CTRS Student Intern Therapeutic Recreation

CTRS Student Internship

Hickory Trail Hospital, a 86-bed behavioral health facility located just south of Dallas (Desoto, TX), has been providing quality health care to the residents of DFW since 1988. Hickory Trail Hospital provides inpatient and day treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and senior adults. Our professional staff individualizes care to uniquely fit the intensity and severity of each client's case and their family's needs. Because crisis occurs at all times of the day and night, our services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Are you ready to turn your passion for recreation and helping others into a meaningful career? Hickory Trail Hospital is excited to offer a CTRS Student Internship for students pursuing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation or a related field. This hands-on learning opportunity allows interns to work alongside experienced Recreation and Activity Therapists in a dynamic inpatient behavioral health setting, gaining valuable clinical experience while making a positive impact on the lives of adolescents and adults. As a CTRS Student Intern, you'll learn how therapeutic recreation and leisure-based interventions can help individuals build coping skills, improve social functioning, increase self-esteem, and support their overall recovery journey. This internship is designed to help students develop the skills and confidence needed to become future leaders in behavioral health and recreational therapy.

What You'll Experience:

• Observe and assist with the planning and facilitation of therapeutic recreation groups and activities.
• Gain exposure to a variety of behavioral health populations and treatment modalities.
• Learn how recreation and leisure interventions support patient treatment goals and emotional wellness.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of therapists, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Participate in patient engagement activities that promote coping skills, communication, teamwork, and recovery.
• Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced CTRS professionals in a supportive learning environment.

Who Should Apply:

• Students currently enrolled in an accredited Therapeutic Recreation (CTRS) or related degree program.
• Individuals seeking an internship or clinical placement required for graduation or board certification eligibility.
• Passionate, creative, and compassionate students interested in behavioral health and patient-centered care.
• Strong communication skills and a desire to learn in a fast-paced, collaborative healthcare environment.

About Universal Health Services:

One of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues during 2025 were $17.4 billion. In 2026, UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World's Most Admired Companies and in 2025, was listed in Forbes ranking of America's Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 101,500 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 40 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

EEO Statement:

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.

Notice:

At UHS and all subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates with matching skillset and experience with the best possible career at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating a highly efficient and best in class candidate experience. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. The recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail etc. If you feel suspicious of a job posting or job-related email, let us know by contacting us at or View phone number on click.appcast.io.