What is Recreational Therapy?
Recreational Therapy is a client-centred practice that recognises the right of all individuals to access and engage in leisure and recreational experiences of their choosing.
Recreational Therapy practitioners work with people of all ages and abilities to design and facilitate leisure and recreation programmes. Activities are designed to support, challenge and enhance individuals' psychological, spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
The Recreational Therapist provides opportunities for individuals to participate in leisure and recreational activities that promote self-esteem and personal fulfilment. The Recreational Therapist facilitates individual client choice, self-determination and participation in social and cultural life.
Objects and Purposes of Australian Recreational Therapy Association
The following objects and purposes are adapted from the Constitution of the Australian Recreational Therapy Association (2022):
- To promote, foster and advance the occupation and interests of Recreational Therapy in Australia;
- To promote and support the development of Recreational Therapy in Australia and internationally;
- To represent the interests of Recreational Therapy to the health and social care professions in Australia;
- To promote and establish educational programmes and courses of study in Recreational Therapy;
- To promote the study of the theory and practice of Recreational Therapy; to encourage research in Recreational Therapy; to bring together Recreational Therapists for their common benefit and for discussions and demonstrations; and to disseminate knowledge of the principles and practice of Recreational Therapy;
- To act as trustee and to perform and discharge the duties and functions incidental to acting as a trustee where this is incidental or conducive to the attainment of these Objects; and
- To do such things as are incidental or ancillary to the attainment of these Objects.
Key Aims of the Australian Recreational Therapy Association
- Promote, foster, advance and advocate for the practice of Recreational Therapy and ARTA members.
- Increase the professional body of knowledge and its dissemination.
- Ensure national education standards and competencies are maintained
- Develop and foster cooperative national and international networks.
- Recognise excellence in continuing professional development
- Provide information regarding the implementation and outcomes of ARTA plans and projects
What Recreational Therapists Do
Work with clients of all ages in a range of health, community and leisure settings.
Employment areas and the scope of practice are continually expanding.
Employment opportunities exist in many environments including:
Rehabilitation & hospital units
Community Centres
Day and Respite services
Aged Care Residential Facilities
Ethnic Specific Services
Palliative Care Units and Outreach Programmes
Mental Health Services
Specialist Organisations
Private Practice
Consultancy
Management
Roles in the Recreational Therapy field are found within:
Disability services
Aged care facilities
Youth work
Local councils
Respite centres
Outdoor recreation and camps
Mental health
Hospital based
Holiday programmes
Health promotion
Correctional centres
ARTA Mission Statement
Australian Recreational Therapy Association is committed to promoting, fostering and advancing the development of the profession of Recreational Therapy in Australia and internationally. Its mission is to ensure that the practice of Recreational Therapy continues to be viable and relevant, contributing to the wellbeing of clients and the community, while encouraging education, professional and personal development in its members.
ARTA Philosophy
Recreational Therapy practitioners provide, facilitate and coordinate leisure and recreational activities which are designed to support, challenge and enhance the psychological, spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals who experience barriers to participation in leisure and recreational pursuits thus affecting their quality of life.