Recreational Therapist Health Professionals
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Recreational therapists offer treatment to persons who have behavioural disorders or conditions. They use techniques and interventions such as art, music, animals and dance to promote, maintain and restore the development and health of the patient.
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Where Do I Start?
Develop A Collaborative Therapeutic Relationship
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Recreational Therapist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialDevelop A Collaborative Therapeutic Relationship skill
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialListen Actively skill
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Healthcare User Data Confidentiality skill
Comply with and maintain the confidentiality of healthcare users` illness and treatment information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Health Education skill
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess The Patient's Therapeutic Needs skill
Observe and assess the patient`s behaviour, attitudes and emotions in order to understand if and how their therapeutic needs can be met with a specific kind of therapy, collecting and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of {{ profession.optional_skills|length }} displayed)
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OptionalEating Disorders knowledge
The various types, pathophysiology and psychology of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorders and how they can be treated.
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OptionalCognitive Psychology knowledge
The human mental processes such as attention, memory, language use, perception, problem solving, creativity and thinking.
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Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence and Cognitive Neuroscience -
OptionalGeriatrics knowledge
Geriatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
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OptionalHealth Care Occupation-Specific Ethics knowledge
The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.
Recommended Books
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OptionalBehavioural Therapy knowledge
The characteristics and foundations of behavioural therapy, which focuses on changing patients` unwanted or negative behaviour. It involves studying the present behaviour and the means by which this can be …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalHuman Psychological Development knowledge
The human psychological development across the lifespan, theories of personality development, cultural and environmental influences, human behavior, including developmental crises, disability, exceptional behavior, and addictive behavior.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalTheory Of Art Therapy knowledge
The art therapy history and theory, events, and practitioners, and the development of art therapy as a distinct therapeutic practice, the overview of psychotherapy theories relevant to art therapy, theories …
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OptionalVictimology knowledge
The relationships between victims and perpetrators, the frequency of victimization and the psychological effects it has on the victim.
Recommended Books
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OptionalCognitive Behavioural Therapy knowledge
The solution-focused approach to treating mental disorders oriented towards solving problems by teaching new information-processing skills and coping mechanisms.
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OptionalAnimal Therapy knowledge
The involvement of animals in a treatment in order to improve the social, emotional or cognitive functioning of the patient.
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OptionalSexology knowledge
The characteristics and evolution of human sexual activity, sexual orientation and the sexual relationship for various group types such as teenagers, elderly or disabled people.
Recommended Books
1 book{{ skill.books|length|pluralize }}The Sexual Evolution -
OptionalAnthropology knowledge
The study of development and behaviour of human beings.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAutism knowledge
The characteristics, causes, symptoms and diagnosis of the neurodevelopmental disorder affecting social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviour.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalDance Therapy knowledge
The implementation of dance in a therapeutic treatment in order to improve the self-esteem and body image of the patient.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalHealth Care Legislation knowledge
The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychopharmacology knowledge
The awareness of various effects that medicines have on the patient or client's behaviour, mood and thinking.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalFine Arts knowledge
The theory and techniques required to compose, produce and perform works of visual arts as drawing, painting, sculpture and other art forms.
Recommended Books
1 book{{ skill.books|length|pluralize }}A Graphic Guide to Art Therapy -
OptionalPeer Group Methods knowledge
The techniques relevant for peer group education, where each member is encouraged to express or exchnage a particular type of behaviour or piece of information.
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OptionalPsychoanalysis knowledge
The types of psychoanalytic theories and techniques that relate to the unconscious mental processes
Recommended Books
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OptionalDisability Types knowledge
The nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled people.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalHuman Physiology knowledge
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalNeurology knowledge
Neurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPaediatrics knowledge
Paediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPedagogy knowledge
The discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPhilosophy knowledge
The different philosophical systems, their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices and their impact on human culture.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychology knowledge
The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychosociology knowledge
The implications related to how an individual is behaving, depending on the group to which the individual belongs to and how this influences him/her.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalRelaxation Techniques knowledge
The various methods and techniques used to alleviate stress and bring peace and relaxation to the body and mind. This includes activities such as yoga, qigong or t`ai chi.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalSociology knowledge
The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalReflexion knowledge
The way to listen to individuals, to summarise the major points and clarify what they are feeling in order to help them reflect on their behaviour.
