CHRISTOPHER POYTHRESS JR
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Compassionate and highly skilled Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with extensive experience delivering evidence-based recreation therapy to veterans, military families, and behavioral health populations. Adept in assessment, treatment planning, adaptive sports, trauma-informed care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Brings strong leadership as an intern supervisor and software superuser, improving clinical workflows, documentation accuracy, and staff performance. Combines therapeutic expertise with military experience to build rapport, promote resilience, and support holistic recovery aligned with holistic principles.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Army Soldier
U.S Military
09.2019 - Current
- Enforced military laws, safety regulations, and operational protocols while supporting military police functions and base security operations.
- Conducted safety assessments and crowd-management procedures during base functions and community events.
- Completed detailed incident reports with precision and accuracy, supporting legal and administrative requirements.
- Demonstrated strong leadership, discipline, resilience, and situational awareness in dynamic and high-stress environments.
- Enhanced communication, cultural competence, and problem-solving skills applicable to therapeutic rapport with veterans.
Recreational Therapist
Peachford Hospital
08.2024 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive assessments addressing physical, emotional, cognitive, and social function to inform individualized treatment plans for patients with behavioral health diagnoses.
- Facilitate structured therapeutic groups including emotional regulation, social skills, stress management, physical activity, and leisure education.
- Modify treatment interventions based on clinical observations, patient progress, and interdisciplinary team input.
- Document treatment plans, progress notes, safety observations, and behavioral interventions in EMR using SOAP and person-centered language.
- Coordinate adaptive recreation activities and therapeutic exercise sessions to promote resilience, physical wellness, and improved self-efficacy.
- Collaborate with nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers in treatment planning meetings and daily clinical rounds.
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Project Sanctuary: A Sanctuary for Military Families
10.2025 - Current
- Serve as CTRS for therapeutic retreats designed for active-duty service members, veterans, spouses, and children, focusing on family healing, resilience, and reintegration.
- Design and facilitate trauma-informed therapeutic recreation sessions supporting communication skills, bonding, stress reduction, and trust-building.
- Administer assessments to evaluate family dynamics, strengths, functional impairments, and therapeutic needs.
- Implement adaptive sports, outdoor recreation, team challenges, and leisure education tailored to physical or psychological limitations.
- Support veterans and family members experiencing PTSD, anxiety, service-related injuries, and reintegration stressors.
- Provide one-on-one therapeutic support to participants needing individualized interventions or safety monitoring.
- Collaborate with clinical counselors, case managers, and program coordinators to ensure continuity of care for families beyond the retreat experience.
Recreational Therapist Assistant
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
07.2021 - 12.2023
- Designed and delivered recreation and wellness programs supporting social, emotional, and physical well-being for diverse participants.
- Conducted annual assessments, maintaining detailed documentation for progress reviews and care plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary committees and departments to coordinate events, safety protocols, and therapeutic programming.
- Assisted with program evaluation, data collection, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Managed recreation equipment, facilities, and program supplies with an emphasis on safety and accessibility.
- Promoted awareness and advocacy for therapeutic recreation across campus and community networks.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Recreation & Sport Management
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville12-2023
Skills
- Clinical Assessment & Individualized Treatment Planning
- Adaptive Sports & Community Reintegration
- Behavioral Health (PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma)
- Group Therapy & Skill-Building Interventions
- Veteran & Military Family Support
- Interdisciplinary Treatment Team Collaboration
- Evidence-Based Recreation Therapy Modalities
- EMR/SOAP Documentation
- Program Development & Evaluation
- Risk Management & Safety Protocols
- Safety protocol management
Certification
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) — National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
- CPR / First Aid / AED Certified
- NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention)
Timeline
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Project Sanctuary: A Sanctuary for Military Families
10.2025 - Current
Recreational Therapist
Peachford Hospital
08.2024 - Current
Recreational Therapist Assistant
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
07.2021 - 12.2023
Army Soldier
U.S Military
09.2019 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Recreation & Sport Management
The University of Tennessee
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Serve as an Intern Supervisor, providing training, mentorship, and clinical oversight to Therapeutic Recreation students. Responsibilities include onboarding, supervising clinical documentation, teaching evidence-based intervention techniques, modeling trauma-informed care, and evaluating intern performance to ensure competency in patient-centered recreation therapy practices.
- Software System Superuser for newly implemented clinical and administrative platforms. Provide staff training, troubleshoot system issues, assist with workflow optimization, and serve as a point of contact between end users and IT/development teams to ensure accurate and efficient system utilization.
- Experience working with veterans, military families, and individuals with PTSD, TBI, depression, mood disorders, and physical limitations.
- Strong alignment with VA Whole Health principles and patient-centered therapeutic approaches.
- Familiarity with adaptive sports equipment, military recreation programming, and reintegration support services.