Philosophy

My personal philosophy of therapeutic recreation is summed up in our short definition from class.  Therapeutic recreation is a holistic process that purposefully uses recreation and leisure to bring about a positive change emotionally, socially, physically, intellectually and spiritually in an effort to maintain an improved quality of life.  I believe that therapeutic recreation is a way to change people’s lives. 

I believe it is a type of therapy or practice that helps them self discover ways to find happiness.  Therapeutic Recreation helps teach people basic life skills that they may not previously know.  It is a continual process.  It helps them improve their quality of life.  Therapeutic recreation provides experiences that each individual can apply to their own life and find ways it can specifically benefit them.  Every single person can benefit from therapeutic recreation.  All in all, therapeutic recreation is a way to help a person find happiness.

A model that demonstrates the process of Therapeutic Recreation is the following model. 

Treatment

The first section is treatment.  In this section a therapist improves the clients functional behavior.  The therapist will use a specific modality of leisure in order to improve or treat a specific function or behavior.  For example, using a ropes course activities to improve communication skills and build trust within a client.  The role of a rec therapist in this phase is a therapist.  The client has little perceived freedom because the therapist is organizing and planning the activities. 

Leisure Education

During this section or phase, the rec therapist takes the role of a counselor.  They teach the client new skills such as how to dance, fish, ride a bike, swim, etc.  They emphasize making better choices in the clients free time and show them the resources that help them make these choices.  In this phase the rec therapist lets the client start to figure things out on their own.  For example, the rec therapist may have taught them how to dance and now the client can find different dance clubs they can participate in.  

Recreation Participation

During this phase, you participate in recreation to have fun!  The rec therapist takes the role of a resource.  Recreation and leisure is a basic need for human life.  Everyone needs to participate in it.  This phase teaches that.  During this phase, the client has a lot of freedom.  They are making their own choices in order to create their own leisure experience.  

As each client processes through these phases, their quality of life will improve immensely.  As you can see, there is an overlap between phases, so things may switch from day to day.  You may go back and forth between the phases.  However, no matter how you move through the model, the quality of life will be improved.  

ATRA Philosophy

Recreational Therapy plays a critical role in the comprehensive rehabilitation of individuals with disabling conditions by contributing to the broad spectrum of healthcare through delivery of treatment services and through the provision of physical and recreational activities - each of which is instrumental in improving and maintaining physical and psycho-social functioning, preventing secondary health conditions, enhancing independent living skills and overall quality of life.

Recreational Therapy services utilize various methods to promote the independent physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of persons disabled as a result of trauma or disease, by enhancing current skills and facilitating the establishment of new skills for daily living and community functioning (ATRA, 1998).

Recreational therapy also includes components that enable individuals to become more informed and active partners in their healthcare. Prescribed activity assists individuals in coping with the stress of illness and disability and prepares them for managing their disabling so they may achieve and maintain optimal levels of independence, productivity, and well-being. Quality services include the provision of recreational opportunity and physical activity (e.g. wheelchair sports, exercise and swimming programs) which allow individuals with disabling mechanisms to prevent declines in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health status, and therefore reduce the need for medical services.

ATRA defines it as "Recreational Therapy” means a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition. 

URTA Philosophy

The URTA is dedicated to professional excellence by working collectively to improve and promote standards of practice, ethical conduct and efficacy in Therapeutic Recreation. By embracing this vision the services received by all consumers of Therapeutic Recreation will be enhanced.

The URTA is established for the development of the profession of Recreation Therapy, to promote standards of practice and strengthen members through: education, advocacy, research, networking, community partnership, involvement in local, state and national issues and the enhancement of personal growth and development.