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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 is the Session Descriptions for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. 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 On Demand Conference offerings, please visit: ATRA SoCal On Demand
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending fr all sessions for CEUs.
Once the program is pre-approved; 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 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.
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Session Description
This session highlights an innovative, evidence-based gardening intervention designed to support recovery and strengthen the caregiver–care recipient relationship following inpatient rehabilitation. Grounded in the concept of “third space,” the program creates a shared, meaningful activity that promotes connection, motivation, and well-being beyond the hospital setting. Findings from a 90-day mixed-methods study demonstrate improved caregiver mental health, quality of life, and reduced strain compared to historical controls, alongside qualitative themes of enhanced mutuality, identity, and recovery engagement. Attendees will explore how this interdisciplinary model can be translated into Recreational Therapy practice, with emphasis on designing accessible, relationship-centered interventions that extend beyond discharge and support long-term outcomes for both care recipients and caregivers.
Learning Outcomes
1. Describe how a shared, leisure-based intervention can influence connection, well-being, and recovery for both care recipients and caregivers. 2. Identify key elements that make a therapeutic leisure intervention meaningful, accessible, and sustainable beyond discharge. 3. Apply these principles to develop a relationship-centered intervention within their own Recreational Therapy practice.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Research
Target Audience
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aafa81dcbc9ccfcfbf44fcafcb82f5ed.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Katelynn Campbell, Kaiser Permanente")
Katelynn Campbell, Kaiser Permanente
Biographical Information
Katelynn Campbell, CTRS, RTC, is a Recreation Therapist at Kaiser Foundation Rehabilitation Center (KFRC) in Vallejo, CA, where she has practiced since 2018. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreation Therapy from San Jose State University, graduating Cum Laude and recognized as the Most Outstanding Graduating Senior in the Health Science Department. Katelynn brings a deeply personal and patient-centered perspective to her work, shaped in part by her own experience completing rehabilitation at KFRC following a serious motor vehicle accident. This experience informs her approach to care, emphasizing connection, dignity, and meaningful engagement throughout the recovery process. As the sole Recreation Therapist within Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California inpatient rehabilitation setting, Katelynn has developed and implemented programming that supports emotional adjustment, community reintegration, and caregiver inclusion. Her work focuses on using leisure as a way to help patients reconnect with their identities, relationships, and everyday lives beyond the hospital. Katelynn previously served on the board of the Bay Area Therapeutic Recreation Association (BATRA) and is a certified HeartMath Trainer. She is passionate about advancing Recreational Therapy practice through innovative, relationship-centered, and evidence-informed approaches to care.