The Heart Behind The Healing: Kristen Douglas’s Approach to Activity-Based Therapy

STEP Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist Kristen Douglas during a training session working on a client, José Perales, at The Perfect Step.

Kristen Douglas joined The Perfect Step in 2019 and is a Level II Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of La Verne, with an emphasis in Health and Human Performance and a Minor in Psychology. She also earned her Master’s in Exercise Science from California Baptist University.

Growing up, Douglas always knew she wanted to help people. That passion came from watching her father, a retired fireman paramedic, and how he never hesitated to help others in everyday life.

“He is always just that person to pull over with somebody on the side of the road and change a flat tire, whatever it is,” Douglas said. “So I always loved how he was so passionate about doing what you love, and being passionate about it.”

Through that inspiration, she fell in love with the idea of physical therapy and helping athletes. As a former volleyball player, she understands what it’s like to live the athletic lifestyle and has carried that same energy into her work. Staying in the athletic community helped her build a sense of connection and community at The Perfect Step, where she now helps clients reach their goals through activity-based therapy.

The biggest thing that led Douglas to The Perfect Step was the ability to help people through a hands-on experience—and to physically see the progress her clients make over time.

“I love that I can directly see clients getting better,” she said. “I can be that person who comes up with the idea, who does the work with you, and sees us both benefit from it.”

She also highlights how the environment at The Perfect Step feels like home. The energy throughout the building is contagious, and the relationships she’s built with her clients and fellow Specialists have made her experience even more meaningful.

“The atmosphere is always upbeat and fun,” Douglas said. “I love how everyone involved with The Perfect Step is all working together to reach the same goal, with like-minded people who also have the same ‘why.”

For Douglas, working in this field means more than just training—it means building communication, trust, and confidence with each of her clients in every session.

“For me, I love building that confidence with my clients, and I love proving to them that they are capable of anything that they put their mind to,” she said. “Seeing the surprises on their faces and their reactions helps remind them what they are capable of.”

Kristen Douglas, Specialist, working with client, Emma Vargas, during a session.

She explained that many clients in the TPS program are fully invested in the process and that trust makes all the difference.

“These clients that are bought in have pushed me to become a better trainer because it makes me willing to try more, and I know that we can always figure it out together,” Douglas said. “The process doesn’t always have to be perfect the first time, but trusting one another will always allow us to work toward the solution.”

That trust leads to special bonds with her clients. While some connect with her emotionally through shared experiences or energy, others need her as a strong physical and mental support system.

One client that stood out to Douglas was a man diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis. She has been working with him since his first evaluation at The Perfect Step. From the start, they worked closely together to pinpoint goals and track his progress. Early in training, Douglas would monitor how his body reacted to touch through leg spasms. Over time, that trust and effort turned into real results.

Now, that client is driving and enrolled in school—huge milestones that have brought more confidence and independence to his life.

“Just seeing so much confidence with him… for me, it has become more about that physical aspect of how can we continually get the body stronger,” Douglas said.

Activity-based therapy, which focuses on the mind, body, and soul, is something Douglas uses every day with her clients—and even in her own development as a specialist. It’s more than a method—it’s a long-term process that she believes can help anyone achieve their personal goals.

To those in the middle of their recovery, Douglas offers a reminder to trust the journey fully. She emphasizes that while the process may include ups, downs, and plateaus, each small step forward is worth celebrating.

“We need to remember all the little steps it takes to get there,” Douglas said. “Let’s also be sure to stop and celebrate those victories and little milestones that we hit along the way.”

By: Zachary Grech - Student, University of La Verne, Class of 2025

Journalist Intern at The Perfect Step