INTERESTED IN BECOMING A RECREATION THERAPIST?
Are you interested in becoming a qualified Recreation Therapist? Below are CTRA’s recommendations and information you need to know!
EDUCATION
Recreation Therapists need a Bachelor’s Degree, usually in a recreation therapy or related field such as recreation and leisure studies with an emphasis or concentration in recreational therapy/therapeutic recreation. The Bachelor’s Degree programs usually includes the following programs along with an internship: assessment, foundations, interventions, human anatomy, psychology, and courses on specific demographics. You can find Universities with a program here.
CREDENTIALS NEEDED FOR A RECREATION THERAPIST?
CTRA endorses the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Credential offered through NCTRC. Recreational therapist have the option to become nationally certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). In order to become certified professionals must meet the requirements set by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). NCTRC requires a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university, a formal internship and the passing of a national certification examination. A CTRS must maintain their credential every five years through the NCTRC recertification process. Academic programs in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy emphasize course work in the physical, biological, and behavioral sciences and recreation and leisure theory.
WHAT DO RECREATION THERAPISTS DO?
Recreation Therapists are allied health professionals who work in a variety of health care settings. Recreation Therapists use recreation, leisure, and play as treatment modalities to support purposeful and meaningful interventions that are based on individual strengths and values, and are guided by assessments. These health care professionals utilize the APIED (Assess, Plan, Implement, Evaluate, and Document) process to direct service delivery.
WHERE DO RECREATION THERAPISTS WORK?
- Acute care
- Rehabilitation centres
- Supportive Living
- Long term care homes
- Day programs
- Mental Health
- Addiction Services
- Child Services
- Adolescent Services
- Correctional Facilities
- Schools
- Community
- Private Practice
Adapted from: https://www.atra-online.com/page/BecomeAnRT