Recreation Therapist
What is a recreational therapist?
Recreation therapy is a planned, organized, and therapeutic recreation program designed to help you develop social skills and learn to participate in leisure group activities. The focus of recreational rehabilitation programs is to help you:
Get involved in leisure activities
Develop or restore social functions
Prevent loss of physical capacities
Programs are designed to meet your capabilities, needs, and interests.
The recreational therapist may guide or instruct you in the following areas:
Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, to help reduce stress and tension
Stretching and limbering exercises
Individual and group sport activities
Leisure activities, such as arts and crafts, games, or dramatics
Special outings, such as ball games, sightseeing, or picnics
Recreation therapists may practice in a variety of settings, including the following:
Hospitals
Inpatient rehabilitation centers
Long-term care facilities
Residential facilities
Schools
Recreation therapists are graduates of an undergraduate program in therapeutic recreation, and many are certified in their specialty.