Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus, Canada

This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for a career in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. Therapeutic Recreation Specialists work with individuals who, due to illness, disability or other life circumstances require assistance to meet their individual goals and dreams. In this program, you develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge to facilitate purposeful, quality leisure experiences. You use the tools of recreation and leisure to provide client centred, strengths-based therapeutic recreation services, which lead to happiness, well-being and quality of life.

Develop advanced knowledge of how to complete participant assessments, create individualized and group programs and document participant outcomes. Apply a variety of facilitative techniques to promote inclusive and meaningful recreation and leisure experiences, and advocate for participants across a variety of service settings to maximize environmental resources that are essential for well-being. Through collaboration, teamwork, research and professional involvement, you learn to adapt, implement and evaluate recreation activities to meet the needs of people in a wide range of settings. Develop your professional identity and goals to prepare you for placement and employment, which may include private practice. Your placement consolidates the skills and learning that you have attained throughout your coursework.

Graduates may work with people of all abilities that may include physical or developmental disabilities, seniors, children with diverse learning needs, youth at risk, as well as individuals with addictions, mental illness or head injuries. Specifically, you may find work in recreation, health or social service organizations such as:

• long-term care facilities
• adult day programs
• hospitals and health care agencies
• rehabilitation centres
• senior residential facilities
• centres for independent living
• mental health agencies
• addiction services
• municipal community-based programs
• group homes
• outreach community health and wellness agencies
• private family care, and
• forensic and youth services