Real Talk Recreation Therapy

What exactly is aquatic therapy, and how can recreation therapists use it effectively? In this episode, Carol and Jana dive into the benefits, evidence-based research, and best practices for using water-based interventions with clients. Whether you're new to the pool or looking to refine your approach, this episode will help you make a splash in your practice.Don't miss our shownotes which are full of research links to help you learn more and advocate for this in your practice: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lOOddyEEyMmTbbLfEfCDg-oP8kJY3C-nMYPQjA7SbCs/edit?usp=sharing

Curious about using nature in your therapy sessions? In this episode, Alexis from Root in Nature explains what therapeutic horticulture is, how recreation therapists can start using it—no garden required—and the research that backs it up. Learn how to confidently bring plants into your practice and explore certification options like the Certified Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitator (CTHF).Check out Shownotes for links to Research, Root in Nature programs, and how to contact Alexis: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MVYnIEa4daE6pYo9Gsx5Zn9P1nzIo2JGYIlg23o4yDg/edit?usp=sharing

In this unique episode of Real Talk Recreation Therapy, we sit down with recreation therapists working inside a unique assisted living facility designed specifically for retired firefighters. Tune in as we explore what recreation therapy looks like in a Firemen’s Home, how these therapists tailor therapeutic interventions for older adult males, and why understanding your client population is key to providing meaningful, person-centered care.We dive into the challenges and opportunities of working with a predominantly male population, and creative ways to build trust and engagement with older adults who’ve spent their lives in high-risk, high-impact careers. If you work in geriatric recreation therapy, assisted living, or male-centered programming, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiring stories.Shownotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NQMGwGpPQnKPQJrhR0jl7W1oZxOTLYp-OoEQJePoKMw/edit?usp=sharingKeywords: recreation therapy, therapeutic recreation, firefighter assisted living, Firemen’s Home, older adult males, senior recreation therapy, therapeutic interventions for men, geriatric recreation, male engagement activities, CTRS, person-centered care

In this episode of Real Talk Recreation Therapy, we dive into the essential topic of community outings in recreation therapy. If you're a recreation therapist, CTRS, or healthcare professional who understands the value of therapeutic experiences beyond the facility walls, this episode is for you.We explore the key considerations for planning offsite outings, including assessing client readiness, coordinating with caregivers and staff, selecting accessible community locations, managing risk, and ensuring outings are both meaningful and therapeutic. Whether you're new to offsite programming or looking to refine your current approach, this conversation will help you think through the logistics, benefits, and common challenges of therapeutic recreation in community settings.Tune in to learn the who, what, when, where, and how of making your next community-based recreation therapy outing a success.

Carol and Jana are back. Here are our updates and preview of what you can look forward to in Season 5 coming out this Spring! First full episode will be available on May 8. Everyone pop those ear pods in and join us!

We interview our friends & past teammates to share how people who study Sports Psychology and Recreation Therapy can work together. Then they offer some ready-made resilience tips to keep you and your clients going.

Listener Hannah Jacobs, CTRS joins us to offer best practices for how to keep recreation and leisure offerings therapeutic in Skilled Nursing Facilities and Long-Term Care. As the Senior Recreation Director at Aston Health in Florida, she advises Recreation Therapists in this setting all the time and we're psyched she's joining us to share her tips. Spoiler: we go way beyond BINGO

TechOwl's mission is to help people with disabilities get the tools and technology they need to be independent. This episode is full of information and resources to enable independent leisure.

Transitions, even good ones, are often hard. In this episode Kristi Smith, CTRS at Craig Hospital gives us insight into her unique position of preparing patients to transition from in-patient rehabilitation to community integration and participation. If you've never heard of the amazing work done at Craig Hospital, prepare to be amazed!

This week we're excited to share an interview with Katrina Stickle host of the Engaged in Rec Podcast. Kristina talks passionately and helps encourage other Recreation Therapists to stick with it and find your purpose.

Recreation Therapists facilitate many different techniques to help clients reduce stress but, according to the research, which ones actually work? Join us as we review Dr. David R. Austin's Article from the Fall 2023 edition of Access ATRA, in which he rates common modalities based on the level of empirical evidence that supports their use for stress reduction.

What are the benefits of membership in the American Therapeutic Recreation Association? In this episode we interview ATRA Executive Director Brent Wolfe about what ATRA can and is doing for Recreation Therapy in America. As we commence celebration of ATRA's 40th year, we hope this episode will help you consider what membership can mean for you individually and our profession as a whole.

Join us in this episode with Janell Greenwood MBA, CTRS, as we dive into powerful strategies for internal marketing. Learn how to increase visibility and earn respect within your organization as a Recreation Therapist. Discover actionable tips to effectively showcase your role to coworkers, supervisors, and stakeholders. Elevate your impact and transform the way you're perceived in the workplace!

Join us as we delve into the unique experiences of Ellie Madenberg, CTRS, who works as a Recreation Therapist with prisoners at the Utah Department of Corrections. If you're curious about the role of an RT in this environment, don't miss this insightful episode!

Curious about funding options for your Recreation Therapy Program? Dive into this episode with grant-writing expert Debbie Adams as she demystifies the grant application process and offers valuable tips. Get ready to uncover resources and debunk common myths. If you're exploring grant funding, this episode is a must-listen!

Welcome back to Part 2 of our series on theoretical models in Recreation Therapy. In this episode, Jana and Carol delve into the Leisure Well-being and Flourishing Through Leisure Models,while exploring the role of positive psychology in our field. This serves as a continuation of our discussion from Part 1, providing a comprehensive understanding of why we do what we do in RT.

