ABSTRACT
Residential treatment consists of various therapeutic activities that fall under the rubric of programming. Therapeutic programming is a core principle of residential treatment and care, and includes such categories as activities, life skills, community use, games, and sports. Therapeutic programming assists youngsters with their integration into treatment and transition from placement. Therapeutic programming helps youth to deal with unconscious material and to relieve tension. It also enlarges the youth’s interests. Therapeutic programming consists of structured and unstructured activities (Pazaratz, 1998b) Sometimes, staff members are highly involved in the planning of as well as participation in activities, which allow different emphases and meet the unique needs and interests of individual youth. Some activities do not include staff and can also be an individual effort. Activities can include or stimulate a range of skills and effort. They have the purpose of connecting youth to themselves and others to learn from experience (Swann & Pittman, 1977). This chapter explains the rationale and method of therapeutic activities and their connection to integrative practice.
