What is therapeutic recreation?

It's using recreation services and leisure experiences to help people with limitations make the most of their lives--physically, mentally, and socially. It involves therapy/ intervention, recreation participation, leisure education.

Why is therapeutic recreation important?

Because it can help people of all ages and backgrounds to get well, live well, and stay well. Therapeutic recreation helps people to help themselves, so they can enjoy life more--every day.

Who can therapeutic recreation help?
People with physical disabilities, people with developmental disabilities, people with mental illness, and older adults with limitations.

Also, it can help people who are dependant on alcohol or other drugs, at-risk youth and juvenile and adult offenders.

How does the therapy process work?

Programs and services are designed with the individuals to meet their needs. Therapeutic recreation specialists work with a team of professionals to conduct an assessment, set goals, design a written plan, and evaluate progress.

But how does therapeutic recreation help?

Improve physical abilities, build confidence, promote greater self-reliance, enrich the quality of life, manage stress, strengthen interpersonal skills, and ease fear.

What are some other ways that therapeutic recreation can help?

Accept responsibility, learn by doing, set goals, express feelings, act assertively, learn new approaches, develop new interests, and use leisure well.

Who are the members of the client treatment team?

The therapeutic recreation specialist is part of a team of highly skilled professionals. physicians and nurses, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, vocational counselors, speech-language pathologists, social workers, prosthetics and orthotists.

Where does therapeutic recreation take place?

In many different settings. Services maybe be available in or through hospitals, rehabilitation centers, summer camps, nursing homes, centers for independent living, sheltered workshops, community mental health centers, public and private schools, adult day care centers, psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinics, youth and adult correctional facilities, group homes, senior centers, home health care agencies, substance abuse facilities, community recreation and park departments, halfway houses, and vocational training centers.