01/03/2026
Recreational therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment. According to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), Recreational Therapists evaluate an individual’s strengths, interests, abilities, needs, and barriers related to participation in leisure and daily life.
Using this assessment, therapists create an individualized treatment plan. This plan outlines specific, measurable goals and therapeutic interventions designed to support physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. The plan is person-centered, meaning it is based on what matters most to the individual, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Outcomes are monitored throughout the therapeutic process. Recreational Therapists regularly evaluate progress to determine effectiveness, make adjustments, and ensure services are improving functional independence, inclusion, and overall quality of life.
This structured process ensures Recreational Therapy services are intentional, evidence-based, and accountable, while still being engaging and meaningful.
American Therapeutic Recreation Association. (n.d.). What is recreational therapy? Retrieved from the American Therapeutic Recreation Association website.
