The Johnston Family.

I’m a Recreational Therapist at a Residential Treatment Center for children and adolescents with mental health needs. We, recreational therapists use work with individuals to develop a treatment plan to address her (or his) strengths and areas of needed improvement in several domains: social, physical, cognitive, emotional, and leisure. The recreational therapist will then provide therapeutic activity interventions to assist the person in meeting the goals on her (or his) treatment plan. Finally, we evaluate the outcomes of treatment. Our ultimate goal is to get the person to their highest functioning abilities.

As a Recreational Therapist, I was highly motivated by the Johnston family.

Watch a CNN video with Anderson Cooper here:
http://www.andersoncooper.com/2011/10/21/inside-the-johnston-family-home/

Based on my small observation of the family, they appear to be at their highest functioning!
I’ve had clients with mental health needs have distorted thinking patterns such as, “It is impossible, it is hopeless to try, or I can’t.” Some Recreational Therapists use books (bibliotherpay) and movies (cinema therapy) to assist their clients in meeting treatment goals. I like to use real –life stories.

A session could consist reading a brief article on “the Johnston family” to a group of clients in treatment. There would be goal-oriented discussion questions.

Here are some examples: What are their strengths? What are they doing to overcome challenges? What are some of your personal strengths? How could you overcome your own challenges? Are like the Johnston family in that you’re willing to give-up excuses and do your best or are you unlike them? Imagine a future life where you’re doing the best you can despite your limitations. What would that life look like? What steps could you take to get there?

Please note that Recreational Therapy is a treatment-oriented profession that is often under the supervision of a physician as part of an overall treatment plan. Recreational therapists in the United States are certified and/or licensed to practice.