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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.