"Welcome to Part 1 of our two-part series on theoretical models in Recreation Therapy. In this episode, Carol and Jana explore the foundational Leisure Ability and Health Protection/Health Promotion Models. These models serve as the compass guiding our practice, and as Dr. David Austin said, 'Models direct and describe practice.' Tune into gain a deep understanding of these models, setting the stage for our upcoming discussion of more models in Part 2."

In this episode, we'll share our personal experiences and viewpoints as Recreation Therapists while answering a listener's question about the profession. We'll provide insights into our work settings, typical schedules, and the diverse populations we serve. Additionally, we'll delve into variations in Rec Therapy pay across states and offer valuable negotiation tips. Whether you're a new RT, a student, or just curious about this field, join us for a candid conversation that offers both personal insights and practical advice.

Join us as we interview Nathan Lamaster, a successful multi-business entrepreneur and Recreation Therapist. Nathan shares his journey, '10 Steps for Starting a Business,' and insights on business structure. This episode offers essential tips for aspiring entrepreneurs

In this inspiring interview, join Dr. Keith Barney as he shares his remarkable journey from injury to becoming a world-class athlete. Discover the secrets behind his triumph, which include setting goals, unwavering determination, and reasonable bathroom access! Join us for this extraordinary story of how 'My life wins! Disability doesn't win!" You won't want to miss it! Check out the show notes at [Link].

What is it like to coach adaptive sports with elite athletes? How do you help athletes prepare for high level competitions. In this episode we interview Warrior Games and Paralympic Coach Adriene for her experience and recommendations to recreation therapists working with athletes that want to take their participation to the next level. Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/episode-13-coaching-paralympians/

In this episode, we interview a certified music therapist, Carolyn Meyer. Carolyn shares with us her journey to becoming a music therapist, how you can become a Music Therapist (hint, it’s a different degree & certification than Recreation Therapist), and what a Music Therapist does in their day-to-day. Carolyn talks about some of the settings in which Music Therapy is practiced and her experiences in different settings. She also shares some of the therapeutic benefits of music therapy and some resources that could be useful to Recreation Therapists looking to add music to their practices. Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/music-therapy/

We discuss settings and populations where we've seen adaptive cycling utilized effectively. We discuss a wide range of different cycles and how finding the right bike can make all the difference. Finally we share some tips we've learned to help your cycling group run smoothly and safely. Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/episode-11-cycling-best-practices/

If you are looking for evidence-based justification for using Cycling as part of a therapeutic intervention then this episode is for you. You don’t want to miss hearing about all the interesting research that’s out there. Anybody can ride a bike. Here are the benefits of encouraging that. Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/episode-10-cycling-modality-research/

Kristi Fenick, the District Manager of the City of San Diego’s Therapeutic Recreation and AgeWell Services, talks to us about managing a Therapeutic Recreation team at the city level. If you are interested in Community Recreation Therapy or Recreation Therapy Management, this episode is for you! Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/episode-9-managing-a-city-program-with-kristi-fenick/

50 Continuing Education Units (CEUS) are part of the requirement for Recreation Therapists to re-certify every five years. Join us as we interview Danny Pettry, founder of Rec Therapy Today, to hear about his affordable, online CEU courses and about the recertification process in general. Sit back, tune in, and let the stress of recertification ease. You’ve got this! Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/podcast-library/episode-8-ceus-with-danny-pettry/

Getting into the nitty gritty of using gardening as a modality. In this episode, we talk more about the specifics of the gardening modality. We go through the APIE process, and adaptations, and talk about our own experiences and growth in this modality. Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/episode-7-gardening-pt-2/

In this episode, we talk about a modality that has really grown on us! We really dig the research based benefits of Therapeutic Gardening and can’t wait to share! Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/podcast-library/gardening-part-1/

In this episode, Jana and Carol interview their friend, and newly certified Yoga Therapist- Alli Houseworth! In this episode the gang talks about Alli’s journey from knowing nothing about yoga, to becoming a yoga teacher and then to becoming a Yoga Therapist. We will cover topics including what Yoga therapy is and how it differs from mainstream yoga, as well as how to find a yoga therapist to hire and resources available to Recreation Therapists who want to include yoga in their modalities. Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/podcast-library/episode-5-yoga-therapy/

Game on! In this episode, we finish up our discussion on table games by talking about adaptations we’ve seen and used, go through the APIE process and talk about best practices when using table games as a modality. Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/episode-4-table-games-pt-2/

It’s all fun and games until someone reaches their therapeutic goals- then it’s Recreation Therapy! In this episode, we discuss current research that supports the use of Table Games as a therapeutic modality. We also tell stories about our experiences using table games with clients, including a few misadventures… If you’ve ever thought about using card or board games for your session, this may be the episode for you! Shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/podcast-library/table-games-pt-1/

On this episode, Carol and Jana interview Cara Short, the executive director of AccesSurf. During this interview, we cover topics that include AccesSurf, adaptive surfing, important considerations to make when running a non-profit, and how the sport of adaptive surfing has grown in the past 16 years. A special thanks to our guest, Cara Short, for taking the time out of her busy day to tell us about the organization she is so passionate about! For Shownotes visit: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/podcast-library/interview-with-accessurf-adaptive-surfing/

Welcome to the Real Talk Recreation Therapy Podcast! On this episode, Carol and Jana interview each other about our love for Recreation Therapy and what we've done so far as Recreation Therapists. Visit our website for shownotes: https://realtalkrecreationtherapy.com/podcast-library/meet-the-recreation-therapists/