What is Recreation Therapy?
Commonly referred to as Rehabilitation Therapy and Activity Therapy
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. -NCTRC
See https://www.atra-online.com/page/AboutRecTherapy for more information.
Our Goals:
Recreation Therapist, also referred to as activity therapist, rehabilitation therapist, or therapeutic recreation specialist provide various activities and programs with the ultimate goal to enhance the overall quality of life. We strive to achieve this goal by providing a variety of activities.
To increase:
- Social Interaction Skills
- Gross and Fine Motor Skills
- Appropriate Means of Emotional Expression
- Cognitive Functioning
- Perceptual Motor Skills
- Self-Esteem
- Mental Well Being
- Use of Positive Coping Skills
To Provide Opportunities For:
- Experiencing Enjoyment and Contentment
- Recreation Participation
- Learning New Leisure Skills
- Relieving Stress
- Increased Relaxation
- Development of Appropriate Coping Skills
- Distraction from Negative Behaviors/Addictions
- Floor Time
- Creative Expression
Informational Video
Recreation Therapy: The Story of Rigo & Alivia presented by California Parks and Recreation Society
Additional Services
Professional Speaker
🎤 Education and Motivational Speaker, Tamica is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator in the field of recreation therapy, motivation, and women's empowerment. With over 25 years’ experience as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and an Inclusion Specialist, she has delivered presentations and facilitated sessions at premier industry events including:
- Texas Recreation & Parks Society (TRAPS) North Region Convention – 2024
- Bay Area Therapeutic Recreation Association (BATRA) Fall Conference – 2024
- TRAPS Texas State Institute – 2025
- California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS) Recreation Therapy Institute – 2025
Her sessions often focus on topics like inclusive program design, adaptive recreational strategies, advocacy in therapeutic recreation, and consulting best practices.
At CPRS’s RT Institute, she presented “RT Consulting: Is It for You?”, exploring how professionals can begin and grow a successful recreation therapy consulting practice.
Tamica brings proven expertise in delivering engaging, evidence-based sessions (often with CEUs) and practical strategies. Her inspirational storytelling, grounded in lived experience and advocacy, makes her a standout speaker for conventions, educational summits, wellness events, and staff trainings.
Inclusion & Adaptive Recreation
Evaluation Process:
- Review Program Goals
- Evaluation of Registration Process
- Evaluation of Marketing/Website
- Facilitation of Focus Groups
- Facilitation of Community Survey
- Observation of Program Implementation
- Staff Trainings
- Support Recreation Therapist/Staff
- Provide Best Practice Manual
- Provide Adaptive & Inclusion Assessment Document (resources and recommendations included)
Team Building
Annual Team building is an important factor in its focus on bringing out self-development in a team, positive communication, leadership skills, and the ability to work closely together as a team to problem-solve. Team building activities are provided to staff or teammates. The overall designed is for improving team performance.
Team Building
*Simple bonding exercises
* Full day team building activities
*Multi-day team building retreats
Annual Staff Trainings
Staff support comes in many facets. We provide hands-on training and provide opportunities for staff to observe us implement groups and/or individual activities. Our approach will improve staff 's confidence to provide the best therapeutic, informative and fun experience for their clients.
ANNUAL TRAINING/WORKSHOPS EXAMPLES
*Disability Sensitivity
*Adaptive Aquatics
*Adaptive Programs
* Redirecting Difficult Behaviors
*Mental Health Awareness
*Leadership Skills
*Burn Out Prevention for Staff
*Implementation of Groups
*Sensory Stimulation
*Activities with a Purpose
*Development of Coping Skills
* Healthy Lifestyles
*Facilitation of Individual Activities
Additional Topics Available
The Relaxation Corner
The Relaxation Corner
The relaxation corner is a multi-sensory stimulating, exciting, pleasant, and relaxing area in the home or facility. It will provide the opportunity for clients to experience some control of their environment and a mental health break.
Benefits
*Relax body
*Experience self-control
*Feelings of freedom
*Creative expression
* Peacefulness
In-School Services
The Relaxation Corner
We conduct Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) within School District Special Education Departments, offering a range of services. These include classroom observations, administering standardized wellness and leisure assessments, and conducting interviews with students, guardians, and teachers. We provide and review written documentation of our findings during Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings and facilitate social skills groups to support students' development.
- Virutal 1:1 RT services
- Social Skill Groups
- Virutal Adaptive Movment Class