2025 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions
October 18–20, 2025 | San Antonio, TX
The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2025 ATRA Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.
For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance
For information on our Bonus Day at Morgan's Sports on Friday October 17th, please visit: ATRA San Antonio Bonus Day: Morgan's Sports
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC approval is currently pending. Please check back for updates prior to the conference.
Note: Poster presentations may be eligible for CEUs in 2025. Final determinations will be reflected once CEU approvals are finalized.
For questions related to specialty certification areas, please refer to the PDF version of the program for designation icons and CEU-eligible sessions.
Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.
Note on Non-ATRA Activities:
Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA San Antonio program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.
The impact of stress and trauma on quality of life; and the opportunity to offer healing through evidence-based Recreational Therapy
Session Description
According to the APA (2023) stress is rising at a significant level in our county leading to an increase in chronic illness, increasing rates of anxiety and depression, and limiting the autonomy for individuals to take action in their community and lives (Fogelman, et al., 2022). In this session we will review the data to better understand this phenomenon while also exploring how we can work within our scope of practice to help clients across the lifespan and across diverse patient populations heal (APA, 2023; Flynn, et al, 2023). We will explore how Recreational Therapists can identify trauma responses, and develop EBP interventions to offer trauma informed, healing interventions to clients across the lifespan. By delivering nature-based, therapeutic art, and psychosocial education interventions rooted in mindfulness, Recreational Therapists can offer clients functional tools to increase self-awareness, coping strategies, and resilience to heal (Eichner, 2022).
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the session participants will be able to identify:
3 negative health outcomes linked to trauma and stress
3 trauma responses clients can exhibit
3 EBP Recreational Therapy interventions to utilize for individuals across the lifespan and across diverse populations served by Recreational Therapists
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Child and Adolescent
Community
Military/Veterans
Older Adults
Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![Dr. Holly A Eichner, PhD, CTRS-BH, UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO [photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/898c8ce3f791371944a088aea4e9c98a.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50)
Dr. Holly A Eichner, PhD, CTRS-BH, UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
Biographical Information
Dr. Eichner has been a CTRS for 25 years. Her education includes a philosophical doctorate in Educational Psychology, a certificate in Peace Education, a master’s in Recreation and Leisure Studies, and baccalaureate degree in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Psychology. Dr. Eichner is the Director of the Recreational Therapy Program at the University of Toledo, an Experiential Therapist with Charlie Health, and owner of Mindful Healing Recreational Therapy Services, LLC. Past clinical experience includes working with individuals across the life span with a focus on mental health and wellness. She has presented at national and local conferences on topics such as, Recreational Therapy, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, mindfulness, Bibliotherapy, recovery, patient education, and the use of evidence-based practice. She is a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention Instructor (seated and standing), a certified Nature Interpreter, a Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Facilitator, and an avid Metropark Toledo volunteer.