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.

Candidates may qualify for certification through one of three pathways. The first option requires a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy, completion of a supervised internship of at least 560 hours, and passing an exam. The other options also require passing an exam, but allow candidates with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated subject to qualify with various combinations of education and work experience. In order to maintain certification, therapists must either pass an exam or complete work experience and continuing education requirements every 5 years.
 
Visit www.nctrc.org for more details.
 
The NCTRC also offers specialty certification in five areas of practice: behavioral health, community inclusion services, developmental disabilities, geriatrics, and physical medicine/rehabilitation. Therapists also may earn certificates from other organizations to show proficiency in specific therapy techniques, such as aquatic therapy or aromatherapy.

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

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