About Me
Katy Mayer, TRS, CTRS, is a Recreational Therapist at the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, where she has spent the past year working in an inpatient setting with a wide range of complex medical diagnoses and complications. As a member of the Center for Quality of Life After Stroke, she contributes to research-driven care interventions that support patients in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Working in collaboration with an Artist-in-Residence, Katy facilitates the therapeutic use of art in a group setting, encouraging patients to engage in art and social activities while in the hospital.
In her role, she provides comprehensive leisure and recreation services to patients and their families or caregivers, addressing the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of each individual through activity-based treatment. Her approach prioritizes patient interests to enhance engagement, mood, and overall participation throughout the rehabilitation process.
Her clinical work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and patient-centered programming, with a focus on innovative treatment strategies for individuals with disorders of consciousness. She has presented at both the Utah Brain Injury Alliance Generations Conference and the Utah Recreation Therapy Association Conference, sharing her expertise on therapeutic recreation practices in neurorehabilitation.
Katy also serves as a member of the University of Utah Recreational Therapy Advisory Board, where she contributes her insights to the advancement of academic and professional standards in the field.
Outside of her professional work, she enjoys biking, hiking, lake activities, and exploring her creativity through arts and crafts.
