ATRA San Antonio : 2025 Session Descriptions

Patti Craig, Ph.D., CTRS/L, FDRT is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Craig is a NH licensed recreation therapist (CTRS/L) and is recognized by the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) as a Distinguished Fellow (FDRT) for her accomplishments within the field of recreational therapy.Dr. Craig’s mixed methods research focuses on the impact of therapeutic recreation (TR) interventions, adaptive sports, and health promotion programs on health and quality of life outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Her research also examines ways in which pedagogy, fieldwork education, and curriculum influence student learning and development in professional preparation programs. Dr. Craig’s work has been widely published in top journals, and she has presented extensively at national, regional, and local professional and research conferences, symposia, and seminars. Dr. Craig is actively engaged in ATRA, NART, and the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Dr. Craig collaborates on research, evaluation, and policy initiatives with colleagues in TR, recreation and leisure studies, adaptive sport and physical activity, public health, and military and veteran health. Dr. Craig’s work enhances the role of recreation, therapeutic recreation, adaptive sport and physical activity in public health and community development.

Jessie L. Bennett, PhD, CTRS/L is an Associate Professor at the University of New Hampshire in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy. She is the Co-Editor of the ATRA Annual. She received her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from Green Mountain College, her M.S. in Youth and Family Recreation from Brigham Young University, and her Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior from Indiana University. After completing her B.S., she worked as a recreational therapist (RT) for a residential rehabilitation center for children with developmental disabilities. During her M.S. and Ph.D., she worked as an RT with military service members with combat-related disabilities and their families. She has extensive clinical training as an RT, with most of her career working as an RT in adaptive sports programs for Veterans with disabilities. Employing primarily mixed methodologies, her research is focused on examining the outcomes of RT programs for Veterans with behavioral health disorders and/or physical disabilities.

Matthew S. Frye, M.S., CTRS/L is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire. With over two decades of experience in therapeutic recreation, he brings a practitioner-scholar perspective grounded in youth development, inclusive programming, and community health. Prior to joining the UNH faculty in 2016, Matt served as the founding program director of the TREK (Therapeutic Recreation Empowering Kids) program at Northeast Passage, where he led innovative, school-based interventions for children with disabilities. Matt teaches a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and graduate courses in therapeutic recreation and rec program and event planning, focusing on clinical documentation, treatment planning, and community-based service delivery. He is a frequent collaborator on statewide and municipal recreation planning efforts and has co-authored many technical reports for communities across New England. His scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications on sport participation among youth with disabilities and best practices in transition services, as well as externally funded research projects supported by the USDA Forest Service and the U.S. Department of State. A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and licensed practitioner in New Hampshire, Matt is actively engaged in national and regional professional service. He has served in leadership roles with the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), the NH Recreational Therapy Governing Board, and multiple state and regional recreation associations. He is committed to preparing future professionals through high-impact teaching, inclusive practice, and community-engaged scholarship.

Tye Thompson, M.S., CTRS/L (they/them) has over 30 years of experience as a recreational therapist in both inpatient behavioral health and community-based settings. As the Program Director for Northeast Passage Community-Based Recreational Therapy team, Tye is committed to expanding access to community-based RT services in both Veteran and Public Health sectors. Tye has collaborated on strategic improvements in documentation and messaging at Northeast Passage that have increased understanding of RT's value in NH, been instrumental in research efforts, and lead to enhanced reimbursement mechanisms and client access to services. Tye is passionate about continued deepening of RT expertise across the NEP clinical team and in the field to better support clients in moving towards greater health and well-being.

Molly Robinson, M.Ed., CTRS/L, brings nearly 4 decades of passionate recreational therapy experience alongside 15 years in special education. Dedicated to empowering individuals, Molly excels in both direct service and shaping impactful systems. Her expertise includes data-driven behavioral analysis and leadership in creating effective solutions including social-emotional learning initiatives, and systemic shifts in gender awareness and LGBTQ+ inclusion at the school district level. Currently, as a Program Director at Northeast Passage, Molly's curiosity and growth mindset drive her leadership of a team that creates adventurous, goal-oriented recreational therapy programs across multiple New Hampshire schools, emphasizing clear communication, purposeful intervention, and timely documentation as integral to this business model.