"If

you find it in
your heart to care
for somebody
else, you will have
succeeded."
- Maya
Angelou

Careers
Therapeutic Recreation is
a very diverse profession
and offers a variety of
career opportunities in:

Adult retirement communities

Centers for physical medicine
and rehabilitation
Mental health agencies
Residential treatment
facilities
Substance abuse treatment
centers
Correctional facilities
Schools
Specialty schools
And More !

University of Utah
201 PRESIDENTS CIRCLE
ROOM 201 SLC, UT 84112
801-581-7200

Therapeutic
Recreation
University Of Utah

What you will

need:

When seeking an emphasis in

TR you will need:

Effective
communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Stress management
skills

Be able to:

Think independently

Receive and implement

constructive feedback
and be self-motivated
with a commitment to
learning

About Therapeutic Recreation

Emphasis offered at University of Utah

Therapeutic Recreation (TR), also referred to as Recreational Therapy (RT), is a

health and human service profession. TR uses activity-based interventions as a part of the
systematic therapeutic recreation process that targets specific evidence-based outcomes.
Individual and group counseling techniques are implemented through prescribed play,
recreation, experiential activity and psycho education processes to improve the physical,
social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual functioning and well-being of individuals with
injury, illness and/or disability to enable a greater quality of life.
The Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, also referred to as a Recreational Therapist,
assist clients/participants in developing knowledge, skills, and behaviors to improve
functioning for greater health and community engagement. The therapist also works with
the individual and his/her support systems to develop specific leisure skills and the
necessary resources to promote overall well-being and life satisfaction.
Qualified professionals must have both academic and applied training in TR/RT. In
the State of Utah, to practice as a recreational therapist one must be licensed by the
Department of Professional and Occupational Licensing (DOPL). National certification by
the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) as a Certified
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is also required for most positions in Utah and
across the United States.