Clarisse Quirit Rella, MSOT, CTRS

Clarisse has a colorful and creative background mixed with conducting wellness outreach and initiatives, forming collaborations, organizing special events, and offering insights as a sexual health and wellness contributor for Women’s Health Interactive and other platforms. She is also an independent contractor for Burke Rehabilitation Hospital as an adaptive Zumba Gold fitness instructor within their Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program. Prior to venturing off onto a non-traditional path, her experience includes working at The Mount Sinai Hospital in the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance to help people with disabilities who had a stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, limb loss, cancer and other comorbidities, learn how to use leisure and play as a form of healing. 

 

During her time at the hospital, she was the Internship and Volunteer Supervisor for the Therapeutic Recreation Department. Clarisse spearheaded many special programs ranging from art exhibits, fundraisers, a wheelchair dance program and kick-started an adaptive tap-dancing program with the creator and former Radio City Rockette, Mary Six Rupert, in an effort to create inclusive, enjoyable, and diverse experiences. 

 

People often refer to Clarisse as the ‘therapist of happiness’ because of her firm belief in living life passionately rather than focusing on finding your passion. She has been a guest speaker at The Brain Bar Salon and at various conferences sharing resources about adaptive equipment for leisure engagement, functional improvement, socialization, diversion, and community reintegration.