Recreation therapy uses various therapeutic processes for an individual to achieve the highest quality of life, and create a sense of independence. Recreation therapy uses leisure, recreation, and play to achieve a specific result, based on the individual.
A recreation therapist is able to assist patients in various settings, using the three different treatment areas listed above. Leisure, recreation, and play serve as quality interventions that help the patient achieve their therapy goal. The Recreation therapist meets with the client and devises a treatment plan based on the needs of the patient. This individualized treatment plan is designed specifically for the patient and can be tweaked as needed to work toward the goal.
The Domains of Recreation Therapy
When it comes to Recreation Therapy, there are five “domains”:
- Mental/Cognitive Functioning: Assess your rationalization, problem solving, and reasoning skills. Become aware of if you are stressed or overwhelmed, and how to handle these feelings.
- Physical Functioning: Assess your overall well being. Become aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and how to use your strengths while overcoming weaknesses.
- Psychological/Emotional Functioning: Assess how you manage emotions in challenging situations; verbally and internally. Become aware of how things make you feel, and your positive or negative reactions towards the situation or person.
- Social Function: Assess how you act in social situations. Assess if having conversations comes easy to you, and if you are truly open to what you are hearing from others. Become aware of how you act in the company of others.
- Spiritual Function: Assess your beliefs. Become aware of what you believe, and stand firm with your decisions.
By assessing individual needs in the above “domains,” the Recreation Therapist can assist with:
- Stress management
- Promoting independence
- Increased self-reliance
- Community inclusion
- The strategies needed to adapt and overcome hurdles that arise
- Setting achievable goals
- Increased activity and enjoyment
- Social engagement
- Developing healthy habits
- Providing a strength-based approach to succeeding in the five domains
The Therapist serves the main purpose of providing individualized care based on assessments and observations of the patient. Development and documentation of protocols will be used to identify needs. They are able to understand the patient’s mentality, preferences, skills, values, and areas of possible improvement by utilizing the five domains.
If you feel that you could lead a better life by improving yourself in any of the areas mentioned, reaching out to a qualified Recreation Therapist may be just what you need. They will design a plan to help you achieve your desired result, and give you the tools that you need to enhance your life for many years to come.
