Recreational Therapy: The Definitive Guide
Recreational Therapy: The Definitive Guide
Here is a complete and up-to-date Definitive Guide on Recreational therapy.
Recreational therapy can aid in skill restoration, mood improvement, quality of life improvement, and social connection strengthening. Working with the best therapist who specializes in this field can make all the difference.
In this article you will learn about:
- Philosophy behind Recreational Therapy
- The model and the process of Recreational Therapy
- Benefits of Recreational Therapy
- Skills needed to become a Recreational Therapist
- Applying Recreational Therapy in Coaching
And so much more! So let’s dive right in!
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Chapter 2
Why Do You Need Recreational Therapy?
Chapter 3
Model of Recreational Therapy
Chapter 4
The Process of Recreational Therapy
Chapter 5
Benefits of Recreational Therapy
Chapter 6
Becoming a Recreational Therapist
Chapter 7
Recreational Therapy vs Occupational Therapy
Chapter 8
Applying Recreational Therapy in Coaching
Chapter 1:
The Fundamentals
In this chapter, I will walk you through what is meant by Recreational Therapy and the philosophy behind it.
Moreover, we will also briefly learn about the profession of Recreation Therapy and what are the approaches to it.
What is Recreational 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.
Recreational therapy, according to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), is a therapy process that uses activities and recreation to address someone's specific health needs.
The purpose of the RT process is to improve or maintain physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual functioning in order to facilitate full participation in life.
Services are provided or directly supervised by a “Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist” (CTRS).
What is the philosophy behind Recreational Therapy?
Recreational therapy includes, but is not limited to, providing treatment services and recreation activities to individuals using various techniques including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings.
Recreational therapists treat and help maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their clients by seeking to reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively.
Recreational therapists should not be confused with recreation workers, who organize recreational activities primarily for enjoyment.
How did Recreational Therapy develop?
It has often been said of psychology that it is a field with a long past but a relatively brief history. A similar statement could be made about therapeutic recreation.
While recreation has been used for therapeutic purposes since the time of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, the profession of therapeutic recreation began to develop only after World War II.
The beginnings of therapeutic recreation as a profession occurred in the aftermath of World War II during the 1940s and 1950s.
The service, then known as hospital recreation, had been provided during WWII by Red Cross recreation workers who offered programs for hospitalized soldiers within military hospitals.
Following the war, similar services soon developed within the Veterans' Administration (VA) Hospital system. The trend accelerated as recreation therapy programs were established in state psychiatric hospitals and state residential schools for persons with mental retardation.
What types of activities does a recreational therapy program offer?
Your recreational therapist usually tries to select activities that match your interests. Some activities that may be part of your recreational therapy program include:
Creative Arts
Offering similar benefits to art therapy, your recreational therapist will use art-based interventions to lead creative arts. You’ll create art to explore your feelings and settle any emotional conflicts.
Your art will help nurture self-awareness and manage behaviors. You'll also develop social skills, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem.
Music Programs
Your recreational therapist will use music to help you accomplish goals such as reducing stress. Similar to music therapy, these programs can also help improve your mood and elevate your self-expression.
Music therapy experiences may include listening to music to help motivate you to reach for your goals.
Physical Activity
Participating in sports and physical activity like rock climbing isn’t only good for your physical health. It’s good for your mental and emotional health, too. Physical activity triggers various chemicals in your brain.
These chemicals have a direct effect on your happiness, self-esteem, and stress. Physical activity may include a range of sports, including adapted sports for people with disabilities.
Games and Puzzles
Board games and jigsaw puzzles provide you with the chance to laugh and socialize. At the same time, you’re learning to engage with others and develop healthy attitudes.
Dance and Creative Movement
Through dance and movement, you’re challenged to move physically. But you’re in a supportive, structured environment. The intimate connection with music frequently makes dance feel less like exercise. You'll find it's more like a leisure activity.
Drama
Participating in drama activities provides an opportunity for you to express your creativity. You also develop new skills and may discover new interests.
Cooking
Participating in a cooking class can foster teamwork. It can also help you become more independent and learn new skills.
Outdoor Activities
Outdoor programming can help you gain independence, learn new skills, and develop self-esteem. Examples include high/low ropes courses, swimming, hiking, and horseback riding.
A big focus of recreational therapy is socialization. While reaching for your functional goals, you may attend many group sessions to help foster socialization with others. This also helps increase your independence in starting your own social conversations and/or activities with others.
