The primary purposes of recreation services are to provide recreation resources and opportunities in order to improve health and well-being. Career Information Duties and Responsibilities of Recreational Therapists Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, often referred to as recreational therapists, work with individuals who have mental, physical or emotional disabilities. Select activity modalities are utilized to treat or maintain the physical, mental and emotional well-being of consumers served. These interventions help individuals remediate the effects of illness or disability and achieve an optimal level of personal independence. The goals of interventions include improving physical, cognitive and social functioning.
Recreational therapists work as members of an interdisciplinary team.
Relevant information about the patient is gathered from client assessment, medical record, medical staff, and family members. Individual treatment plans and programs are developed consistent with client need, abilities and interests. For instance, a recreational therapist may utilize a recreational activity, such as fishing, to aid a patient with right side paralysis, learn to use the left side and thus continue a lifetime activity. In a psychiatric setting the recreational therapist may prescribe an assertiveness program to help the depressed patient achieve greater self confidence and independence. A few states regulate this profession through either licensure, certification or regulation of titles.