Therapeutic Recreation Specialist often work with other professionals in related fields. A list of many of these occupations is listed below:
- Addiction Counseling - Addiction counseling programs prepare students to work as counselors with people who have alcohol, substance abuse, or gambling addictions. Addiction counselors assess addiction problems, set up treatment plans, and learn methods for early intervention and prevention.
- Art Therapy - Art therapy programs teach students how to use art to promote the physical, mental, and emotional health of patients. Art therapy programs offered include topics such as assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental, emotional, and developmental disorders using art, and psychology and counseling techniques.
- Community Services - Community service programs prepare people to connect individuals with health care and social services. In community service programs, students may be able to specialize in community organizing and advocacy, community health services, mental illnesses, or prevention of domestic violence, child abuse, or drug/alcohol addiction.
- Dance Therapy - Dance programs teach people to express ideas and feelings through movement and dance performance. Dance therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance for emotional, cognitive, social, behavioral and physical conditions. It can help aid, treat, and cure many types of diseases and disabilities.
- Gerontology - Gerontology programs teach people about the aging process - including physical, mental, and social changes - and the needs of older people. Geriatrics is the comprehensive health care of older persons and the well-being of their informal caregiver
- Human Services - Human service programs prepare people to work for organizations that serve people in need. In human services programs, students study human behavior and problems. Students learn the theories, principles, and practice of providing human services. They also learn how to counsel and refer clients to related services.
- Medical Doctors - Medical Doctors (M.D.) examine patients; obtain medical histories; order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests; and prescribe and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease.
- Mental Health Counseling - Mental health counseling programs prepare people to counsel patients with personal problems, conflicts, or emotional crises. In mental health counseling programs students learn to guide patients to improved mental health. Students also learn counseling and interviewing skills. In addition, they learn observation and testing methods. Mental health counselors identify mental illness, conduct therapy, and research different counseling methods.
- Music Therapy - Music therapy programs prepare people to encourage healing in patients through music. Music therapists address physical, psychological, behavioral, emotional, and social needs in patients.
- Nursing - Registered nursing programs prepare people to work as registered nurses (R.N.). RNs administer medication and treatments, care for patients, and assist physicians.
- Occupational Therapy - Occupational therapy programs prepare people to help patients who have physical, mental, or emotional health problems learn skills to live on their own. Occupational therapists assess and evaluate patients, provide assistive and rehabilitative technologies, and give vocational counseling.
- Physical Therapy - Physical therapy programs prepare people to work with patients who have physical pain or limitations. Physical therapy programs include topics such as patient assessment and evaluation, care plan development, physical therapy modalities, rehabilitation psychology, and movement dynamics.
- Psychology - A general psychology program focuses on human behaviors and behavioral disorders. Psychology focuses on providing therapeutic treatments to clients who experience a wide variety of symptoms. It is also one of the largest specialty areas within psychology.
- Recreation, Fitness, and Leisure Studies - Recreation, fitness, and leisure studies programs prepare people to provide recreational services to the public. In recreation, fitness, and leisure studies programs students may be able to specialize in parks and recreation, health and physical education, and health and wellness. Recreation, fitness, and leisure studies programs include program management and wellness promotion.
- Rehabilitation Counseling - Rehabilitation counseling programs prepare people to counsel patients with mental and physical disabilities.In rehabilitation counseling programs students learn counseling and interviewing skills. In addition, they learn observation and testing methods. Students can concentrate on specific disabilities, such as mental illness, deafness, or substance abuse. Students learn how different disabilities affect the mind, body, and emotions.
- Social Work - Social work programs prepare people to counsel groups and individuals. In social work programs, students learn counseling methods and how to manage casework. They also learn when to make referrals to other services.
- Sport and Fitness Management - Sport and fitness management programs prepare people to run health clubs and manage sports teams. Sport and fitness management programs include topics such as business management, marketing, program planning and development, facilities management, health and safety standards, and public relations.
- Resources: http://www.iseek.org/education/fieldOfStudy?tab=5&id=361308, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_therapy, http://www.aghe.org/500217, http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologycareerprofiles/p/counseling-psychology.htm, http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/17/Physician_MD,
