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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.
Prescribing Connection: Simulation-Based Tools for Building Therapeutic Communication Competency in Recreation Therapy
Session Description
At the heart of every therapeutic relationship is communication, and at the heart of communication is connection. As loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognized as public health crises, Recreation Therapists are uniquely positioned to prescribe belonging through the quality of their therapeutic relationships. This session centers on the teaching and development of therapeutic communication fundamentals as the foundational mechanism through which RTs foster meaningful connection with clients, strengthen the therapeutic alliance, and advance health and wellbeing. Participants will explore essential communication strategies while examining how allied professions teach these skills across different educational environments. The session compares diverse simulation approaches, including virtual reality environments, gaming platforms, virtual worlds, and AI chatbots, highlighting their effectiveness in both online and in-person learning contexts. Through guided practice with simulated scenarios, participants will apply therapeutic communication techniques in a safe learning environment, with explicit attention to how each technique builds trust, presence, and a sense of belonging for clients experiencing isolation. By examining both traditional approaches and technological innovations, Recreation Therapists will gain practical insights for enhancing their capacity to create genuine human connection through intentional communication. Participants will leave with strategies for developing therapeutic communication competencies and knowledge for selecting appropriate simulation methods for their specific teaching and learning needs.
Learning Outcomes
After attending this session, participants will be able to: • Define therapeutic communication and explain its role as the foundational mechanism through which Recreation Therapists foster belonging, build therapeutic alliance, and address loneliness and social isolation across diverse client populations. • Compare simulation-based approaches, including virtual reality, gaming platforms, virtual worlds, and AI applications, for developing therapeutic communication skills in online and in-person educational environments. • Apply at least three therapeutic communication techniques through guided practice with simulated scenarios, with emphasis on skills that cultivate trust, presence, and a sense of belonging in the therapeutic relationship.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
All
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c3d4e58f17600fcb7a07a6f95250642f.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Jason Page, SUNY Cortland")
Jason Page, SUNY Cortland
Biographical Information
Jason Page is an Assistant Professor and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department at SUNY Cortland, where he has served since 2020. He also directs the Inclusive Recreation Resource Center (IRRC) and coordinates the department's internship program. Born and raised in Ipswich, UK, he began his academic career at Canterbury Christchurch University before immigrating to the United States, where he spent over two decades working in human services with at-risk youth and individuals living with substance use and mental health disorders. He earned a second Bachelor’s degree in history and political science from SUNY Cortland, followed by a Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, also from Cortland. In 2021, he completed his PhD in Recreation Therapy from Clemson University. Jason’s research centers on aberrant recreation, recreation subcultures, identity development, and substance use. Beyond core therapeutic classes Jason teaches courses exploring the sociological dimensions of leisure, including his signature course, Sex, Drugs, & Rock and Roll, which examines recreation through the lens of subculture and social deviance. Jason currently serves as President-Elect of the New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association (NYSTRA) and as a member of the ATRA taskforce on AI. Jason also continues to serve as a member of the New York Certification Board overseeing training for Substance Use Peers across the state.
Co-Presenter/Panelists
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/1811/profile_27ac80363a10735f7ddca1e300e531cc.png "Susan Purrington, Ph.D., Harold F. Wiley Generative AI Teaching and Learning Fellow - Connecticut College")
Susan Purrington, Ph.D., Harold F. Wiley Generative AI Teaching and Learning Fellow - Connecticut College
Credentials
PhD CTRS
Biographical Information
Susan Purrington, PhD, CTRS, is currently the Harold F. Wiley Generative AI Teaching and Learning Fellow at Connecticut College. She is a recognized leader in AI integration within higher education, having developed the nation's first AI literacy course focused on leisure and recreation ("AI and the Future of Fun") and created several academic support and professional bots, such as the "RT Buddy," a specialized GPT chatbot for recreational therapy professionals. As an AI Ethics & Integration Consultant and former Associate Teaching Professor at Northern Arizona University, she has delivered presentations on AI in education and therapeutic recreation across multiple countries. She holds various AI and teaching certifications, and currently chairs the American Therapeutic Recreation Association AI Task Force. Her work bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and practical applications in education, therapeutic recreation, and inclusive learning environments.