Helping Others HPR 450 Chapter 5

The Essence of TR/RT… Humanistic – people are essentially good; when given opportunities will choose wisely Holistic – whole person approach; persons take some responsibility for health Wellness – beyond ‘health;’ refers to mind and body; think ‘self-actualization’

TR Process/Service Models All concepts reviewed in class Process is typically APIE although some (Shank and Coyle) add ‘termination’ as final step Leisure Ability Ideal outcome is ‘leisure lifestyle’ Ideal outcome is ‘optimal health’

Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes Covered in HPR 451 but….it doesn’t hurt to go over this more than once! ALL TR should focus on outcomes, preferably measurable outcomes, regardless of setting If we don’t know where we are going, how can we plan to get there???? Much recreation programming can benefit from an outcome focus Ex: swimming lessons

Goals and Objectives - Differences and Similarities Goals are broader, take a long period of time to address Objectives are the steps toward reaching the goal (remember how task analysis related to activity analysis?) Both should be part of an individualized treatment plan Agencies may use one, the other, or both

Specific Behavioral Objectives 3 elements Behavior Condition Criteria Written to facilitate measurability

Behavioral Objectives - Examples In your ‘free’ time, practice writing these!! Joe will purchase (one can of Coke from the machine in the lobby of the HPR building) immediately after completing his workout. Without prompting from the therapist, Jane will actively participate in aerobics class (for the duration of the class) as assessed by the therapist.

One Guide to Writing Behavioral Objectives S pecific M easurable A ttainable R ealistic T imelined

TR/RT – A Helping Profession Helping – a characteristic of many personal relationships Professions that involve helping others include TR/RT; many medical and allied health professions; social work; psychology or psychiatry; teaching Others? What are some rewards of being a “professional helper?” What are some potential challenges?

Ideally, helpers should be… Genuine Accepting Empathetic Self Aware Communicative Ethical Role Model Are there situations where it would be hard to demonstrate these things?

Figure 5-1 Examples of the Professional Values of Recreational Therapists Health and Well-Being. Recreational therapists value assisting persons to achieve their optimal levels of health whether these persons are in normal health, or having an illness, disorder, or disability. All possess the potential for change. Control and Choice. Recreational therapists respect and promote the autonomy of clients so they may maintain control over their lives to the greatest degree possible and make informed choices. Client-Therapist Relationship. The client-therapist relationship is valued as a critical element in therapeutic recreation. The essential role of the recreational therapist is that of a catalyst who works in partnership with clients in order to help them be as self-directed as possible.

Figure 5-1 Examples of the Professional Values of Recreational Therapists (Cont.) Client Abilities and Strengths. Each client is seen as possessing abilities and intact strengths that may be used to meet client challenges. Clients can build strengths and abilities through participation in therapeutic recreation. Fun and Enjoyment. Fun and enjoyment are valued as motivators for client participation. People are motivated to take part in activities that are fun or enjoyable. Fun and enjoyment are positive emotions that open clients up to try new behaviors. Emphasis on Client. Therapeutic recreation is action oriented but the emphasis is always on the client as a person and not on the activity.

Figure 5-1 Examples of the Professional Values of Recreational Therapists (Cont.) Goal-Directed. Therapeutic recreation is valued for being purposeful and goal-directed. Being purposeful means having a plan, which implies choice making on the part of clients. Intrinsic Worth. Every client is valued as an individual possessing intrinsic worth who should be treated with dignity. Competent and Ethical Care. Recreational therapists value the ability to offer competent and ethical care and therefore meet their professional obligations to clients.

Table 5-1 Ethical Principles Autonomy- Self-governing Confidentiality- Right to control access to information Social-sexual Relations- Need to avoid social/sexual involvements with clients Professional Competence- Do not exceed levels of competence Nonmaleficence- Obligations not to harm others Beneficence- Promote well-being Veracity-Telling the truth Fidelity- Faithfulness; keeping promises Justice- Fairness in distributing services

What about me???? Knowing myself Meeting my personal needs Difference between ‘being with others’ (social person) and ‘helping others’ (helper) Where do my personal values fit in?

Ethics Confidentiality & Privacy – Disclose relevant info to those receiving services but not to 3rd parties Beneficence – Maximize benefits and minimize possible harm Professional Competence Doing things you are qualified to do Not doing things you are not qualified to do Maintain credentials and continually improve knowledge and skills Non-Maleficence – Use knowledge, skills, abilities and judgment to assist while respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm

More on Ethics Veracity – truthful and honest Fidelity – Loyal, faithful and meet commitments to clients and, secondly, to colleagues, agencies and the profession Justice – fairness and equity in provision of services Autonomy – Right of individuals or their qualified legal representatives to make choices, course of action and/or plan freely chosen Compliance with Laws and Regulations – Comply with local, state and federal laws and regulations

Multi-Culturalism, Diversity

A Challenge for TR Research demonstrates that TR/RT students are not necessarily being given coursework relating to multicultural awareness Different cultures = different values; different perceptions of recreation; different views of the individual, the family, society, etc.

Cultural Competence According to Blair & Coyle (2005) and Fowers & Davidov (2006) three elements make up cultural competence: Self-awareness – know what your values and preconceptions are Knowledge – knowing how bias may lead to (sometimes inadvertent) discrimination; knowing the cultural groups you may come into contact with Skills – combine awareness and knowledge into skillfully applied interventions and interactions to create a therapeutic relationship

Is multi-culturalism a valid concern? Should we be striving for commonalities and similarities rather than adjusting for differences? Is preservation of cultural values important in today’s world (Native Americans, etc.)? Whose values are the ‘right’ ones? How do we decide?

BURNOUT Tired of being the helper for everyone (family members, too!) Feeling of losing control, helplessness Too much stuff, too little time! Physical and emotional exhaustion

The Best Cure is Prevention….. Holistic perspective Focus on your wellness Self assessment (self – APIE) Support system Find your own “Therapeutic Recreation” Find humor in situations Give yourself a break (holiday, vacation, “mental health” day, etc.)