Course

Valuing Diversity: Therapeutic Recreation and Mental Health

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Therapeutic Recreation
Course code
THRT 2307
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
In this introductory course, we explore concepts and skills necessary to work in the field of mental health, focusing on therapeutic recreation interventions. Topics will include examination of historical, contemporary and emerging perspectives of mental illness etiology, treatment and support; national and provincial mental health and addiction strategies; current models for the classification and treatment of illness; and strengths based therapeutic recreation best practices.
Course content

Course content is guided by research, empirical knowledge and best practice. The following values and principles, consistent with professional standards, will inform course content.

  • Therapeutic Recreation service promotes recovery-focused care with individuals living with mental health and substance use.
  • Historical treatment of individuals with mental illness devalued and isolated individuals and limited treatment and recovery.
  • Challenging our personal values, attitudes and beliefs will inform and influence our interactions with individuals living with mental health issues.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the major classifications of mental illness using both the DSM 5 and ICD 10 increases competence of the TR practitioners and enriches interdisciplinary team contributions.
  • Advocating for the rights of all individuals is central to therapeutic recreation professional standards of practice.
  • Understanding service systems nationally, provincially and locally in health authorities and in other community-based services provides context for the delivery of TR services within systems.
  • Building leisure and recreation life skills increases individuals' capacity to engage in meaningful and challenging activity; develops personal networks and wellbeing and increases opportunity for community engagement.
  • Self- expression, self-determination and self-efficacy is enhanced when individuals have a personal leisure identity.
  • Using person-centered and strengths based approaches supports the inherent capacity and resiliency of individuals.
  • Developing leadership and facilitation skills in the classroom increases skills and competence and allows for knowledge transfer in practice.

 

Learning activities

In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, discussion, group work, case studies, team-based exercises, and community experiences.

 

Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a graded course.

Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:

  • Testing
  • Written assignments
  • Presentations
  • Creative arts 

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of a student’s grade performance.  Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor’s course outline and allowed for in the course curriculum guideline.

This course may have an assignment that has been identified as part of the TR Department Research Framework and therefore the assignment must be passed at a minimum of a C (60%) level in order for a student to achieve a C (60%) final grade in the course. Each course outline will clearly identify these research framework assignments if relevant.

All students in the Therapeutic Recreation program, both diploma and degree students, are required to attain a minimum of 60% (C letter grade) in all courses utilized for credit towards a diploma and/or degree in Therapeutic Recreation in order to progress in the program.

 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Recognize past and present societal attitudes towards mental illness and substance use and demonstrate sensitive ways to challenge personal and societal beliefs.
  2. Explain mental health care service in Canada and B.C. and within local health authorities articulating the differences between community-based psychosocial rehabilitation programs, hospitals, crisis centres and forensic services.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the bio psychosocial (medical, psychological, social, environmental) causes of mental illness.
  4. Explain mental health/illness using a working knowledge of the major diagnostic categories in DSM 5 and ICD 10.
  5. Describe best practice treatment models and approaches including: psychotherapeutic, preventive, harm reduction, CBT approaches, and recovery care.
  6. Articulate the therapeutic recreation process in engagement, relationship building, assessment, implementation and follow up with clients.
  7. Demonstrate creative and expressive arts interventions.

 

Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students.  A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester.

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

A minimum of 60% (C letter grade) in THRT 1101

 

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for THRT 2307
Simon Fraser University (SFU) No credit
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV KIN_V 2nd (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC EPHE 2XX (1.5)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
21:20
Section notes

This course is restricted to TR students enrolled in the Online TR Diploma program. This course will include a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online activities. Students should plan to be available online at scheduled course times. The course schedule will be available the first day of class.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2081
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

This course is restricted to TR students enrolled in the In Person TR Diploma or TR Degree program.