Easy as ABC: How Team Resilience Shapes Patient Outcomes

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.

Session Description

The connection between team functioning and patient outcomes is often evident, but rarely acknowledged and acted upon. This session aims to bridge that gap by introducing a simple framework, based on the ABCs, that helps to build this staff connectivity, resiliency and focus on the wellbeing of employees. Attendees will learn how team behaviors translate into patient experiences and will develop practical approaches to strengthen team culture as a means of improving patient care quality. Examples given will include observed impacts on patient engagement, group participation, and stability within that group. Utilizing these examples will aid in attendees forming action plans for their own environments.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify at least three observable ways a team’s dynamics directly influence patient engagement, regulation, and participation in programming. 2. Develop an action plan to strengthen team resilience and evaluate its impact on patient-centered outcomes. 3. Demonstrate how intentional team behaviors (e.g. modeling, communication, co-regulation) function as clinical interventions within Recreational Therapy practice.

Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply

Target Audience

Primary Presenter

Elizabeth Vance, PrairieCare

Biographical Information

Beth Vance, CTRS, is a Recreation Therapy Manager and practitioner in inpatient behavioral health, overseeing Recreation Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Art Therapy and Music Therapy services within a 101-bed psychiatric hospital. With over 20 years of experience working with pediatric, adolescent, and young adult populations, she specializes in therapeutic programming, milieu-based care, and interdisciplinary team development. Beth’s work focuses on the connection between team dynamics and patient outcomes, highlighted through her “ABCs of a Resilient Culture” framework, which supports staff resilience and enhances engagement, regulation, and participation in care.

ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

October 17–19, 2026

The Embassy Suites, Brea, California

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions