Recreation Therapy: A Canadian Perspective

This short episode explores the role of “the big red book” in RecT education today in Canada and poses the question if its use should be re-evaluated?

Orquidea is a registered Diversional and Recreational Therapist in Aotearoa New Zealand. She is also the president of her national association. This episode provides a broad lens of current practice and includes the history of RecT in NZ.

Karen Littleton is currently working in Kelowna, BC with the Interior Health Authority as a Director in Population and Public Health, Clinical Prevention and Pandemic Response. This episode explores RecT within one of BC’s six health authorities and highlights progress within the field over the past thirty years. RecT’s role in public health and prevention is also discussed.

Daniel Gray is a Recreation Manager from Australia with over 20 years experience in the field. Daniel shares findings from his recent international travels where he explored RecT and funding models. Daniel also shared his knowledge and experience using artificial intelligence (AI) in the field. Contact: [email protected]

Nicholas Kathen is currently working as a Recreation Therapist at the outpatient chronic pain clinic at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa and he is completing a master’s degree in education at the University of Ottawa. Although this episode covers a variety of topics including research and education, the primary focus was on the role of recreation therapy in supporting population health.

This episode explores bumping in recreation therapy. I share my personal experiences with the process and how bumping uniquely impacts our field.

MJ Brothers is a is a CTRS and Recreation Manager working in long term care with Health PEI on Prince Edward Island. This episode explores RecT in more rural parts of Canada and the challenges and opportunities that brings including limited education and jobs choices. This episode also highlights some positive changes and future recommendations for RecT in PEI.

Jillian Christison is a CTRS working in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island with Vancouver Island Health authority. This episode explores the recreation therapy in the Comox Valley, online education, and committees.

Dr. Sienna Caspar is at professor at the University of Lethbridge, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Continuing Care and Founder of the Relational Care Knowledge Hub. This episode focuses on knowledge sharing, research and quality improvement initiatives in Long Term Care. Please visit links below to learn more about these outstanding initiatives.