By Danny W. Pettry II, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, NCC, CTRS-BH
Feeling undervalued on the treatment team is a common frustration among RTs. Sometimes colleagues simply don’t understand the depth and purpose of recreational therapy.
You can build respect by communicating clearly and consistently.
1. Use clinical language
Connect your interventions to goals the team already understands: coping skills, behavior regulation, emotional expression, and social functioning.
2. Share specific progress
Example: “Patient demonstrated increased frustration tolerance during task-based activity.”
Short, clinical updates build credibility.
3. Show confidence in your role
You are a trained clinician. Speak from your expertise.
4. Collaborate intentionally
When you show up consistently and communicate proactively, other disciplines see RT as essential—not optional.
Respect grows through presence, professionalism, and clarity.
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https://rectherapytoday.thinkific.com/collections