The Role of Recreational Therapy in Mental Health Treatment

Recreational Therapy has changed into a popular part of strategy for many health fields, including mental health. The American Therapeutic Recreation Association defines it as “a treatment service made to restore, remediate and rehabilitate someone’s amount of functioning and independence in everyday life activities, to promote health and fitness as well as decrease or take away 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 provided in a number of mental health treatment settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential care. Certified therapists have earned at the very least a bachelor’s degree from the field and possess passed national certification exam.


Recreational Therapists utilize a variety of techniques to help alleviate signs and symptoms of mental illness and increase the quality of a consumer’s life. Leisure education is frequently provided, which can help consumers identify what sorts of leisure they’re considering and discover community practical information on participation. Many individuals who are experiencing the signs of a mental illness choosing a lump sum touch making use of their leisure lifestyles or have become socially isolated. Leisure education will usually increase social skills to improve enjoyment and enable customers to build better relationships. Many Recreational Therapists also employ recreation participation being a treatment modality. Therapists will engage in leisure activities with the consumer to improve leisure skills and use social skills from the moment. In a group setting, therapists make use of leisure based activity to discover patterns of behavior and teach healthy coping skills.

In treating serious side effects, Recreational Therapy can be quite a versatile treatment addressing various issues. Leisure activity can offer improved daily structure when participating in activities like volunteer work, classes, or social groups. Certain leisure activities provide opportunities for social interaction and support. Regular activities and exercise might help improve your mood. Exercise as well as other leisure activities can also give a sense of accomplishment. Many of the concepts reinforced in Recreational Therapy align with technologically advanced treatments like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The abilities of mindfulness, regular participation in pleasant events, and building mastery are core components in DBT and Recreational Therapy. Finally, leisure involvement can offer a feeling of purpose and meaning in one’s life, as well as strengthening individual identity or one’s sense of who they really are. A leisure Therapist can motivate and guide someone experiencing mental health difficulties to leisure that delivers the precise benefits suited to their requirements. Recreational Therapy services are incorporated into most top quality mental health programs.
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