Skip navigation, skip to content | Hearing/speech challenges? | Print this pagePrint this page    font size +1font size +2font size +3font size +4

Arizona State Hospital
2500 E. Van Buren
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(602) 244-1331 or
(602) 220-6355 Fax

Request a Visit with a Friend or Family Member

Arizona State Hospital

Rehabilitation Therapy

The mission of Rehabilitation Therapy Services is to provide quality programs designed to evaluate needs and educate patients in the life areas of living, learning, work and social/ leisure.

Professional services available to all Arizona State Hospital patients include the disciplines of Therapeutic Recreation, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, and include vocational specialists and a professional librarian.

Rehabilitation specialists are integral members of each patient's Treatment Team, providing treatment and educational services both on and off the units, in addition to the community. Programs are available during days, evenings and weekends, as well as on holidays.

Rehab. role in the...

Forensic Restoration to Competency (RTC) Unit
There are 3 RTC units at the Arizona State Hospital. All patients housed in these units have been charged with a crime, and have been found incompetent to stand trial for their charges. Working together with other disciplines, Rehabilitation staff educate patients on the material needed for them to return to court and aid in their defense.

Due to the fact that these patients are not permitted off their units, groups are offered daily on the units.

Forensic Post-trial Units
There are 4 post-trial units for individuals with either a NGRI (not guilty by reason of insanity) or GEI (guilty except insane) verdict. Using an interdisciplinary approach, post-trial rehabilitation focuses on issues related to discharge and community living. These programs include, but are not limited to, substance abuse awareness and recovery, problem-solving, life management skills, and community living skills. Programs on the post-trial units are held on and off the units, and include community outings. 

Off-unit and community activities are permitted only if a patient has earned the privilege to leave the unit.

Civil Units
The civil program has 7 units specializing in various treatment issues, including medical, behavioral health, and general adult psychiatry. Rehabilitation services are an integral component to treatment. A Rehabilitation specialist assesses the patient to determine leisure needs, adaptive equipment requirements, independent living skills and individual strengths. The assigned Rehabilitation specialist participates in staffings, treatment development, and facilitates rehabilitation therapy.

Programs offered are based on the individual needs of each patient. Services include educational groups, life skills, community reintegration, music therapy, art therapy, and various recreational and leisure programs.

Current program offerings

AA/NA Creative Expression
Adaptive P.E. Fitness/ Recreation
ADL's (Activities of Daily Living) Horticulture
Addictions Leisure Education
Anger & Stress Management Life Skills
Art Therapy Music Therapy & Music Group
Arts & Crafts 1:1 Interventions
Assertiveness Training Restoration to Competency
Ceramics Self-esteem Groups
Community Reintegration Socialization Groups
Conflict Resolution Symptom Management
Cooking Groups Therapeutic Work Program
Coping Skills Wellness

Further information is available for the Rehabilitation Department's Patient/Staff Library.