Big B, Little B, What Begins with B? Belonging, Boredom, Burnout. B. B. B.

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

Are you feeling a bit bored or burnt out? You’re not alone! Join us for a playful yet practical journey inspired by Dr. Seuss’s beloved classic, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Together, we’ll explore the often-overlooked “B’s” of our professional and personal lives— Boredom and Burnout—and how they sneak into our daily routines. So, whether you’re new to the workforce or a seasoned pro, hop aboard our whimsical ride! Let’s learn, laugh, and find ways to bounce back from the “B’s” through belonging. Because with the right tools and a dash of Dr. Seuss spirit, “Oh, the places you’ll go”—even when facing burnout—might surprise you!

Learning Outcomes

In this interactive session, we’ll use Seussical storytelling to: Recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout (and its cousin boredom). 1. Understand how burnout develops—and why even high achievers can end up there 2. Explore strategies to prevent and manage burnout, including self-care, boundaries, belonging, connection, and reconnecting to purpose 3. Share tools and resources to help you (and your team) reclaim energy, engagement, connection, meaning, belonging, and joy at work Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to: o Identify at least 3 physical symptoms to burnout o Identify at least 3 mental health symptoms to burnout o Identify 2 situations that increase staff burnout o Identify at least 2 ways supportive teams can reduce staff burnout and create a sense of belonging

Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply

Target Audience

Primary Presenter

Beth Anne Dietrich, Phoenix VA Health Care System

Biographical Information

Dr. Beth Dietrich has 30+ years experience in the field of RT. She has been working at the Phoenix VA for over 19 years and is the Section Chief of Recreation Therapy/Creative Arts Therapy. Dr. Beth specializes in substance use and mental health treatment and holds a NCTRC Specialty Certification in Behavioral Health. In addition, she has been an instructor of Recreational Therapy at Arizona State University for 20+ years. She is an active member of the Arizona State Therapeutic Recreation Association an ATRA chapter affiliate and has been ASTRA's President for the past 2 years.

ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

October 17–19, 2026

The Embassy Suites, Brea, California

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions