The Role of Recreational Therapy in Mental Health Treatment

Recreational Therapy has become a popular component of treatment for many health fields, including mental health. The American Therapeutic Recreation Association defines it “a treatment service made to restore, remediate and rehabilitate an individual’s degree of functioning and independence in everyday life activities, to advertise overall wellness as well as reduce or remove the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in everyday life situations brought on by a sickness or disabling condition.” (American Therapeutic Recreation Association, July 2009) Recreational Therapy services are given in many different mental health treatment settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential care. Certified therapists have earned at least a bachelor’s degree from the field and still have passed national certification exam.


Recreational Therapists make use of a number of processes to help alleviate the signs of mental illness and improve the quality of an consumer’s life. Leisure education is usually provided, which will help consumers identify what types of leisure they are enthusiastic about in order to find community helpful participation. Many individuals who are experiencing signs of a mental illness have mislaid touch with their leisure lifestyles and have become socially isolated. Leisure education will usually increase social skills to improve enjoyment and give consumers to build better relationships. Many Recreational Therapists likewise use recreation participation as a treatment modality. Therapists will participate in leisure activities with all the consumer to boost leisure skills and exercise social skills from the moment. In a group setting, therapists will use leisure based activity to understand more about patterns of behavior and teach healthy coping skills.

In treating Antipsychotics, Recreational Therapy is usually a versatile treatment addressing various issues. Leisure activity provides improved daily structure when participating in activities for example volunteer work, classes, or social groups. Certain leisure activities provide opportunities for social interaction and support. Regular activities and exercise might help increase your mood. Exercise and other leisure activities can also supply a a feeling of accomplishment. Lots of the concepts reinforced in Recreational Therapy align with technologically advanced treatments like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The skills of mindfulness, regular participation in pleasant events, and building mastery are common core components both in DBT and Recreational Therapy. Finally, leisure involvement provides a feeling of purpose and meaning in one’s life, as well as strengthening individual identity or one’s a feeling of who they are. A leisure Therapist can motivate and guide someone experiencing mental health difficulties to leisure that provides the actual benefits suitable for the requirements. Recreational Therapy services are included in most excellent mental health programs.
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About the Author: Annette Nardecchia

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