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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 session descriptions represent the planned educational program for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, session content, presenters, schedules, and locations remain subject to change.
For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending for all sessions for CEUs.
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.
Prompts, Practice, and Professional Judgment: A Recreational Therapist's Guide to Generative AI
Session Description
This 3-hour interactive session introduces Recreational Therapy (RT) professionals to foundational AI literacy concepts and applies them directly to the APIED process. Participants will explore how Generative AI (GenAI) tools can enhance clinical reasoning, support individualized treatment planning, streamline documentation, and improve outcome tracking, all within an evidence-informed and ethically grounded framework. Through hands-on activities, case-based scenarios, and guided practice with GenAI tools, attendees will build practical skills for integrating AI responsibly into their day-to-day RT practice. The session also addresses critical thinking around AI limitations, data privacy, and professional scope of practice to ensure that technology complements, not replaces, the therapeutic relationship. Attendees are encouraged to have a laptop or larger digital device for the session. Everyone, regardless of familiarity with AI, are welcome to attend.
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate AI literacy by identifying at least five key AI concepts relevant to Recreational Therapy practice. 2. Apply the safe, ethical, and effective (SEE) framework by demonstrating its use across each phase of the APIED process through a completed case-based scenario. 3. Critically assess and verify GenAI outputs by reviewing an AI-generated content developed during the session.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
All
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocLU1VNoC_n3EzwnVOePrzuGZkA_s2AfWvcimGZxWGYBvzCcKt9qRQ=s50 "Susan Purrington, Connecticut College")
Susan Purrington, Connecticut College
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.