What is therapeutic recreation? Champaign counselors train to include it in their sessions
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — On Thursday in Champaign, dozens worked together to fill a gap in the world of therapeutic recreation. That’s when you use leisure activities for therapy.
At Rosecrance, one session focused on meditation. People were learning how to use it in their own lives, and also incorporate it into their sessions with clients.
Paul Fasano, a recreation therapist and alcohol and drug counselor, said this type of therapy is especially important at Rosecrance, where they’re focused on helping people with mental health illnesses or drug abuse.
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He knows this is one way to help others find their passions after going through challenging times.
“Whether it be physical wellness, nature activities, arts, expressive arts, or visual arts. We need a connection with that and that helps us with our self-awareness, our value system,” Fasano said.
Therapeutic recreation can also include music therapy or art therapy. Or, in Fasano’s case, he relates it to ecology.
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“We’re utilizing plants and some metaphors of self-care and growth of plants and not having that instant gratification and relying on a relationship with mother nature to being successful,” he explained.
This type of therapy has been around since the 1960s, and he wants to spread more awareness. In the long term, he hopes more counselors use it and make a big difference when it comes to recovery.
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