What is therapeutic recreation and what are its benefits?
Most of us take for granted the ability to participate in a variety of fun and healthy recreation activities that keep us physically fit and mentally sharp. Sadly, individuals who endure the daily challenges of living with a debilitating illness, injury, or physical condition sometimes avoid many recreation activities simply for no other reason than they feel that they are incapable of performing them. Often, it is these recreation activities that can help the very same individuals regain the strength and function they may have lost. If you are someone who wants to work with individuals suffering from an affliction that has left them compromised and who wants to show these people how recreation can improve the quality of their lives and well-being, then a career in therapeutic recreation might be right for you. Therapeutic recreation can play a vital role in the recovery or rehabilitation process and help these individuals achieve greater independence.
The School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management (SRTM) at George Mason University offers a Bachelor of Science in recreation management with three concentrations to choose from, one of which is therapeutic recreation. A Mason student majoring in recreation management who concentrates their coursework in therapeutic recreation, sits for an exam to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) following graduation. A CTRS is a health care professional who uses recreation programming in many settings to restore physical functioning, engage emotional well-being, or promote socialization towards independence for individuals. Whether it is in a clinical setting, residential living environment, or home-based, CTRSs are working to help individuals holistically engage in activities that bring them joy, and often contribute to skill development.
The need for therapeutic recreation professionals is great and will only increase in the future. As the U.S. population ages, more people will need recreation therapists to help treat age-related injuries and illnesses. In addition, as the numbers of people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity increase, recreation therapists will be needed to help patients maintain their mobility and manage their conditions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, the employment of recreation therapists is projected to grow at a stable rate of 4% from 2021 to 2031.
Upon graduation, students majoring in recreation management with a concentration in therapeutic recreation will find any number of career opportunities available to them in physical rehab facilities, mental health centers, nursing and assisted living centers, park and recreation centers, and school systems, to name a few. Some of the jobs for which they will be qualified include:
- Therapeutic recreation specialist
- Senior center activities director
- Community therapeutic recreation coordinator
- School inclusion coordinator
- Corrections recreation director
- Special Olympics administrator
- Residential recreation counselor
- Therapeutic horseback riding specialist
- Adaptive recreation director
Visit Mason’s Recreation Management program website to see how our degree offerings can put you on a path where your passion can be your profession.
This feature is authored by Brenda Wiggins, associate professor, and academic program co-coordinator of Mason’s Recreation Management program. To learn more, please visit the program website.