31204 – Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment

Lead statement

Recreational therapists implement treatment plans by carrying out specialized therapy sessions employing approaches and techniques such as recreational, sports or other movement therapy.

Main duties

• Assess patients and review reports from physicians, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, counsellors, teachers and other professionals to determine patients' capabilities and needs.
• Prepare individualized and group treatment plans either independently or through a multidisciplinary team approach, based on health concerns and on recommendations from physicians or other health professionals
• Design and carry out specialized therapy sessions employing techniques such as art, athletic, dance, music or recreational therapy or remedial gymnastics to meet specific physical or psychological needs of patients
• Co-ordinate, initiate, design and implement specialized therapy programs for the general patient population and in the community
• Advise patients on how to deal with their mental and physical abilities and help them integrate into the community
• Observe, analyze and record, patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions and consult with other health care professionals to evaluate and modify treatment plans as needed
• May conduct research in therapeutic recreation.
• Assess clients to determine their current and potential functioning level and to aid in the development of individualized recovery or rehabilitation programs
• Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation
• Implement therapeutic programs by employing approaches and techniques such as exercise, sports or other movement therapy
• Instruct clients on techniques to rehabilitate physical injuries or improve physical performance
• Observe, record observations and analyze clients during treatment sessions, write progress reports and consult with other health professionals to evaluate and modify treatment plans as required
• May advise clients regarding health promotion and injury prevention, management and treatment
• May conduct research in respective field of specialization.

Employment requirements

• Recreational therapists usually require a bachelor's degree in recreation with a specialization in therapeutic recreation.
• Certification for recreational therapists is available through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
• Supervised practical training is usually required for occupations in this unit group.
• Certification or membership with the appropriate national professional association or provincial counterpart may be required.
• Kinesiologists require a four-year bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, physical education or human kinetics.
• Certification for kinesiologists is available through the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance.
• Registration with a regulatory body is required for kinesiologists in Ontario.
• Exercise physiologists usually require a four-year bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, exercise physiology, exercise sciences or human kinetics.
• Certification for exercise physiologists is available through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.
• Athletic therapists require a bachelor's degree in sport therapyora degree in health sciences with a specialization in sports injury management.
• Certification for athletic therapists is available through the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association.

Example job titles

athletic therapist · certified athletic therapist (CAT) · therapeutic recreationist · recreational therapist · remedial therapist · exercise therapist · registered kinesiologist · certified kinesiologist · kinesiologist

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.