Personal Philosophy of TR

Personal Philosophy

My favorite definition: Therapeutic recreation is a holistic process which purposively uses recreation of all kinds to bring about a positive change emotionally, spiritually, socially, physically, intellectually, in an effort to maintain and improve quality of life.
My philosophy. My philosophy of therapeutic recreation is a combination of the health protection model and the leisure ability model, based on the Dr. Zabriskie model (see Figure 1). 

 Treatment. In this area the purpose of therapeutic recreation is to improve functional behavior. The role of the TRS is that of therapist.  The skilled TRS uses recreation to improve physical and/or mental functioning, or address problem habits and behaviors. At this stage in treatment the patient's perceived freedom is low.  The patient requires support and guidance at every step.  
Example. For example, a individuals who have suffered  a CVA typically experience loss of mobility on one side of their body.  A TRS might teach a stroke victim with partial paralysis fishing. They would begin with their strong side, and expand to the side affected with paralysis. As the activity continues the patient could experience increased fine motor skill ability, increased gross motor skill ability, and increased strength depending on the weight of the fish they reeled in. 
 Leisure Education. During Leisure Education the TRS acts as a counselor. The client learns new skills and becomes better equipped to overcome barriers. People often get into trouble or suffer mentally and emotionally because of leisure boredom. This area involves helping teach new skills or choices. Leisure education includes exposing clients to recreation options, providing training in how to participate, and building their skill sets of specific leisure activities. The client's perceived freedom is greater in leisure education than in treatment, and the TRS is there for support and guidance.  
Example. An individual who recently suffered a spinal cord injury rendering her paralyzed from the waist down will probably not be able to participate in leisure activities the way they did prior to their injury.  If the client had been an avid triathlete prior to her accident, a TRS would help the client locate a place to purchase a hand-cycle, teach them how to get in and out of the pool, spend time with them in the pool while they learn how to swim again. Ultimately the TRS helps the client adapt the activities they love so they can still participate. 
 Recreation Participation. This area focuses on recreating. The patients now know about different options and are putting it to use. At this point, the recreational therapist acts only as a resource. The patient doesn’t need the TRS watching over them every step of the way and are used as a support system.  Perceived freedom is high. The patient sees themselves as able to make their own decisions with their new found freedom of choice.
 There is room for overlap in the model, and often the objectives are interchangeable. A TRS may start clients anywhere on the chart and work in any direction.  It is possible all three things are going on at once.  For example, an RT may take a group of adolescent skiing, with the purpose of participating in recreation, at this point the role of the RT is that of a facilitator.  Yet, some individuals have never skied before and they gain new skills (leisure education), as the RT acts as a resource.  One of the adolescents is sufferring from depression, anxiety, and opposition defiant disorder.   The RT may begin to process the individuals experience skiing, comparing it to other life situations that induce anxiety, where the individual is likely to act defiantly, by having the individual decipher ways oand being able to succeed in those areas, a process which falls under improved functioning.
Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (TRS) should facilitate appropriate, accessible, enjoyable activities for their clients, which increase perceptions of freedom and ultimately quality of life.  Activities should be person centered and should meet one of the following  objectives: (a) improve functioning, (b) increasing skills and ability, or (c) participating.  Throughout all activities the TRS should be flexible, creative, and adaptable, changing activities as needed to be sure the activities are best meeting the needs of the clients.  The TRS should also be willing change their role as needed between that of a (a) therapist, (b) councilor, and (c) resource.  No matter which role the TRS is taking the practitioner should always view all clients with unconditional positive regard.