For example, clients in an addictions program may not know what to do in their leisure once drug use and drug environments are eliminated. Clients in a psychiatric facility may have trouble initiating contact with potential leisure partners, or may experience guilt when they take time for themselves. Clients in a spinal cord rehabilitation program may not have knowledge of available accessible leisure opportunities within the community, or may need to acquire the skills necessary to play wheelchair sports. Leisure education is a mechanism for promoting positive adjustment and optimal functioning in leisure. Clients within a clinical setting may also benefit from leisure involvement that has no purpose other than simple enjoyment.
Leisure remains an important aspect of life even when one is in the hospital or a nursing home.
The therapeutic recreation ser-vices that are offered within any clinical agency are based on the identified leisure related needs of the clients it serves. While some community settings provide goal directed therapy or leisure education services as well, they are much more prevalent in clinical settings. The student, together with his or her advisor, construct the academic program that best reflects the student's interests and professional needs. There are five sets of academic requirements that must be met by the students who wish to specialize in therapeutic recreation. First, the students must meet the University of Nevada, Las Vegas general education core requirements.