joy to a family member or friends and help them relax. 
To the therapy blankets