Recreational Therapy

Recreational therapists provide treatments and activities to individuals with illnesses or disabling conditions to improve or maintain physical, mental and emotional well-being and help reduce depression, stress and anxiety. Recreational therapies help patients recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities, build confidence and socialize more effectively. Treatments may incorporate arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music and community outings. Recreational therapists held about 29,000 jobs in 2000. Therapists may advance to supervisory or administrative positions. Life other recreation service providers Recreational Therapists work in a variety of settings.

In acute health-care settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, recreational therapists treat and rehabilitate individuals in collaboration with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers and physical and occupational therapists.

In long-term and residential care facilities, recreational therapists use structured group activities to improve and maintain general health and well being. They may also treat clients and provide interventions to prevent further medical problems and secondary complications related to illness and disabilities.

Community-based therapeutic recreation specialists may work in park and recreation departments, special education programs for school districts, or programs for older adults and persons with disabilities (e.g., those in assisted living, adult day care and substance abuse rehabilitation centers). Therapists help clients develop specific skills while providing opportunities for exercise, mental stimulation, creativity and fun.

• American Therapeutic Recreation Association (www.atra-online.com)

• National Therapeutic Recreation Society (http://www.nrpa.org)

• National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (www.nctrc.org)

If you would like to learn more about opportunities in Recreational Therapy please contact:

Dr. Dawn Shelar, Ph.D., CTRS at (615) 898-2723, vshelar@mtsu.edu