Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation

Through Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation, students will be able to achieve these objectives:

-Gain a 21st-century vision of the profession provided by leading thinkers in the field

-Learn the attributes and skills they need in order to thrive in various career paths in the profession

-Interact through the text, technology, and media responses to more thoroughly understand the field and profession

Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to the profession. The book draws on the combined wisdom, experience, and technical expertise of 23 professors and leaders in the field. From these contributors, readers gain access to diverse perceptions, philosophies, and practices for therapeutic recreation in the 21st century.

The book showcases how the profession addresses various clients' needs throughout the life span through therapeutic programs, modalities, and activities. It also

-presents a wide range of applications, allowing readers to explore their personal and professional options;

-provides insight into the basic knowledge, attributes, and skills students need in order to thrive in the field; and

-delineates career paths in the profession and how a therapeutic recreation specialist works with various populations.

Edited by Dr. Terry Robertson and Dr. Terry Long, Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation has a comprehensive vision. The contributors present the broad scope of therapeutic recreation as research and practice across a diverse demographic of clients and consumers. The contributing authors explore various perspectives on therapeutic recreation and present standards and certification information that prepare students for the profession.

Part I defines therapeutic recreation as a profession and provides an overview of its history and of the professional opportunities available. Part I also explores the profession's person-first philosophy and outlines the therapeutic recreation process as well as its models and modalities of practice and its allied professions.

Part II delves into trends and issues, looking at demographics, economics, politics, and legislation as they affect the profession. It details international issues and paradoxes and concludes with future perspectives.

Part III examines mechanisms for intervention from a number of perspectives, including orthopedic and neurological impairment, developmental disabilities, mental health, youth development, aging, and wellness.

Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation contains chapter discussion questions to expand students' learning as well as Outstanding Professionals and Client Portraits sections to help students gain insight into various career paths. The book is accompanied by an instructor guide, PowerPoint presentations, and a test package available via the text's Web site to support the classroom instruction and enhance learning.

The entire package gives students a solid grounding in the profession as it is today and a clear understanding of where the profession is headed tomorrow.

Terry Robertson, PhD, is an associate professor and department chair in the department of health, physical education, recreation, and dance at Northwest Missouri State University. He has worked in therapeutic recreation for over 30 years as a practitioner, consultant, and educator.

Dr. Robertson is a past president of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society, the regional independent living center, the Missouri Therapeutic Recreation Society, and the Nevada Therapeutic Recreation Society. He also served on the Utah Therapeutic Recreation Licensure for 6 years and was the director of CEUs for the Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation for over 20 years. Dr. Robertson is currently serving a 4-year, publicly elected term on his county's health board and has served on numerous other boards and in other leadership capacities for related organizations. He is currently serving locally on his county's organization for group homes. Dr. Robertson was also a codeveloper of the Case Histories section of the Therapeutic Recreation Journal. Currently known as Practice Perspectives, this section helps the profession examine individual and group interventions and contributes information on best practices, interventions, and treatment concerns to research literature.

Terry Long, PhD, is an associate professor in the department of health, physical education, recreation, and dance at Northwest Missouri State University, where he has coordinated the therapeutic recreation curriculum since 2000. He is also the director of the HPERD Abilities Laboratory. His specialty is applications of therapeutic recreation in the mental health realm, particularly in the area of behavior disorders. Dr. Long also has a master's degree in clinical psychology and worked with various mental health agencies and facilities over the past 10 years in both clinical and outdoor settings.

Dr. Long is an associate editor for Therapeutic Recreation Journal and an associate editor for SCHOLE. He is past president of the Missouri Therapeutic Recreation Society, at-large director for the National Therapeutic Recreation Society Board of Directors (2006-2008 term), and the board president for the independent living center serving the Northwest Region of Missouri. He is past president of the Missouri Park and Recreation Association Educators Section.