ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 2498

     Recognizing a title for recreational therapists.

Health Care Committee                            29 Janury 1998

Washington State House of Representatives

SPONSORS:  Representatives Cody and Dyer.

BACKGROUND:  Currently, persons practicing recreational therapy are not regulated as a health profession by the state.  Recreational therapy refers to the prescribed use of recreational and other activities, including counseling,  as treatment interventions to improve functional living competence of persons with physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and /or social disability.  The primary purpose of recreational therapy is to restore or rehabilitate persons in order to improve functioning and independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability.

The Omnibus Credentialing Act for Counselors requires the registration with the Department of Health of persons employing therapeutic techniques, for a fee, that assist individuals in the amelioration or adjustment of mental, emotional, or behavioral problems to achieve sensitivity awareness of self and others, and to develop human potential.  This act also encompasses the registration of hypnotherapists, and the certification of social workers, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists.

SUMMARY:  Persons practicing recreational therapy are required to register as counselors under state law.  Applicants may register as recreational therapists if employing recreational therapy as a modality.  The practice of recreational therapy is not to be construed as necessarily limited to counseling.