Department of Recreational Therapy-Psychiatry
Recreational therapy is an important part of the
treatment regimen provided to both children and adults treated
for psychiatric illnesses
in the North Carolina Neurosciences Hospital. Following an
assessment by a recreational therapist, an individualized
treatment plan, which includes short-term and long-term discharge
goals, is developed for each patient. Patients are treated on an
individual basis, in small unit-based groups, or in off-unit
groups. Recreational therapy interventions for
children include:
- social skills training
- peer-oriented playgroups
- psychomotor interventions
- therapeutic outings
- animal assisted therapy
- family education
- emotional self-regulation skills
Adolescent patients admitted to the UNC Hospitals also benefit from recreational therapy treatment with:
- wellness
- life skills
- exercise
- therapeutic outings
- expressive arts groups
- emotional self-regulation skills
Recreational therapy interventions for adults include:
- stress management
- assertiveness training
- therapeutic outings
- exercise
- coping skills
- discharge planning
- emotional self-regulation skills
Patients on each unit are encouraged to be involved in planning unit activities.
