The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) is excited to announce “Radiant Minds: Nurturing Mental Health for All” as the theme for the 2024 Virtual Summit. "Radiant Minds: Nurturing Mental Health for All" will allow you to discover the latest insights and strategies for promoting mental and behavioral health and well-being, fostering resilience, and enhancing mental health for individuals of all backgrounds.
This summit brings together practitioners, experts, caregivers, clients, advocates, and researchers to explore the diverse facets of mental health, share innovative approaches, and ignite discussions aimed at building a brighter, more inclusive future for mental wellness. Don't miss this opportunity to engage and join with thought leaders and practitioners toward radiant minds and thriving communities.
This virtual event will run February 1 - 29, 2024 on ATRA's virtual learning platform. Additional sessions may be added so please check back regularly to view the program.
Best Practices for Recreational Therapy in Treating Patients in the LGBTQ+ Community
Session Length
60 minutes
Description
This session will focus on identifying the characteristics of the LGBTQIA+ community, the impact of stigma and biases on mental health affecting this community, current best practices in RT and recommendations for facilitation of appropriate interventions when treating patients who identify with the community to improve mental health outcomes.
Focus of Presentation
Research
Education
Community Involvement
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify 3 unique components of working with patients who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community
2. Identify 3 research areas related to the field of RT that will assist in advancing the field in providing equitable mental health interventions for this community
3. Describe how to implement 3 interventions that affirm and support the mental health needs of this community in practice
Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/70c4bfbf1d4893f2eb87916112973256.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Stefan Ellington, MA, CTRS, AIT, CARSS I, RYT-200, National Institues of Health")
Stefan Ellington, MA, CTRS, AIT, CARSS I, RYT-200, National Institues of Health
Biographical Statement
Stefan Ellington is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and master’s degree in Recreational Therapy from the University of Toledo. Prior to joining the NIH in early 2023, Stefan served as a Recreational Therapist with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Stefan has extensive professional experience with patients with multiple diagnoses across a variety of treatment settings including inpatient physical rehabilitation, behavioral health, hospice/palliative care and outpatient adaptive sports. Stefan primarily provides inpatient individualized treatment for adult medical patients at the Clinical Center and holds additional certifications as a yoga instructor, adaptive and inclusive fitness trainer and certified adaptive sports and recreation specialist. He is passionate about facilitation of quality patient-centered care, mentoring students, and advancing the profession through implementation of evidence-based interventions and support of research. His professional interests also include advancing inclusion and equity in treatment of patients in the LGBTQ+ population and intersecting identities and use of holistic treatment modalities to improve functional status.
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Co-Presenters
Whitney B. Wilson, MS, CTRS, National Institutes of Health
Biographical Statement
Whitney Wilson is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. Whitney has over 15 years of professional experience working with and advocating for individuals with mental health diagnoses and complex medical disorders.
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