Interviews with Rec. Therapists

Dec. 2010
Michael Sutherland

Michael discovered Recreational Therapy in 1989. Michael was a kinesiotherapy student and he was talking to a friend at the gym and they started talking about this “other” department which Michael thought sounded like the perfect job (a mix of fun and therapy!) Michael went to see Dr. Roy Olsson and started his career path as a Recreational Therapist. He earned a B.Ed. and a M.Ed at the University of Toledo (Ohio).

Michael has worked as a Recreational Therapist since 1995.
He has held Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credentials since 1994.

Michael works in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He provides Recreational Therapy for patients between the ages of 13 and 105. These people have had brain injuries, strokes, amputations, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Gullien Barre Syndrome, multiple trauma/ orthopedic injuries, burns, and medically deconditioned.

Recreational therapy services provided by Michael consist of functional skills building in the following domains: physical, cognitive, and social. He does this through a mix of recreational therapy interventions. Michael also provides leisure education, social skills building and pre-community reintegration skills training.
Michael enjoys meeting people and helping them get back to “normal.” He specially enjoys working with younger patients who have had TBI and SCI. They’re especially eager to do leisure and quite often led active and diverse leisure lifestyles to which they’re eager to return.

Michael Sutherland is a member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and a member of the Cincinnati/ Dayton Area Recreational Therapy Association (CDARTA). Michael is currently the chair of ATRA’s Chapter Affiliate Council and is a member of ATRA’s Board of Directors. He has previously served CDARTA in the past as a two-term president.