What is the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)?

• A. Art Therapist (AT)
• B. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
• C. Board Certified-Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT)
• D. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR)

Answer: (B)

CTRS stands for Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, the professional credential awarded to practitioners who plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs. This credential signals that a practitioner has demonstrated the knowledge and skills to use recreation-based interventions to help people improve functioning, health, and participation in daily life, especially after illness, injury, or with disability. Earning CTRS typically involves completing an accredited degree in therapeutic recreation or recreation therapy, accumulating supervised fieldwork experience, and passing a comprehensive exam that covers assessment, treatment planning, program implementation, and outcomes evaluation, along with professional ethics and safety considerations. Holding this certification shows employers and clients that the person is qualified to design individualized activities and therapeutic experiences that align with specific goals and measurable improvements.

Other options refer to different fields or credentials. An art therapy credential belongs to a related but distinct discipline focused on using art as therapy. A board-certified dance/movement therapist credential pertains to a separate specialty in movement-based therapy. CPR certification is a general safety credential not specific to therapeutic recreation practice.