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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.
Connecting Practice: Exploring the ATRA Scope of Practice in Recreational Therapy
Session Description
This session provides a comprehensive exploration of the ATRA Scope of Practice in Recreational Therapy, emphasizing the professional roles and responsibilities that guide ethical and effective service delivery. Presenters will describe how the scope of practice was shaped by credentialing standards, professional competencies, recreational therapists, and evidence-based practice. Emphasis on the sequential process, specific steps, and distinct phases utilized in the developments of the Scope will be identified. The session will also focus on how recreational therapists can apply the ATRA Scope of Practice to guide decision-making, ensure ethical and competent service delivery, and advocate for their role within interdisciplinary teams. Through applied examples and case scenarios, attendees will gain practical strategies for using scope of practice as an advocacy tool to strengthen professional identity, support appropriate intervention selection, and communicate the value of recreational therapy across settings. This session is designed for all recreational therapy professionals, students, and educators.
Learning Outcomes
1. Verbalize the definition of the ATRA Scope of Practice in Recreational Therapy and explain its key components, including roles, responsibilities, and uses. 2. Verbalize the steps and phases taken to develop the recreational therapy scope of practice, including the role of professional organizations, credentialing standards, and evolving evidence-based practices. 3. Apply the ATRA Scope of Practice as an advocacy tool to promote recreational therapy to supervisors, administrators, and decision makers.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
All
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/3553/profile_f3604b2c80a8330c32085da1cac6f507.png "Allie Thomas, PhD, CTRS, Texas State University")
Allie Thomas, PhD, CTRS, Texas State University
Biographical Information
Dr. Allie Thomas is a scholar–practitioner advancing innovative therapeutic and outdoor recreation programs that support individuals with disabilities, youth engaged in health-risk behaviors, and participants across the lifespan. Her work integrates adaptive sport, outdoor recreation, and community-based programming to promote resilience, health, and meaningful leisure engagement. At Texas State University, she leads high-impact, service-learning and experiential education initiatives that connect recreational therapy students with community partners. These include the Rebound Program for youth in disciplinary alternative education settings, All for Fun and Fun for All with the City of San Marcos, Ranch Day in collaboration with Rehab Without Walls for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, and adaptive aquatics programming for youth with disabilities. Dr. Thomas brings extensive undergraduate and graduate teaching experience, emphasizing student-centered learning, applied skill development, and evidence-based practice. She is committed to preparing future professionals through immersive, real-world learning environments and interprofessional collaboration. Her dedication to teaching excellence is supported by significant professional development, including participation in the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) Effective Teaching Practice Framework Certification Course, which informs her inclusive, engaging, and outcomes-driven instructional approach. Her scholarship explores adaptive sport, outdoor and adventure-based interventions, and interprofessional collaboration in recreational therapy. Through this work, Dr. Thomas advances evidence-based practices that leverage recreation and outdoor experiences to build resilience, support recovery, and foster inclusive health and wellness opportunities for diverse populations.
Co-Presenter/Panelists
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66528a6bbe1d80e08e421f0f0541dc38.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Kaitlin Mueller, Slippery Rick University")
Kaitlin Mueller, Slippery Rick University
Credentials
Kaitlin Mueller, Ph.D., LRT, CTRS
Biographical Information
Dr. Kaitlin Mueller is an assistant professor of Recreational Therapy at Slippery Rock University. She worked as a recreational therapist in sub-acute rehabilitation and geripsych before obtaining her advanced practice RT degrees to become a professor. She has been educating recreational therapy students for over 8 years at three different institutions. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of students into the profession while rejuvenating seasoned practitioners with new tools to serve their clients!
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7eb43d7e60cc559da707ab1c2d30f533.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Brent Wolfe, ATRA Executive Director, Univeristy of North Carolina Greensboro")
Brent Wolfe, ATRA Executive Director, Univeristy of North Carolina Greensboro
Credentials
PhD, LRT, CTRS, FDRT
Biographical Information
Brent D. Wolfe, PhD, LRT, CTRS, FDRT is the Executive Director for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and an Associate Professor in the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Dr. Wolfe has more than 25 years of experience in the RT profession as a practitioner, researcher and educator. Professionally, he has served on the boards of Camp Blue Skies, the National Therapeutic Recreation Society and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. His research interests include leadership, team building, volunteering, adults with developmental disabilities, and adaptive sports.
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/30c3ed0de33fd5ec1d39013b38160f3d.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Derek Whaley, University of North Carolina Wilmington")
Derek Whaley, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Credentials
Derek Whaley, Ph.D., LRT, CTRS
Biographical Information
Dr. Derek Whaley is an assistant professor of Recreational Therapy at The University of North Carolina Wilmington. As a CTRS Derek practiced recreational therapy, primarily in behavioral health with youth and adults, for 10 years in a number of different states (i.e., North Carolina, Montano, Wyoming, Alaska, and Michigan). Derek has specialty in presenting on interactive topics including adventure therapy and adaptive sports topics. Additionally, Derek has been educating recreational therapy students for over 7 years at three institutions.
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4c667e455eba057b9d3d2402b38c64f9.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Monica Martinez, City of Austin Parks and Recreation")
Monica Martinez, City of Austin Parks and Recreation
Credentials
MS, CTRS
Biographical Information
Monica Martinez, CTRS, serves as the Recreation Program Coordinator for the Modifications & Support Unit within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Drawing on her foundational experience as a Special Education teacher and a Master’s in Therapeutic Recreation from Texas State University, Monica is a dedicated advocate for clarifying and elevating the recreational therapy scope of practice. An active leader within Texas Recreation And Parks Society (TRAPS), she focuses on professional development and cross-disciplinary networking to strengthen the clinical identity of the profession.