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ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

October 17–19, 2026

The Embassy Suites, Brea, California

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions

October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA

The following session descriptions represent the planned educational program for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, session content, presenters, schedules, and locations remain subject to change.

For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance

Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending for all sessions for CEUs.

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 SoCal 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.

Mapping the Field: A 20-Year Bibliometric Analysis to Inform Knowledge Dissemination and Practice of Recreational Therapy (2005–2025)

Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM–11:00 AM PDT
Ballroom
Session Description

Recreational Therapy (RT) scholarship has expanded significantly over the past two decades, yet questions remain regarding how effectively this growing body of evidence is disseminated and translated into practice. This session presents findings from a 20-year hybrid bibliometric and content analysis (2005–2025) designed to map the structure, trends, and gaps within RT research and to inform future knowledge dissemination strategies. Drawing on over 24,000 publications indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, this study integrates quantitative bibliometric mapping (publication trends, keyword co-occurrence, and collaboration networks) with qualitative content analysis (populations served, practice settings, intervention modalities, outcomes, and theoretical frameworks). Findings highlight areas of growth—including mindfulness-based interventions, adaptive sport, and digital health—alongside persistent gaps in community-based practice, lifespan approaches, equity-focused research, and theory integration. Beyond identifying trends, this session explicitly examines how knowledge is produced and disseminated within the RT field, including patterns of scholarly communication, accessibility of evidence, and implications for knowledge translation. These findings are positioned within a broader effort to strengthen the research-to-practice pipeline. Importantly, this session is part of a paired set of presentations. A complementary session will present findings from a national RT practitioner survey examining how professionals access, interpret, and apply research in practice. Together, these sessions offer a multi-level perspective on how evidence is generated, disseminated, and utilized, providing critical insight into alignment—and misalignment—across the profession.

Learning Outcomes

1) Synthesize major trends and thematic patterns in Recreational Therapy research over a 20-year period using bibliometric and content analysis approaches, 2) Critically examine gaps in the RT evidence base, including populations, practice settings, and theoretical integration Assess how knowledge dissemination patterns influence the accessibility and application of research in practice, 3) Integrate insights from research production and dissemination to inform evidence-informed practice, program development, and professional decision-making, 4) Identify opportunities to strengthen knowledge translation and align future research with practitioner needs.

Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply

All

Target Audience
Students
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals

Primary Presenter

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Christina J Coleman, PhD, CTRS, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Biographical Information

Christina J. Coleman, PhD, CTRS, is an Assistant Professor in Recreation Management and Recreational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Her research focuses on recreational therapy, inclusive leisure, and community-based well-being for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. Dr. Coleman’s work integrates large-scale data analysis, evidence-informed practice, and knowledge translation to strengthen the connection between research and practice in recreational therapy. She collaborates across academic, clinical, and community settings to advance equitable and accessible health and wellness initiatives.

Co-Presenter/Panelists

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Ashley Bowen, University of Utah
Credentials

PhD, MTRS, CTRS

Biographical Information

Ashley Bowen, PhD, MTRS, CTRS, is an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) in Occupational and Recreational Therapies at the University of Utah. Her work focuses on recreational therapy practice, professional education, and the application of evidence-informed approaches to support health and well-being across diverse populations. Dr. Bowen brings extensive clinical and teaching experience to her role, emphasizing student preparation, applied learning, and the integration of theory into practice. She is committed to advancing the recreational therapy profession through education, mentorship, and practice-based scholarship.

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Alicia Pola, Arizona State University
Credentials

PhD, MS, CCLS, CTRS

Biographical Information

Alicia Pola, PhD, CTRS, CCLS, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Arizona State University. Her work blends recreation therapy, storytelling, and the power of community to create culturally responsive and authentic learning spaces. Passionate about equity and social justice, she explores how leisure, recreation, play, and health shape well-being. Alicia’s teaching and practice amplify diverse voices, foster dialogue, and promote inclusive models of service delivery, to meet community needs with creativity, compassion, and purpose.

[photo]
Chad Romoser, Kean University
Credentials

PhD, CTRS

Biographical Information

Chad Romoser, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the College of Health Professions and Human Services at Kean University. His research focuses on the usability and impact of virtual reality (VR) applications on health and well-being, particularly in university and clinical populations. Dr. Romoser’s work examines how commercially available VR technologies influence stress, mood, and therapeutic outcomes, with an emphasis on practical application in recreational therapy settings. He also contributes to research on community-based interventions, including programs supporting individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

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