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.
Social Prescribing Movement: How Does it Interact with Recreational Therapy Practice?
Session Description
Social Prescribing is a relatively new movement in the US, but is well developed in the UK and Canada. Holz (2024) brought national attention to the movement in her book, The Connection Cure. Social prescribing is a "healthcare approach" that links individuals to activities in their communities to address social, physical, emotional needs, aiming to improve health and well-being. Using a human-centered design for discussion, this session will focus on the intersection of Recreational Therapy and Social Prescribing for a range of different populations. Moreover, discussion will lead to developing advocacy materials to inform the profession and key informants about RT as "link workers" in the social prescribing movement.
Learning Outcomes
1. Describe social prescribing as a movement and implications for Recreational Therapy practice.
2. Explain their own role as a stakeholder and how RT can best interact with this movement.
3. Name 3 concrete methods for advocating for the unique role that RT can play in this movement.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Behavioral Health
Business/Private Practice
Child and Adolescent
Community
Military/Veterans
Older Adults
Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine
Schools
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/29e5d1c22de8104f8b93690c7a4c31dc.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Betsy Kemeny, PhD, Slippery Rock University")
Betsy Kemeny, PhD, Slippery Rock University
Biographical Information
Betsy Kemeny is Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Certified Professional Gerontologist with 35 years of professional RT experience. Her work experiences have included outpatient rehabilitation, adult day, assisted living, hospice, and long-term care. Her scholarship includes more than 30 publications and 70 presentations. As Professor of the Recreational Therapy Program and Program Director at Slippery Rock University, she is also a fellow, distinguished in recreational therapy and the Past-President of the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART). Dr. Kemeny received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Wake Forest University, her master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. From 2014 to 2022, Dr. Kemeny served on the board of directors for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association as member at large, secretary, and President.
Co-Presenter/panelists
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c557787f7b55acdb25eae5d3cffc371b.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Dr. Dawn DeVries, American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and American Therapeutic Recreation Association")
Dr. Dawn DeVries, American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and American Therapeutic Recreation Association
Biographical Information
Dr. DeVries is a professor and program director of Recreational Therapy at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. She also serves as ATRA's Advocacy and Legislative Director. She has presented on social isolation and social prescribing, and is writing a manuscript on the topic as it relates to RT.