As you consider a range of therapy programs for your teen’s drug rehab treatment, you run across recreational therapy. Then you wonder, what is the recreational therapy definition and does your teen need this type of therapy? For many people, it is hard to imagine recreation being helpful as part of drug or alcohol recovery. However, this type of therapy provides benefits many other types do not.
What Is the Recreational Therapy Definition?
So what is the recreational therapy definition? According to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), recreational therapy is a therapy process using activities and recreation to address someone’s specific health needs. These needs include those of people recovering from physical, behavioral and mental health problems, such as addiction. A recreational therapy program helps return healthy functioning, socialization, and independence to your teen’s life. It also promotes good health and wellness where addiction caused problems in everyday life. However, recreational therapy is not just playing games or having fun. Your teen’s therapist guides each session with specific goals for treatment. Overall, engaging in recreational activities helps teens learn how to overcome negative behaviors, substance abuse, and mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Through these methods, they reach recovery goals and set a positive tone for the rest of their life in sobriety.
What Kind of Recreational Therapy Does a Rehab Program Provide?
A quality rehab treatment program for teens provides recreational therapies that encourage your young person to engage in his or her own recovery. Good examples of recreational therapies to look for in a treatment program include the following:
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Yoga and meditation
- Outdoor activities
These activities follow the recreational therapy definition when they help teens build social skills and self-confidence. They also learn healthier ways of interacting with other sober people. At the same time, they dig more deeply within their own thoughts and capabilities, learning what they need for healthy recovery.
Where Do You Find Recreational Therapy for Teens?
Finding a quality teen rehab treatment program offering recreational therapy is never easy. You have many concerns about sending your teen into others’ hands. You want to ensure the program offers a real chance for lasting recovery, including a stronger outlook for your teen’s brightest future. Besides recreational therapy, such a program must include the following types of programs and therapies:
- Residential, PHP, IOP, and OP
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Family therapy and family treatment
- Individual and group therapy
- Mindfulness
You find all of these programs and therapies at Destinations for Teens in Woodland Hills, CA. Call Destinations for Teens now at 877-466-0620 to learn more about available programs. Ask the caring counselor, “What is the recreational therapy definition,” to also gain insight about recreational therapy at Destinations for Teens.