Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for Recreation Therapist Roles - 2026

Are you preparing for a job interview as a recreation therapist? Here are 20 of the latest and most commonly asked questions with expert answers to help you showcase your skills, experience, and cultural fit for the role.

General Questions

• 1. What inspired you to become a recreation therapist?
  This is a chance for you to share your personal motivation for pursuing this career and what drew you to it. Mention any experiences or influences that sparked your interest in this field.
• 2. What do you think sets you apart from other candidates for this position?
  Use this opportunity to highlight your unique skills, experience, and qualities that make you a strong fit for the role. Mention any specific achievements or projects that demonstrate your expertise and passion for recreation therapy.
• 3. How do you stay updated on the latest trends and research in the field of recreation therapy?
  As a recreation therapist, it's important to stay informed on the latest best practices and techniques in your field. Discuss your approach to continuous learning and mention any professional development or training you have completed.
• 4. Can you walk us through your previous experience working in a team setting?
  As a recreation therapist, you'll often be working in a team environment. Use a specific example to discuss how you contribute to a team and handle conflicts or challenges that may arise.
• 5. How do you handle difficult or resistant clients?
  Unfortunately, not all clients will be cooperative and receptive to therapy. Discuss your approach to handling these situations, including ways to build trust with resistant clients and handle potential conflicts with empathy and understanding.

Behavioral Questions

• 6. Can you tell us about a time when you had to adapt your treatment plan for a particular client?
  Adapting to each client's needs is essential in recreation therapy. Share an example of a time when you had to modify your approach or activities to better meet a client's needs and how it impacted their progress.
• 7. Describe a time when you had to manage a challenging situation with a client's family member.
  Family dynamics can be complex, and as a recreation therapist, you may have to navigate sensitive situations with clients' families. Share an experience where you effectively communicated with a client's family member, resolved conflicts, and maintained a positive relationship.
• 8. Have you ever faced a situation where you needed to make difficult decisions for a client's treatment plan?
  As a recreation therapist, you may need to make tough decisions for the best interest of your clients. Share an experience where you had to weigh multiple factors and make a difficult decision, discussing the outcome and how you handled any challenges that arose.
• 9. Can you tell us about a time when you successfully engaged and motivated a client to participate in an activity they were initially resistant to?
  Some clients may be hesitant to participate in certain activities, which can be a barrier to their therapy progress. Share a specific example of a time when you successfully motivated a client to engage in an activity they were initially reluctant to do and how it impacted their progress.
• 10. Describe a time when you had to deal with conflicting treatment suggestions from other healthcare providers on a client's care team.
  As a recreation therapist, you may be working closely with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to your clients. Share an experience where you had to navigate differences in treatment suggestions and successfully collaborate with other healthcare providers.

Situational Questions

• 11. Imagine that one of your clients is experiencing a behavioural issue during a group therapy session. How would you handle the situation?
  Use this opportunity to discuss your approach to handling challenging behaviours in a group setting. Mention any techniques or strategies you would use to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of all clients and staff.
• 12. How would you handle an emergency situation for a client during an activity?
  Medical emergencies can happen unexpectedly during recreation therapy activities. Discuss your approach to handling emergency situations, including first aid training or any protocols your workplace follows.
• 13. If a client repeatedly misses appointments, how would you handle the situation?
  Maintaining consistent attendance is crucial for a client's progress in recreation therapy. Discuss your approach to addressing missed appointments and helping clients understand the importance of attendance.
• 14. How would you handle a situation where a client is expressing suicidal thoughts?
  In the unfortunate event that a client expresses thoughts of self-harm, it's essential to handle the situation with empathy, care, and urgency. Discuss your approach to assessing and responding to a client's suicidal thoughts, including any safety protocols or reporting procedures.
• 15. How would you handle a situation where a client is exhibiting non-compliant or aggressive behaviour towards yourself or other clients?
  As a recreation therapist, you may have to deal with challenging behaviours from clients towards yourself or others. Share your approach to de-escalating these situations and ensuring everyone's safety and well-being.

Technical Questions

• 16. Can you explain the difference between therapeutic recreation and recreational therapy?
  Therapeutic recreation and recreational therapy are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences. Discuss the distinctions between these two approaches to recreation therapy and how they inform your practice.
• 17. What is your experience working with different populations and age groups in recreation therapy?
  Recreation therapists work with a diverse range of clients across various populations and age groups. Discuss your experience in this area and how you adapt your approach to meet the unique needs and abilities of each group.
• 18. Can you give us an example of a successful treatment plan you developed for a client?
  Use this opportunity to showcase your experience and expertise in developing effective treatment plans tailored to individual clients' needs. Discuss the process you followed and how you evaluated the plan's success.
• 19. What activities do you think are most beneficial for clients with physical limitations?
  As a recreation therapist, you may work with clients who have physical limitations. Share your insights into which activities are most beneficial and how you adapt them to accommodate clients' limitations.
• 20. How do you use technology in your work as a recreation therapist?
  Advancements in technology have made it possible for recreation therapists to incorporate digital tools into their practice. Discuss any experiences you have had using technology to enhance your clients' therapy experience and outcomes.