Medical Personnel
What is a Recreational Therapist?
Last Updated:
Recreational Therapists often referred to as therapeutic recreation specialists, use leisure activities as a form of treatment to help individuals with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities develop independence. They plan, organize, direct, and monitor medically approved intervention programs that incorporate expressive activities such as sports, drama, dance, music, arts and crafts, volunteer work and outings.
The recreational therapist is usually a member of an interdisciplinary team at a medical facility. The team discusses information regarding the patient’s diagnosis and evaluates the need for certain precautions before meeting with him or her. Afterwards the recreational therapist works with the patient to develop a history of previous leisure, community interests and involvement. The team is then informed of the activities the patient hopes to resume upon discharge and of any interests that with adaptations might allow participation in a new activity.
During a typical day, a therapist may see patients for individual and/or group sessions. The level of physical assistance and level of cognitive functioning determines the appropriateness of passive to more physically active outlets. The activities should be appropriate to the age and ability of each participant. The therapist may meet with patients to discuss and attempt adaptations and modifications that would allow them to return to their previous interests. Support and guidance are provided to patients for investigating new leisure and community interests that may be appropriate due to changes in their functional capabilities.
Some recreational therapist interventions focus on relief of tension, adjustment, or improvement of self-image or work skills. Patients are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings related to their recovery process. Stress management and assertiveness training are used to assist patients with acquiring techniques to encourage healthy expression of their thoughts and ideas.
Recreational therapy also focuses on the safety and enjoyment of community based leisure time involvement. Patients are taken on therapeutic outings to educate clients on safety precautions and to evaluate the patient’s individual capabilities in real life situations. A patient may be asked to perform specific tasks that relate to therapy goals. Other patients may be participating to re-acclimate him or her to the community setting and to build tolerance to being in the community where the level of stimulation is significantly more than that of a therapy environment.
One may find recreational therapists working in a variety of settings including, but not limited to rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, school systems, retirement homes, job training centers, chemical dependency hospitals, veteran’s hospitals, correctional institutions, county social services departments, burn units, spinal cord injury hospitals or live-in centers for the developmentally disabled.
Recreational therapists should be nationally certified by NCTRC (National Counsel on Therapeutic Recreation Certification) to be assured the therapist is held to the standards of practice and code of ethics outlined by NCTRC.
Resources
Recreational Therapy: An Integral Aspect of Comprehensive Healthcare
Recreational Therapists
Summary of Health Outcomes in Recreation Therapy
Outcomes of Recreational Therapy Interventions in Pediatrics
Recreational Therapy: A Cost-Beneficial Option
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
National Recreation and Park Association
Laura Boortz has worked in Rehabailtion facilities as a recreational therapist for over 11 years. She has specialized in working with brain injured adults and children. She is currently working at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite in the Day Rehabilitation Program.