Faculty and Staff Profile

Em Adams

Educational Background

2020 Clemson University Ph.D. Recreational Therapy

2014 Brigham Young University M.S. Youth and Family Recreation

2005 Brigham Young University B.S. Biology

Profile

Dr. Em V. Adams completed her PhD from Clemson University in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a cognate area of Recreational Therapy and a certificate in Clinical and Translational Science. Dr. Adams is a dually certified Recreational Therapist and Yoga Therapist. Prior to joining the PRTM department at Clemson University, she served as an Assistant Professor in the Health Science to Departement at Lehman College in Bronx, New York. Prior to working in academia, she worked as a Recreational Therapist in various behavioral health care settings including long-term and acute psychiatric settings, residential treatment centers, and community centers. Her research focuses on the treatment and prevention of violence, trauma, and toxic stress including trauma and stress from racial and economic inequities, inter-generational trauma, burnout, and moral injury. Additionally, Dr. Adams is highly involved in simulation-based education and interprofessional education. Dr. Adams was the recipient of several awards including the Clemson University Outstanding graduate student award, the 2020 Young Investigator Award from the International Association of Yoga Therapy, and was recently selected as one of the Academy on Violence and Abuse 2020-2021 scholars. She currently serves as chair of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Violence and Trauma Special Interest Group.

Research Interests

1) Fostering resilience after violence and trauma; 2) Trauma-informed care and trauma-sensitive care; 3) integrative somatics; 4) healthcare worker well-being; 5) simulation and education; 6) Health care disparities; 7) health-related policy; 8) effective delivery of Recreational Therapy, 9) Intimate partner violence

Research Publications

Adams, E.V., Page, J. (2021). Recreational therapy, complex trauma, and social identity. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 19(3), 44-52 doi: 10.5055/ajrt.2020.0219

Adams, E.V., Van Puymbroeck, M., Crowe, B.M., Pury, C.L., Allison, C.K., & Schmid, A.A. (2021). Feasibility of implementing therapeutic yoga in assisted living facilities. OBM Geriatrics, 5(1), 23; doi:10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101148

Adams, E.V., Van Puymbroeck, M., Hawkins, B.L., & Schmid, A.A. (2020). Reduced psychosocial difficulties for individuals with Parkinson’s disease following therapeutic yoga. OBM Geriatrics, 4(4):14; doi:10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004144

Adams, E.V., Van Puymbroeck, M., Crowe, B.M., Pury, C.L.S., & Schmid, A.A. (2020). Yoga to reduce leisure constraints for residents of assisted living facilities. OBM Geriatrics 4(4):18; doi:10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004135

Reina, A., Adams, E.V., Muller, K., Alison, C., Crowe, B.M., Van Puymbroeck, M., & Schmid, A.A. (2020). Yoga for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. International Journal of Yoga.

Adams, E.V., Van Puymbroeck, M., Torphy, H.S., Helsel, B.C., Kemper, K.A., Dye, C., & Schmid, A.A. (2020). A novel approach to fall risk reduction: Combining education and therapeutic yoga. OBM Geriatrics, 4(1), 15; doi:10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001097

Adams, E.V., Van Puymbroeck, M., Walter, A.A., Hawkins, B., Schmid, A., & Sharp, J.L. (2020). Predictors of functional improvements after therapeutic yoga intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 30; doi:10.17761/2020-D-18-00005

Crowe, B.M., Allison, C.K., Van Puymbroeck, M., Adams, E.V., & Schmid, A.A. (2019). Exploring the physical and psychosocial benefits of yoga for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 18(4), 38-48.

Adams, E.V., Crowe, B.M., Van Puymbroeck, M., Kelly, C.T., & Schmid, A.A. (2019). Yoga as a community-based recreational therapy intervention for older adults. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 52(4) 367-379.

Walter, A.A., Adams, E.V., Van Puymbroeck, M., Crowe, B.M., Urrea-Mendoza, E., Hawkins, B.L., Sharp, J., Woschkolup, K., Revilla, F.J., & Schmid, A.A. (2019). Changes in non-motor symptoms following an 8-week yoga intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease. International Journal of Yoga Therapy.

Adams, E.V., & Townsend, J. (2018). A systematic review of yoga and schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Implications for recreational therapy practitioners. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 17(2), 37-47.

Van Puymbroeck, M., Walter, A., Hawkins, B.L., Sharp, J., Woshkolup, K., Urrea-Mendoza, E., Revilla, F., Adams, E.V., & Schmid, A.A. (2018). Functional improvements in Parkinson’s disease following a randomized trial of yoga. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Adams, E. V., Taniguchi, S.T., Ward, P.J., Hite, S.J., Mugimu, C., & Nsubuga, Y. (2018). Leisure defined by perceiving choice: Perspectives of Ugandan women, World Leisure Journal 60(4), 265-280; doi:10.1080/16078055.2018.1517106

Honors and Awards

2021 Academy on Violence and Abuse Scholar
2020 International Association of Yoga Therapy, Swami Kuvalyanda Young Investigator Award
2020 Clemson University, Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award
2020 College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Science Outstanding Ph.D. Student Research Award
2019 American Therapeutic Recreation Association First Place Best Research Poster
2019 Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management Outstanding Graduate Student
2019 GRADS Third Place Best Research Poster
2019 Meritorious Abstract, Society of Behavioral Medicine 2019 Annual Meeting
2018 American Therapeutic Recreation Association Best Research Poster-Student Category