Recreational Therapist

Your Fit

Income

$65K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

3.6%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Recreational Therapist?

Recreational Therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. Using a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and field trips, they improve patients' physical, social, and emotional well-being.

Sample job titles:

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Recreation Therapist, Recreational Therapist, Rehabilitation Therapist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Recreational Therapist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Recreational Therapist earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Recreational Therapist.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$44K per year	$54K per year	$65K per year	$81K per year	$96K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $0 below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Recreational Therapist do?

Work environment

Recreational Therapists are typically found in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and residential care facilities. They may also work in community settings, including parks and recreation departments or senior centers, often collaborating with other healthcare providers.

Quick task list

Assesses patient needs through observations, medical records, tests, and discussions with other healthcare professionals.
Plans and implements therapeutic recreation programs.
Monitors and documents a patient's progress and modifies treatment plans as needed.
Coordinates with medical professionals, such as physical therapists and psychologists, to align therapeutic goals.
Organizes and leads group activities, or provides one-on-one therapy.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Recreational Therapy: Specializing in working with children who have developmental delays, disabilities, or illnesses.
Geriatric Recreational Therapy: Focusing on the elderly to maintain or improve physical and mental health.
Physical Rehabilitation: Helping individuals recover from physical injuries or surgeries.
Psychiatric Recreational Therapy: Working with individuals with mental health issues to improve their emotional and psychological well-being.
Community Recreation Therapy: Providing services in community settings, focusing on social inclusion and community participation.

Description

Recreational Therapists play a unique role in healthcare, using recreation and leisure activities as therapeutic tools to enhance clients' overall well-being. They work with a wide range of clients, including those with physical, mental, emotional, or developmental disabilities. Their approach is holistic, focusing on the client's social, emotional, and physical needs.

The role requires creativity, as therapists design and implement programs tailored to individual client needs, interests, and abilities. This can involve adapting sports, games, and other leisure activities to be inclusive and therapeutic. They must also be skilled in assessment and evaluation, able to measure the effectiveness of their programs and adjust them accordingly.

Recreational Therapists need strong interpersonal skills to build rapport with clients and encourage their participation in therapeutic activities. They often work as part of a multidisciplinary team, coordinating care with other healthcare professionals to provide a comprehensive treatment approach.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Positively impacting clients' lives by improving their physical, social, and emotional health.
The creative aspect of designing and implementing diverse recreational activities.
Building meaningful relationships with clients and seeing their progress over time.

You might make a good Recreational Therapist if you are...

Creative and enjoy thinking of new ways to engage people in activities.
Compassionate and patient, with a desire to help those with varying needs.
Energetic and enthusiastic about promoting participation in recreational activities.
A good communicator and team player, able to collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to plan and execute therapy programs.

Pros:

Rewarding work through direct impact on improving clients' quality of life.
Variety in daily activities and work settings.
Opportunities to be creative and innovative in therapy planning.

Cons:

Emotional and physical demands of working with clients with significant needs.
May require working evenings or weekends, depending on the work setting.
Need for continuous learning and adapting to new therapeutic techniques and approaches.

How to become a Recreational Therapist

Typical education

Recreational Therapists generally require a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy or a related field, which is typically a 4-year program. Additionally, certification or licensure may be required, depending on the state or employer.

High school preparation

Courses:

Psychology to understand different aspects of human behavior.
Physical Education to learn about physical health and wellness.
Art, Music, or Drama for exposure to various recreational activities.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering in community centers, hospitals, or nursing homes.
Participating in sports teams, drama clubs, or art groups.
Leadership roles in school clubs to develop organizational and planning skills.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy, therapeutic recreation, or a related field.
Seek internships or volunteer opportunities in therapeutic recreation settings.
Obtain certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) if required.

More resources

American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) - Professional organization offering resources and networking opportunities.
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) - Provides certification information and resources.
Therapeutic Recreation Directory - A resource for recreational therapy information, jobs, and continuing education.
Recreational Therapy Foundation - Offers research and scholarship information in the field of recreational therapy.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.