American Therapeutic Recreation Association

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Reston, VA
American Therapeutic Recreation Association

ATRA is the largest national membership organization representing the interests and needs of recreational therapists.

Recreational therapists are healthcare providers who use recreational therapy interventions for improved functioning of individuals with illness or disabling conditions. ATRA, was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1984 as a non-profit, grassroots organization in response to growing concern about the dramatic changes in the healthcare industry.

11/28/2025

ENJOY 25% OFF! 📣

We're so thankful for you! Use coupon code THANKFUL2025 to receive 25% off any one ATRA educational offering! Offer is valid Friday, November 28th - December 1st, 2025. 🧡

Explore our many educational offerings at the link below and tag a friend so they can feel the love too! 🫶

https://www.atra-online.com/education

11/27/2025

A Special Message of Gratitude from ATRA 🧡

Gratitude matters most in the moments when life is messy. This profession asks a lot of you, often without acknowledgement, and it can be hard to feel seen in the middle of the work you carry each day. That’s why today, ATRA is here to say thank you.

Thank you for showing up on the hard days. Thank you for coming in early and staying late. Thank you for doing the work no one sees. Thank you for advocating for your clients and for this profession. Thank you for the courage you bring when you choose what's right, even when it's difficult. Thank you for the humanity you show in those messy, real moments of connection.

If no one has told you recently, your work matters. And we at ATRA are grateful for you.

Brent Wolfe
ATRA Executive Director

11/26/2025

25% OFF GRATITUDE DISCOUNT! 📣

ATRA is so thankful for you! Enjoy 25% off any one ATRA educational offering with coupon code THANKFUL2025! Offer is valid Friday, November 28th - December 1st, 2025. 🧡

Explore our many educational offerings at the link below and tag a friend so they can feel the love too! 🫶

https://www.atra-online.com/education

11/26/2025

JOIN US ON THURSDAY 12/4! 📣

New to ATRA? We'd love to meet you! Not new but want an update on your ATRA benefits? We'd love to say hello! You're invited to join Brent and Dyann on Zoom for ATRA New Member Class! They'll review the benefits and resources that accompany your ATRA membership, answer any questions you may have, and connect you with other members and/or opportunities! 🧡

New Member Class takes place on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30PM ET on Zoom. We hope to see you on Thursday, December 4th. We're excited to connect with you. 🫶

Please visit the link below for the Zoom link and details! ⬇️

https://www.atra-online.com/live-events

11/25/2025

Please note that ATRA offices will be closed November 26-28, 2025. We're thankful for you! 🧡

11/25/2025

AYP EARLY RATES EXTENDED! 📣

Have you heard about our upcoming Advance Your Practice Summit? The topic, Healing Loneliness and Disconnection Through Recreational Therapy, is so important and universally relevant that we've extended our early rates until the start of the Summit on January 12th. 🫶

We hope you'll join us, January 12 - February 7, 2026, for this important virtual event, featuring internationally recognized, expert speakers. Elevate your clinical response to loneliness and step into your power as a leader in social connectedness. 🧡

Justification toolkit and group rates available! Review the preliminary program and register now at the link below.

https://www.atra-online.com/ayp-summit

11/14/2025

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM AVAILABLE! 📣

Step into your power as a leader in social connectedness. The preliminary program for our upcoming Advance Your Practice Summit: Healing Loneliness and Disconnection through Recreational Therapy (January 12 - February 7, 2026) is now available! Program highlights:

🧡 14 hours of virtual education (1.4 CEUs)
🩵 Pre-recorded learning sessions and live events
💙 Internationally recognized, expert speakers
🤍 Dynamic topics that will enhance your clinical competency

Advance your practice! Register now and learn more at the link below. Enjoy Early Bird Rates until November 24th. 🫶

https://www.atra-online.com/ayp-summit

11/13/2025

SPECIAL CARTE ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣

The Committee on Accreditation for Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), would like to welcome our new and returning board members for 2025-2026! The full CARTE board includes the following elected representatives: four Educators, four Practitioners, one Student, one Employer, and one Public Member.

Congratulations to all! 🧡

11/12/2025

NEW ATRA BLOG POST! 📣

Make your expertise visible as a leader in social connectedness! The November edition of Purposeful Fun is here and it's a powerful tool for your professional advocacy:

"Once viewed as an emotional ideal and at times a soft science, connection is now recognized as a powerful determinant of health and well-being. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory declared loneliness and isolation to be public health threats. This blog explores the growing focus on social connectedness. We discuss why it matters, what the research tells us, and encourages health and human service providers to turn to Recreational Therapists for strategies that truly make a difference."

Print this edition of Purposeful Fun and bring it to your next treatment team meeting or send it out via email to colleagues and key stakeholders in your organization. Your engagement is advocacy—please read, comment, and share at the link below. 🧡

https://www.atra-online.com/atra-blog

11/11/2025

Today, and every day, ATRA expresses our deepest gratitude to all who have served. Thank you, Veterans. 🇺🇸🙏

11/11/2025

OCTOBER ADVOCACY UPDATE! 📣

Interested in ATRA's advocacy efforts? Stay informed with our monthly Advocacy & Legislative Update, which highlights our most current advocacy efforts, including a summary of key issues addressed, a review of action alerts, advocacy initiatives, and issues we're monitoring closely.⁠

In October, there has been very limited Congressional activity as the Senate has been voting and trying to pass a budget bill. The House of Representatives has not returned to DC as Speaker Johnson has declined to hold House meetings until the Senate passes the budget. The federal government officially entered a shutdown on October 1, the start of the federal fiscal year. Essential government workers are required to work (with/without pay depending on the job), and others deemed non-essential are furloughed.

Read our October 2025 Advocacy & Legislative Update at the link below. This is ! Be proactive. Be informed. 👏

https://www.atra-online.com/advocacy

11/07/2025

NEW ATRA STAFF MEMBER! 📣

We're excited to introduce Holly Douglas, MSRT, CTRS, as ATRA's newest staff member! Holly joins the team as our Engagement & Education Specialist, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the field and a passion for empowering recreational therapists. Please join us in welcoming Holly to the ATRA team! 🧡

Welcome, Holly! 👏

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Reston, VA

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http://www.atra-online.com/

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