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 are already excited or restless when they come to therapy. It is placed over the legs on the chair while working 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. On the website, you get a good overview of the range of blankets for children and adults. We decided on one of the children's blankets because it is especially suitable for our work. These come in wonderfully appealing designs. The cover is removable and washable, which is especially suitable for our therapy everyday life. 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 actually not yet 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 calming, 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 meaningful?

I find the use in therapeutic everyday life very meaningful. I think even more therapists should share their experience working with the therapy blanket among each other. I also believe that the use of therapy blankets in hospitals (especially for children) could be meaningful. 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. The use in work with stress and in burnout (prevention) also seems very meaningful 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 feeling.

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 have difficulty perceiving 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 the Therapy blanket without it 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 at home in our cozy corner and can help while reading a book, relaxing, and unwinding, and is meant to become a companion in everyday life. 
We will also test and try out more models in practice to have the right model ready for every situation. I will definitely introduce them to many people to let them feel their pleasant effect, in both private and professional contexts. Also a nice gift idea to bring joy to a family member or friends and help them relax. 
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