How long to be a recreational therapist

Admissions and Tuition Section Overview. Our programs have a wide range of admissions requirements, application processes, costs, benefits and financial aid options. Find your program to see the most relevant information. Campus and Community Section Overview. Recreational therapists, or therapeutic recreation specialists, use creative healing methods to help people with illnesses or disabilities become active again.

They use arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings to help patients maintain or improve their physical or mental health.

Recreational therapists work with doctors, nurses , psychologists, social workers , physical therapists , and occupational therapists to care for patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Therapists provide different services for patients depending on where they work. They may use structured group activities or work individually with patients to develop physical or social skills through exercise, mental stimulation, creativity, and fun.

Assessing their patients: Most recreational therapists begin therapy with a new patient by evaluating the patients' physical, mental or emotional health and determining their needs. Creating treatment plans: Recreational therapists make custom treatment plans for their patients to best serve each person's individual needs. Providing interventions: Depending on the patients' needs, some require interventions or modifications to traditional therapeutic practices for full engagement.

Recreational therapists help develop and implement these interventions. Engaging with their patients: During therapy sessions, most recreational therapists engage directly with their clients and help them perform the therapy. Helping set goals: Many recreational therapists help their patients set goals for their therapy and establish action steps to reach those objectives.

Establishing coping strategies: Some patients need help developing effective coping strategies, so recreational therapists help their patients identify and implement strategies.

Documenting patient progress: An important duty for recreational therapists is maintaining thorough records of their patients' progress. Collaborating with others: Some recreational therapists work with other healthcare professionals to ensure they're meeting their patients' healthcare needs. How to become a recreational therapist. Complete your high school education. Earn a bachelor's degree. Seek an internship.

Gain certification. Think about specialization. Develop your professional network. Consider graduate school. Salary and job outlook for recreational therapists. Location: Typically, recreational therapists who work in high cost-of-living areas like large urban centers earn more than those who live in more rural and less expensive regions.

Often these therapies can help veterans to most effectively reintegrate into civilian society. Overall, the facilities employing the greatest number of Recreational Therapists include hospitals, nursing care facilities, the government, social assistance programs and ambulatory healthcare services.

The state with the highest employment in this occupation is New York, followed by California, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Texas. Good news! There exists strong earning potential in a career as a Recreational Therapist. Furthermore, the top paying employers within this occupation are the government, hospitals, ambulatory healthcare services, social assistance programs and nursing care facilities.

The organization seeks to promote a world where all people have access to recreational therapy through research-based interventions to promote successful outcomes. All statistics are provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career? There is a state and a national exam, and some individuals choose to take the state exam and realize they want to move somewhere else in the country.

They would not be allowed to practice somewhere else in this case because they are not nationally certified. However, this is not the case. If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be? Recreational Therapist.

Radiation Therapist. Dental Hygienist. Pharmacy Technician. Physical Therapy Assistant. Veterinary Technician. Medical Assistant. Surgical Technologist. Occupational Therapy Assistant. Certified Nursing Assistant. Emergency Medical Technician. Dental Assistant. Respiratory Therapist. Cardiovascular Technologist.

Certification is not mandatory for recreational therapy jobs, but it is generally acknowledged that employers prefer candidates who have obtained certification from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. This credential is awarded to recreational therapists who have passed a written exam and completed a supervised internship of at least hours. Skip to content.