Personal Philosophy

My Personal Philosophy:


We all need to recreate because of how it helps us to function well. Therapeutic recreation is the opportunity to use recreation and leisure in a conscious effort to help others meet and overcome whatever needs or difficulties they have. Through recreational experiences, their quality of life will improve because there is power in recreating with a purpose!

URTA:

ATRA:

{Definition Statement}
Recreational therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being. 

Revised by ATRA Board of Directors | May 2015

{Statement of Meaning}
(This is a supplemental description) “Recreational Therapy means a treatment service designed to restore, remediate, and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition” (ATRA, 2009). 

Adopted by ATRA Board of Directors | May 2015

NTRS:

{Vision} 
The National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS), a branch of the National Recreation and Park Association, is the leading membership organization of practitioners, educators, students, consumers and friends advancing the belief that leisure and recreation are basic human rights and are critical to health, quality of life and happiness. As basic rights, leisure and recreation must be available to all people, including those with illnesses, disabilities or other conditions that may restrict health, independence and quality of life. NTRS supports its membership in their informed endeavors to serve the consumers of therapeutic recreation in ways that are helpful, empowering, inclusive, dignified and just.

{Mission}
The National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS) provides members with the opportunity to enhance their competence and their commitment. Members create and personalize a network of support, information and action designed to articulate the practice and benefits of the therapeutic recreation profession. Members of NTRS energetically and creatively provide and receive inspiration, friendship, mentoring, opportunities for professional growth and an open forum for the exchange of ideas in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

To further this Vision and Mission, NTRS does and will commit each of its initiatives toward working effectively as an organization promoting excellence in therapeutic recreation services for the benefit of society today and into the future. NTRS does and will continue to:

• Establish and Promote Professional Standards of Practice
• Develop and Uphold Ethical Standards
• Influence Public Policy
• Advance Public Awareness
• Cultivate Best Practice Programs and Services
• Support Research and Efficacy Efforts Increasing the Evolving Professional
• Body of Knowledge
• Provide Educational Opportunities and Publications for the Profession
• Communicate, Cooperate and Collaborate with others who share our Vision

Therapeutic Recreation...The Quality of Life Profession

Approved by the NTRS Board of Directors
October 14, 2000

Retrieved from: 

https://www.atra-online.com/welcome/about-atra 

http://web.archive.org/web/20041214200055/http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=872