Philosophies of Professional Organizations

Philosophies of Professional Organizations

 As shown below, there exists in the field of therapeutic recreation a wide range of philosophies. Although there is not a set-in-stone philosophy for the profession, it is important that each program as well as each individual has a philosophy from which to guide their actions in the field of practice.

Philosophies of National Organizations

·         National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS): "All human beings, including those individuals with disabilities, illnesses, or limiting conditions, have a right to, and a need for, leisure involvement as a necessary aspect of the human experience. The purpose of therapeutic recreation services is to facilitate the development, maintenance, and expression of an appropriate leisure lifestyle for individuals with limitations through the provision of therapy, leisure education, and recreation participation services." Philosophical Statement of the NTRS (National Therapeutic Recreation Society)

       American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA): "The primary purposes of treatment services which are often referred to as Recreational Therapy, are to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning and independence, as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. The primary purposes of recreational services are to provide recreation resources and opportunities in order to improve health and well-being." ATRA Code of Ethics

Philosophies of Organizations in the 1950s

·         Hospital Recreation Society (HRS): “The membership of the HRS was primarily made up of those who worked in military and VA hospitals. Their philosophy was largely that of extending recreation for all through the provision of programs focusing on recreation for the sake of recreation, rather than treatment and rehabilitation.” Therapeutic Recreation: A Long Past but a Brief History

·         National Association of Recreation Therapists (NART): “Their philosophy was that of using recreation as an intervention or as a tool for treatment and rehabilitation.”Therapeutic Recreation: A Long Past but a Brief History

·         American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPER): “Members of this organization were particularly interested in physical activity.” Therapeutic Recreation: A Long Past but a Brief History

Philosophies of Other Organizations

·         Fletcher Allen Health Care: "It is the philosophy of the Therapeutic Recreation program that leisure and recreation are inherent aspects of the human experience. Therapeutic recreation is a process of utilizing recreation activities for intervention in physical, emotional, and/or social behavior to bring about a change which promotes the growth and development of the individual." http://www.fletcherallen.org/services/rehabilitation/specialties/recreation_therapy/

·         Douglas College: “The underlying philosophy of the Therapeutic Recreation Program is the belief that leisure and recreation are essential parts of a healthy life. Further, we believe that health is promoted and enabled when recreation and leisure experiences are incorporated into one's lifestyle.” http://www.douglas.bc.ca/calendar/programs/ptherarec.html

·         Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA): Therapeutic Recreation is a profession which recognizes leisure, recreation and play as integral components of quality of life. Service is provided to individuals who have physical, mental, social or emotional limitations which impact their ability to engage in meaningful leisure experiences. Therapeutic Recreation is directed toward functional interventions, leisure education and participation opportunities. These processes support the goal of assisting the individual to maximize the independence in leisure, optimal health and the highest possible quality of life. http://www.canadian-tr.org/About