Recreation Therapy
What is Recreation Therapy?
Recreational therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being.
Further, "Recreational Therapy" means a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person's level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition.
What is the relationship between recreational therapy and therapeutic recreation?
- Therapeutic Recreation is the field
- Recreational Therapy is the practice
- Recreational Therapists are the practitioners
- The CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) is the qualified provider
What do Recreational Therapists do?
A recreational therapist utilizes a wide range of activity and community based interventions and techniques to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and leisure needs of their clients. Recreational therapists assist clients to develop skills, knowledge, and behaviors for daily living and community involvement. The therapist works with the client and their family to incorporate specific interests and community resources into therapy to achieve optimal outcomes that transfer to their real life situation.
UNCW now has an admission process to the Recreation Therapy major.
Related Career Titles
(Some positions listed below require advanced education. Recreation Therapy is a good bachelor's degree for students wishing to attend graduate school in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech pathology, or child life.)
Recreational Therapist | Director of Therapies |
Senior Citizen Programmer | Clinical Specialist |
Activity Professional/Director | Youth Camp Recreation Therapist |
Community Rec Programmer | Recreation Program Asst |
Program Specialist | Rehabilitation Counselor |
Healthcare Consultant | |
Employment settings for the therapeutic recreation specialist: | |
Hospitals | Rehabilitation Centers |
Outpatient Centers | Home Healthcare |
Retirement Communities | Veterans Administration Hospitals |
Specialty Schools (blind, deaf, etc) | Healthcare Organizations |
Nursing homes | Correctional Facilities |
Psychiatric facilities | Senior Centers |
Adult Day Care | Universities/Colleges |
Assisted Living | Self-employed |
Related Major Skills
People oriented | Excellent communication skills |
Motor skills | Physical coordination |
Patience | Perseverance |
Persuasiveness | Motivational skills |
Ability to design & implement rehabilitative programs | Leadership |
Creativity | Ability to plan recreational activities |
Job & Internship Search Links
- Handshake -- UNCW's Online Job & Career Portal
- Job Search Resources
- Therapeutic Recreation Job Bulletin Board
- American Therapeutic Recreation Association job postings
- CareerBuilder
- GlassDoor
- Therapeutic Recreation Directory
- Recreation Therapy Jobs in LinkedIn
- Gerontological Society of America’s Career Center
Career Planning Links
- Candid Career Videos
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET OnLine
- NC Tower
- Recreation Therapist
- UNCW’s Gerontology & Recreation Therapy Combined Program
- Careers in Aging
- Recreation Therapy – U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- Child Life Specialist
- Careers in Animal Assisted Therapy
Professional Association Links
- North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association
- NCBRTL - North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure
- Comprehensive List of Recreation Therapy Professional Associations
- American Therapeutic Recreation Association
- The Gerontological Society of America
- National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification