Therapeutic Recreation Leadership and Programming

Robin Kunstler, Frances Stavola Daly

• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 2
• eBook ISBN:
  9781492593768
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Business General

Equip students with the knowledge and tools to engage in therapeutic recreation.

Therapeutic Recreation Leadership and Programming, Second Edition, is the only textbook that places leadership at the core of therapeutic recreation (TR) programming. It conveys the synergy between the roles of therapist and recreation specialist—two interconnected functions that promote personal growth and create meaningful leisure experiences for clients.

This second edition aims to equip students with a comprehensive framework for carrying out daily responsibilities in therapeutic recreation, guided by the highest ethical standards, risk management practices, and cultural considerations.

Incorporating the latest research from leading researchers worldwide, along with current regulations, legal mandates, and updated standards of practice, the second edition includes all-new chapters that detail the four steps of the TR process and offer practical guidance on promoting the profession through grants, marketing, and advocacy.

Additional new content featured in the second edition includes the following:

• A chapter on balanced programming, helping specialists better understand how to address the needs of diverse client populations in various settings
• Separate chapters dedicated to the therapeutic recreation process and promoting the profession
• A section on societal innovations affecting program planning, the spiritual domain, and trauma-informed care
• Suggestions for a therapeutic recreation toolkit, including arts, cognitively oriented programs, health programs, nature-oriented programs, and social activities, to engage clients in meaningful and productive actions to reach their personal goals.

Additional features—including chapter objectives, sidebars, case studies, and new chapter wrap-ups—make Therapeutic Recreation Leadership and Programming a more approachable and engaging read for students and a helpful reference for those pursuing the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation. Part I sets the stage for the practitioner to design and deliver TR programs. Included are core values and principles underlying TR practice and the components of 10 models for TR program design. Part II examines clients, programs, and methods through which students learn to match the needs of clients with the appropriate programs and select strategies to facilitate the achievement of predetermined client outcomes. Part III covers leading group and individual TR programs, advocating for and marketing TR services, and pursuing professional leadership opportunities.

Inspire students with the power and positivity of therapeutic recreation through Therapeutic Recreation Leadership and Programming, Second Edition.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Part I: Establishing A Foundation for Ethical Practice
• Part II: Creating the Structure of Therapeutic Recreation Practice
• Part III: Applications of Therapeutic Recreation Leadership
• Appendix A: American Therapeutic Recreation Association Code of Ethics
• Appendix B: Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association Code of Ethics
• Appendix C: American Therapeutic Recreation Association Standards for the Practice of Therapeutic Recreation
• Appendix D: Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association Standards of Practice for Recreation Therapists and Recreation Therapy Assistants 2023
• Glossary
• References
• Index
• About the Authors