Celebrating Therapeutic Recreation Month: Meet Grandview Kids Recreation Therapist, Chelsea R. CTRS, R/TRO! 

As a Recreation Therapist in paediatrics, I have the honour of meeting clients and families where they are. Together, through the therapeutic relationship and the Recreation Therapy Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and Documentation (APIED) process, we identify a path that includes purposeful play, recreation and leisure to support clients’ and families’ needs and meaningful life engagement. 

At the heart of this career is purposeful experience that upwardly lifts clients and families. 

The best moments are witnessing the small changes that move us a step closer to accomplishing a goal and meeting a need:

When I hear a parent say they had a proud “mommy moment” after their child’s teacher notes a positive change in the classroom, it solidifies the development of transferable skills. When I receive an email with a picture from a kiddo’s reflections on their experience in a Recreation Therapy session, being “so so so fun” and more fun than initially thought, it supports the development of a new leisure interest and transition into the community. When an opportunity for autonomy arises through choice-making, problem-solving or independent initiation and engagement in play, it builds decision-making skills, self-confidence, resilience and emotional regulation.  

Recreation Therapy for kids is all about learning and growing through play and creating an environment for growth and skill development in a playful way that helps it stick. 

Using a compassionate, strengths-based approach, I emphasize identifying and enhancing strengths and resources. I foster an environment that encourages social interactions through play, recreation and leisure activities, supporting childhood development, normal childhood experiences, increased family engagement and offering coping strategies. This approach aims to address clients’ needs across the physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual dimensions of life. 

It is a relational process that collaboratively cultivates connection, growth, the development of life skills and coping strategies, community connectivity and meaningful experiences. 

I am so grateful to partner with so many beautiful families through Therapeutic Recreation at Grandview Kids and witness their growth. 

Together, we cultivate community, curiosity and capacity by eliciting, amplifying and reinforcing strengths, creating meaning. 

Chelsea is an earner of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC) certification and holds the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS) designation. She has met NCTRC’s certification standards related to academic coursework, demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities recognized as essential for the practice of therapeutic recreation. Click here to see Chelsea’s badge!