We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Recreational Therapy?

By Lindsay Kahl
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,467
Share

Recreational therapy, or therapeutic recreation, is when trained providers use recreational activities to help improve or maintain an individual's cognitive, emotional, social, or physical functioning. People who receive this therapy – sometimes referred to as patients – are often ill, disabled, or elderly. The therapist provides adapted recreational opportunities in order to help the patients develop independent living skills and improve quality of life. Recreational therapy can help reduce stress levels and depression, and contribute to greater physical and emotional well-being of the patient. For some, it may even be used to help maintain or recover basic reasoning or motor skills.

A recreational therapist will typically complete an evaluation of each patient to determine areas of focus. The therapist may use direct observation of the patient, assessments, medical records, and conversations with the patient and family members or medical staff. After completing the evaluation, the therapist is able to create an individualized treatment plan, taking into account the patient's interests and addressing the areas where improvement is needed.

Recreational therapy may take many different forms. Therapeutic activities could include sports, crafts, dance, time spent with animals, stress reduction techniques, music, games, and community outings. These activities can provide mental and physical stimulation for patients, and some activities may help the patients develop specific skills. Sometimes, recreational therapy is used to help the patient build confidence, enhance social skills, and even to integrate more into his or her community.

Patients receive recreational therapy in various places and environments. For instance, a therapist might be employed by an assisted living facility, and the patients could engage in therapy within the facility. Schools may also employ recreational therapists, often to provide services to the special education department. Sometimes, this therapy is a part of comprehensive therapeutic services offered at mental health facilities or substance abuse treatment centers.

Typically, most entry-level positions for a recreational therapist require a bachelor's degree with a major or concentration in the field. In the United States, there is a council that offers certification for recreational therapists, though certification is not mandatory. A few states do regulate recreational therapy, and may require licensure to practice.

Recreational therapy can be a valuable part of treatment for people who are ill, elderly, or disabled. This unique form of therapy may work in conjunction with other treatments to increase positive outcomes. For many patients, recreational therapy can help improve functional abilities, develop independent skills, enhance overall health, and increase basic quality of life.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-recreational-therapy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.