Recommended Books
1 book{{ skill.books|length|pluralize }}Recreational Therapy Assessment -
OptionalMedical Studies knowledge
The basics and terminology of medical studies.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalMusic Therapy Processes knowledge
The development stage of a music therapy process which includes receiving patients referred to from healthcare professionals, educational professionals, completing an assessment through the study of medical or education records, …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychoacoustics knowledge
The characteristics of sound perception from music or speech and their psychological effects on the individual`s hearing.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychopathology knowledge
The criteria of psychiatric diagnoses, the use of the disease classification system, and the theories of psychopathology. The indicators of functional and organic disorders and the types of psychopharmacological medications.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychotherapy Principles knowledge
The fundamental principles and methods applied in psychotherapy to explore and resolve distressing behaviour or feelings.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalTypes Of Music Therapies knowledge
The different types of music therapies such as active, receptive and functional music therapy.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAccept Own Accountability skill
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdhere To Organisational Guidelines skill
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Healthcare Users' Informed Consent skill
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Context Specific Clinical Competences skill
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Health Sciences skill
Apply a broad range of bio-medical, psycho-social, organisational, educational, and societal aspects of health, disease, and healthcare to improve healthcare services and to improve quality of life.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Organisational Techniques skill
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Risk Management In Sports skill
Manage the environment and athletes or participants to minimise their chances of suffering any harm. This includes checking appropriateness of venue and equipment and gathering relevant sport and health history …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCommunicate Effectively In Healthcare skill
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalComply With Legislation Related To Health Care skill
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalComply With Quality Standards Related To Healthcare Practice skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalContribute To Continuity Of Health Care skill
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalControl Animal Movement skill
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDance skill
Perform in artistic productions of differents disciplines such as classical ballet, modern dance, contemporary dance, early dance, ethnic dance, folk dance, acrobatic dances and street dance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDeal With Emergency Care Situations skill
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEducate On The Prevention Of Illness skill
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEmpathise With The Healthcare User skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEmploy Foreign Languages For Health-Related Research skill
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEmploy Foreign Languages In Care skill
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Proper Appointment Administration skill
Set up a proper procedure to manage appointments, including policies related to cancellation and nonappearance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Safety Of Healthcare Users skill
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInform Policy Makers On Health-Related Challenges skill
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Healthcare Users' Data skill
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOrganise Relapse Prevention skill
Help the patient or client identify and anticipate high risk situations or external and internal triggers. Support them in developing better coping strategies and back-up plans in case of future …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPromote Inclusion skill
Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRecord Healthcare Users' Progress Related To Treatment skill
Record the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRefer Healthcare Users skill
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRespond To Changing Situations In Health Care skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse E-Health And Mobile Health Technologies skill
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork In A Multicultural Environment In Health Care skill
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork In Multidisciplinary Health Teams skill
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Work-Related Reports skill
Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Art Therapy Interventions skill
Treat children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in inpatient, outpatient, partial treatment programs, and aftercare with art therapy interventions, to explore verbal, behavioral, and artistic communication, treatment planning, treatment approaches …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Music Therapy Assessment Methods skill
Apply specific music therapy procedures and methods for client evaluation and possible preliminary diagnosis.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Music Therapy Methods skill
Apply existing music therapy methods, techniques, materials, and equipment in line with the patient`s therapeutic needs and the treatment plan already created.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Music Therapy Treatment Methods skill
Use various active and receptive intervention techniques in music therapy such as singing, playing instruments, improvising or rhythmic based experiences.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Psychoanalysis skill
Conduct psychoanalysis on patients, focusing on unconscious forces that can have a negative effect on their psychological well-being.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Related Sciences To Music Therapy skill
Use psychological or sociological elements in delivering music therapy.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssess Art Therapy Sessions skill
Evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy sessions to aid the planning of subsequent sessions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssess Music Therapy Sessions skill
Review and assess music therapy sessions to monitor their effectiveness and to facilitate the planning of any subsequent sessions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop A Repertoire For Music Therapy Sessions skill
Develop and maintain a repertoire of music for music therapy according to age, culture and stylistic differences.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDiagnose Mental Disorders skill
Formulate a diagnosis for people with a variety of issues and mental disorders, ranging from short-term personal and emotional problems to severe, chronic mental conditions, recognising and critically evaluating any …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEncourage Healthcare User's Self-Monitoring skill
Encourage the healthcare user to engage in self-monitoring by conducting situational and developmental analyses on him- or herself. Assist the healthcare user to develop a degree of self-critique and self-analysis …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Patient Trauma skill
Assess the competences, needs, and limitations of people affected by trauma, referring the patients to specialised trauma services where appropriate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIdentify Patients' Behaviours skill
Analyse and identify patient`s functional and dysfunctional behaviours.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalObserve Healthcare Users skill
Observe healthcare users and record significant conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents, notifying a supervisor or physician when required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlan Music Therapy Sessions skill
Make a treatment plan, outlining possible strategies and musical experiences that might be helpful in meeting the patient`s needs, setting clear goals for the patients to achieve and agreeing on …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPractice Gestalt Therapy skill
Use gestalt therapy techniques such as the empty chair technique and the exaggeration exercise in individual or group settings in the shape of creative exercises and experiments, aiming to make …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrepare Treatment Plan For Art Therapy skill
Make a treatment plan outlining possible art therapy strategies such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage with patients ranging from young children to the elderly, looking for forms of art …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRecognise Patients' Reaction To Therapy skill
Respond to significant changes, patterns and dangers in the patient's response to therapy.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRecord Treated Patient's Information skill
Record information accurately relating to the progress of the patient during therapy sessions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTake Referred Patients skill
Take referred patients, including self-referred ones and referrals from other professionals such as teachers, psychologists, therapists and psychiatrists.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Art In A Therapeutic Setting skill
Work creatively with various groups of patients in a therapeutic setting.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With Healthcare Users' Social Network skill
Get involved with the friends, families and other relevant actors important for the client or patient being treated, under the conditions of confidentiality and transparency.
Course recommendations coming soon.