Name: Matt S
Credentials: BFA (Performing Arts Technology), BSc (Therapeutic Recreation), CTRS
Practice Setting: Long-Term Care
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada 🇨🇦
Why I Became a Recreational Therapist
My path to recreational therapy came from a combination of wanting to help others and finding a more meaningful, sustainable way to use my skills.
Before entering healthcare, I worked in the music industry. Through the bar scene, I witnessed a significant amount of mental health challenges and struggles. At the same time, I wanted to put my music and facilitation skills to more consistent use—what many would call having a “day job.”
My aunt, who was a nurse, suggested therapeutic recreation as a profession that would allow me to work in healthcare while still having a “fun” job. She was right. Recreational therapy became the perfect intersection of creativity, connection, and care.
Why Recreational Therapy Matters
Recreational therapy matters because leisure and recreation are as essential to a life well lived as eating and breathing.
Across different healthcare settings, I have repeatedly seen the impact recreation can have. I’ve watched anxious and depressed individuals come out of their shell, develop friendships, and rediscover joy through meaningful activities. I’ve seen people living with dementia reconnect with their past—with visible delight—and experience reduced behaviors of concern.
One of the most rewarding parts of this work is transforming statements like:
“I haven’t done that in years. I don’t think I could. Why bother?”
into:
“When do we get to do that again?!”
Those moments are powerful reminders of why recreation therapy matters.
What People Often Don’t See About Recreational Therapy
One thing people outside the profession often don’t see is how much planning and clinical work happens behind the scenes.
Recreational therapists juggle extensive planning, back-office responsibilities, ongoing assessments, charting, observations, and continuing education. All of that work comes together to create what may look like a “simple” 30-minute program or a context-based behavioral intervention plan.
That simplicity is intentional—and it’s built on a mountain of professional skill, preparation, and care.
🧡 Thank You, Matt
Thank you, Matt, for sharing your journey, your perspective, and your passion for recreational therapy. Your story highlights the essential role of leisure, creativity, and connection in healthcare—and the depth of work that CTRSs bring to every setting.
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