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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.
Recreational Therapy Outcomes, Interventions, and Recovery Principles in Forensic and Correctional Settings
Session Description
The purpose of this presentation is to better understand the role of recreational therapy in forensic and correctional settings and is representative of part of a larger study (Fischer et al., in press). This study was used to determine what treatment outcomes are being targeted and which interventions are being used by recreational therapists with adults with serious mental illness (SMI) in forensic and correctional settings. Interventions addressed are based on the ATRA Delphi & Competencies Study Update, Behavioral Health section (Hawkins et al., 2017). With the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Recovery Model (2012) as a framework, this study also sought to explore to what degree recreational therapists use recovery principles in these settings and how they define, learn, and apply mental health recovery. Study findings, limitations, and implications for recreational therapy will be presented. Acknowledgements This research was partially funded by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification Research Grant, awarded April 2023.
Learning Outcomes
1) Identify two targeted outcomes recreational therapists primarily focus on when working with adults with SMI in forensic and correctional settings. 2) Identify three SAMHSA recovery principles being applied by recreational therapists working with adults with SMI in forensic and correctional settings. 3) Identify two implications for RT practice and education related to forensic and correctional settings.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Research
Other
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b5df80f59219e1f674e7c9fd0a0fd335.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Sarah R. Fischer, PhD, LRT, CTRS-BH, Catawba College")
Sarah R. Fischer, PhD, LRT, CTRS-BH, Catawba College
Biographical Information
Dr. Sarah R. Fischer is an assistant professor and the Chair of Recreational Therapy at Catawba College. As a CTRS with 29 years of professional experience working with various populations across different settings, much of her work has focused on adults with SMI, especially in forensic and correctional settings. Additionally, Dr. Fischer has functioned in several administrative roles, further contributing to her diverse background and skills. Her research interests include behavioral health, nature-based interventions, and higher education in RT. She is passionate about RT and committed to mentoring students and emerging professionals.
Co-Presenter/Panelists
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dd87d403aada6af00c55a42d6bf343fa.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Brandi M. Crowe, PhD, LRT, CTRS, FDRT, Clemson University")
Brandi M. Crowe, PhD, LRT, CTRS, FDRT, Clemson University
Credentials
PhD, LRT, CTRS, FDRT
Biographical Information
Brandi M. Crowe, PhD, LRT, CTRS, FDRT is an Associate Professor of Recreational Therapy in the Department of Parks Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University. Her research interests include complementary and integrative health for individuals with chronic health conditions and leisure-stress coping.
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dce58c813e265d2dd301fe42038c4d2b.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Stephen Lewis, PhD, CTRS, Clemson University")
Stephen Lewis, PhD, CTRS, Clemson University
Credentials
PhD, CTRS
Biographical Information
Dr. Stephen Lewis is a Senior Lecturer in the Recreational Therapy Program at Clemson University, instructing both in-person and online courses to all level of RT students. He has been a CTRS since 2000, with the majority of his direct service focusing on adults with severe and persistent mental illness. He began teaching full-time at the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill, New Zealand in 2006, immediately before serving as a visiting lecturer at Indiana University (2007-2010) while completing PhD coursework. He then served as a lecturer, and assistant professor at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse (2010-2014). HIs scholarship often focuses on critical qualitative methods, LGBTQ+ issues, leisure constraints, and issues related to RT practice.
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/827e1d72761800e11d522ea95d1b6775.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "C. Sherin Singleton, PsyD, California Department of State Hospitals - Patton")
C. Sherin Singleton, PsyD, California Department of State Hospitals - Patton
Credentials
PsyD
Biographical Information
Dr. Sherin Singleton is a senior psychologist supervisor at the California Department of State Hospitals-Patton. Her areas of expertise are in the assessment and treatment of forensically connected individuals. She has worked with patients who are incompetent to stand trial, guilty but not guilty by reason of insanity, offenders with a mental disorder, civilly conserved patients, and mentally ill inmates. In her private practice, she conducts both criminal and civil forensic evaluations. She has a history of teaching, including directing the DSH-Patton predoctoral training program and teaching at local universities. She also has a history of research and statistics.
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5e07e22bb06baac0f2818608e5f044f8.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Jasmine Townsend, PhD, CTRS, FDRT, CARSS-II, Clemson University")
Jasmine Townsend, PhD, CTRS, FDRT, CARSS-II, Clemson University
Credentials
Jasmine Townsend, PhD, CTRS, FDRT, CARSS-II
Biographical Information
Jasmine Townsend, PhD, CTRS, FDRT, CARSS-II is an Associate Professor of Recreational Therapy in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University. Her research interests include adaptive sport and recreation, military service members, and their families, and family leisure.