The Role of Recreational Treatment in Mental Health Treatment

Recreational Therapy has become a popular element of treatment for many health fields, including mental health. The American Therapeutic Recreation Association defines it as “a treatment service meant to restore, remediate and rehabilitate someone’s a higher level functioning and independence in everyday life activities, in promoting overall wellness as well as decrease or remove the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in everyday life situations a result of an illness or disabling condition.” (American Therapeutic Recreation Association, July 2009) Recreational Therapy services are supplied in a variety of mental health treatment settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential care. Certified therapists have earned no less than a bachelor’s degree from the field and also have passed national certification exam.


Recreational Therapists make use of a selection of ways to help alleviate symptoms of mental illness and enhance the quality of a consumer’s life. Leisure education is frequently provided, which will help consumers identify what sorts of leisure they may be considering and locate community resources for participation. Many people that are experiencing the signs of a mental illness have forfeit touch using their leisure lifestyles and have become socially isolated. Leisure education will usually increase social skills to further improve enjoyment and invite people to build better relationships. Many Recreational Therapists also employ recreation participation as a treatment modality. Therapists will engage in leisure activities using the consumer to enhance leisure skills and employ social skills from the moment. In a group setting, therapists use leisure based activity to explore patterns of behavior and teach healthy coping skills.

In treating Antidepressants, Recreational Therapy is usually a versatile treatment addressing various issues. Leisure activity can offer improved daily structure when participating in activities for example volunteer work, classes, or social groups. Certain leisure activities offer opportunities for social interaction and support. Activities and employ can help enhance your mood. Exercise as well as other leisure activities also can give a a feeling of accomplishment. Lots of the concepts reinforced in Recreational Therapy align with technologically advanced treatments like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The relevant skills of mindfulness, regular participation in pleasant events, and building mastery are all core components both in DBT and Recreational Therapy. Finally, leisure involvement can offer feeling of purpose and meaning in one’s life, as well as strengthening individual identity or one’s a feeling of who they may be. A leisure Therapist can motivate and guide someone experiencing mental health difficulties to leisure that delivers the particular benefits suited to their demands. Recreational Therapy services are a part of most top quality mental health programs.
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About the Author: Annette Nardecchia

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