The term therapeutic specialist can be applied to two different types of jobs. Some people use this term to refer to therapists who specialize in therapeutic recreation. This type of therapist designs and implements therapeutic leisure activities for people of all ages who are dealing with a variety of physical and emotional problems. Others use the term therapeutic specialist in a broader sense to refer to practitioners of various complementary medicine modalities like acupuncture and massage. The type of training needed to become a therapeutic specialist is determined the type of therapy that will be used.
In some cases, therapeutic recreation specialists are referred to as therapeutic specialists. This type of therapist works with clients of all ages who have physical or emotional issues and is usually based in a hospital, rehabilitation center, or elderly care facility. Through the planning and implementation of leisure activities, the therapist’s role is to promote recovery and well-being among her clients. She could, for example, organize team sports games to help abused children develop trust and social skills. She might take clients in an elderly care facility on outings to the movies or the grocery store to help them maintain their independence.
Some people use the term therapeutic specialist in a broader sense that includes practitioners of various complementary or non-Western medicine. What this type of therapeutic specialist does is determined her area of expertise. An acupuncturist, for example, places needles at various points on a client’s skin in the hopes of freeing the client’s energy and thus improving her overall health. A massage therapist rubs and manipulates her clients’ muscles with various techniques, relieving pain and promoting relaxation.
The type of therapy that will be practiced will determine what kind of training is required to become a therapeutic specialist. A four-year degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university is typically required of a recreation specialist. The type of education required to become a complementary medicine specialist varies considerably. Acupuncturists in the United States, for example, must typically complete a master’s degree, a minimum number of training hours, and an examination to become certified. The minimum training required to become a massage therapist, on the other hand, varies greatly from state to state.