BCTRA was formed as a governing body to represent Recreation Therapists and their practice within the province of British Columbia. Therapeutic Recreation intervention is provided by trained professionals in clinical and/or community settings.

Therapeutic Recreation is a process that utilizes treatment, education and recreation participation to enable persons with physical, cognitive, emotional and/or social limitations to acquire and/or maintain the skills, knowledge and behaviours that will allow them to enjoy their leisure optimally, function independently with the least amount of assistance and participate as fully as possible in society.