Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) uses recreational and leisure activities as a therapeutic intervention within healthcare and human services designed to improve or maintain social, physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual functioning of individuals. This specialised field can apply to both individuals or groups of various ages, abilities, and health conditions. Activities are selected to promote overall wellness and quality of life.
Service provision includes goal-oriented activities adapted and sometimes modified to specific goals related to the individual’s needs and abilities. Goals are developed to support or improve motor skills, enhancing social interactions, reducing stress, or increasing independence. Services are inclusive and accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities. This may include adaptations to equipment or environments to ensure participation and enjoyment for everyone.
All therapeutic interventions are evidence-based to plan and implement programs. This involves assessing individuals’ strengths and needs, developing personalised plans, and evaluating progress over time.
Services can be offered in a variety of settings, including in a persons home, in their community, in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, community centres, and schools. The setting often depends on the individual clients or specific population being served and their treatment goals.
Examples of therapeutic recreation activities include arts and crafts, music, gardening, socialising, animal-assisted therapy, and outdoor adventures. These activities are selected based on their therapeutic benefits and their ability to engage individuals in meaningful experiences that contribute to their overall well-being and rehabilitation goals.
For indivudal’s looking for therapeutic recreation services please click on ‘Individuals’ (private practice) and for Businsses looking at streamlining service provision in recreation, leisure and lifestyle please click on ‘Organisations’ (consultancy).
