Recreational Therapy

What Is Recreational Therapy?  

Recreational Therapy (RT) is a structured therapeutic service that uses play, movement, leisure, and meaningful activities to support emotional, cognitive, and physical well‑being. RT helps individuals build skills, confidence, and independence through goal‑directed interventions facilitated by trained professionals.

RT sessions promote:

• Emotional regulation and coping skills

• Social interaction and communication

• Physical activity and motor development

• Self‑expression and confidence

• Community participation and independence

Recreational Therapy is ideal for individuals who benefit from:

• Support with emotional or behavioral regulation

• Structured activities that build daily living skills

• Opportunities to practice social engagement

• Sensory‑friendly, adaptive, or modified activities

• A safe, supportive environment for learning new skills

RT services are delivered by trained professionals who follow best‑practice standards, maintain safety protocols, and tailor activities to each individual’s needs and abilities.

"Recreational therapy is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery, and well-being." -American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)

The interventions used are appropriate to the needs and interests of individuals and are directed toward restoring and maintaining optimal levels of physical and psychosocial functioning.