RECREATION / CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapists perform professional work requiring application of either (1) knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of recreation therapy and the use of various interventions to treat physical, social, cognitive, emotional conditions associated with illness, or chronic disability. (2) a knowledge of the concepts, principle and practices of a specialized creative arts therapy (i.e. art, dance, music, and psychodrama) and the use of appropriate specialized treatment modalities to improve and maintain physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning, preventing secondary health conditions, enhancing independent living skills, and overall quality of life.

These therapists evaluate history, interests, aptitudes, and skills of patients by interviews, inventories, tests, and measurements, and use such findings, along with medical records, and therapy orders of physicians, to develop and implement recreation therapy or creative arts therapy activities for individual patients. These several therapy approaches are directed toward achieving such therapeutic objectives as achieving and maintaining optimal levels of independence, productivity, and well being, and enter/re-enter the mainstream of community life.

The broad range of therapeutic recreation services is recognized by the following five specialized titles:

Recreation Therapist
 
Creative Arts Therapist (Art)
 
Creative Arts Therapist (Dance)
 
Creative Arts Therapist (Music)
 
Creative Arts Therapist (Drama)
 
Using various modalities appropriate to the particular therapy approach involved, therapists in these specializations seek to achieve and maintain optimal levels of independence, productivity, and well being through therapeutic art, dance, music, drama, or recreation activities and services.

Links to other sites:

American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)

National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS)

American Art Therapy Association

American Dance Therapy Assoiciation

American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)

National Association of Drama Therapy