The recreation therapist conducts an intensive needs assessment to determine the capacities of the population being served and the appropriate personalized interventions based on current best practices. To ensure appropriate service to individuals, the therapist must begin the process by developing a meaningful relationship with the individual receiving services and working together with them to determine how to go forward.
An assessment must look at the individual within the context of their family, environment, culture, friends, disability/illness. Then realistic goals must be set that can be achieved through engagement in recreation interventions and programs. The recreation therapist relies on various facilitation techniques to engage the individual in a variety of opportunities designed to foster a meaningful leisure lifestyle. Wherever possible, the individual receiving services should be involved in evaluating the goals, process and outcomes.
Throughout the process, the recreation therapist is responsible for advocacy and developing relationships with key stakeholders to ensure individuals are equally valued members of the community. They're also responsible for community development through recreation and leisure.
As a professional in a health care field, the recreation therapist is responsible for following TRO's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
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