Pivoting from a Rehabilitation Assistant to a Therapeutic Recreation student at Douglas College, Michelle Addison is dedicated to blending creativity with care. With six years of experience working with older adults, Michelle channels her passion for therapeutic recreation into hands-on learning, innovative caregiver research and versatile, client-centered care. 

By Tanta Siriporn Na Rajasima, Marketing and Communications

Michelle Addison has always been drawn to helping others. Her introduction to healthcare came unexpectedly when some family members underwent intense treatment at G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Center, sparking a passion that first led her to pursue a Rehabilitation Assistant Diploma program at Capilano University. 

After graduating from Capilano University, Michelle worked closely with Recreational Therapists in a long-term care facility, where she discovered the world of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) and saw firsthand its positive impact on patients’ lives. “While I loved working in rehab, providing care from a Therapeutic Recreation perspective offers more room for professional growth and creativity. It allows me to create and implement my own TR programs that are tailored to clients.” 

Inspired to create personalized care that truly resonates with each individual’s needs, goals and interests, Michelle applied for a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation at Douglas College. “I’ve worked with Douglas TR grads and students in the past. Hearing their positive experiences in the program and seeing them excel as Recreational Therapists encouraged me to apply.” 

Experiencing the true Therapeutic Recreation at Douglas College 

Michelle’s experience in the TR program has taken a lot of dedication and hard work but has also been very enjoyable. “The program is incredibly interactive and hands-on, which really prepares us to offer real benefits to our future clients,” she shares. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects designed to improve health and well-being through recreation, from inclusive leisure practice, community development and leisure counselling. 

“A Recreation Therapist will have to wear many hats when it comes to leisure interventions,” Michelle says. “Each individual is different and not every TR approach will be the same. At Douglas, we’re taught to base and adapt activities to client goals, needs and interests.” 

Besides the curriculum, what Michelle enjoys most is the supportive cohort structure. “Being in supportive cohorts has been one of my favourite parts,” she says, highlighting the small class sizes that foster strong bonds among peers. “I’ve made great friends, and I’m excited to call them my future colleagues.” 

Leveraging classroom learnings to impactful research  

Through the TR program, Michelle not only strengthened her sense of community but also deepened her interest in research, eventually leading her to present at the British Columbia Therapeutic Recreation Association’s (BCTRA) student research night – an event organized by TR faculty to showcase student projects to BCTRA members. 

Her research stems from interacting with the adult day respite program that runs within the long-term care facility where she currently works. She noticed a lack of research on the relationship between respite services and caregivers’ well-being, so she decided to study how adult day programs benefit informal caregivers of individuals with mild to moderate dementia. “Adult day programs provide caregivers with short breaks that enable them to engage in other activities and self-care,” Michelle explains.  

Her findings revealed that these programs drastically reduce caregiver stress and improve their psychological health. “Caregivers often experience negative health outcomes due to their responsibilities. My research showed that quality adult day programs with well-trained staff can alleviate these stresses and guilt,” she says. “That, in turn, can provide a mutual benefit that fosters nurturing care toward their loved ones.” 

Michelle’s research is invaluable to fellow practitioners, emphasizing the importance of following the Therapeutic Recreation process and utilizing appropriate models to develop effective programs. “This study underscored the significance of delivering quality care that benefits both caregivers and their loved ones,” Michelle concludes. 

Beneath the shallow stereotype of being “just for fun” lies a complex profession that blends purpose and play. As Michelle’s research shows, the value of Therapeutic Recreation goes far beyond just a pastime.

Closing the gaps in the future of therapeutic recreation 

Going into her fourth year of the TR program, Michelle is now equipped with new goals shaped by her research findings. She aims to work in a rehabilitation facility within a public health authority, hoping to combine her Rehabilitation Assistant skills with her new expertise in Therapeutic Recreation. 
 
Despite her efforts to promote Therapeutic Recreation, Michelle is aware that challenges lie ahead in her future line of work. “TR is still a relatively new field in healthcare. We need to clearly communicate its worth to clients, caregivers, colleagues and employers. We must be our own advocates,” she says. “Therapeutic Recreation is not only fun, but it also has significant benefits. Explaining these benefits and the purpose behind our work is one of our goals.” 

As she pursues this goal, Michelle carries forward an essential lesson from the TR program: the importance of self-care. “You can’t pour from an empty cup. You must take care of yourself before you can effectively support others,” she stresses. For Michelle, this means balancing her busy schedules, ensuring she remains energized and always ready to jump on whatever is coming next. 

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Learn more about the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation and Therapeutic Diploma programs at Douglas College.