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15/08/2025

We hope you all have had a great summer! We look forward to seeing all of our Recreational Therapy students in classes next week. 🍎🎒

12/08/2025

Senior Recreational Therapy (RT) student Bailey Palmer was a presenter at the summer Undergraduate Research Symposium sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). Bailey has been a participant in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) for the past two semesters.

Bailey’s poster titled “Impact of a Robotic Pets Intervention on Mood and Engagement in Older Adults with Differing Cognitive Skills” generated lots of interest and positive response from symposium attendees.

We are grateful for OUR programs at the U that help RT students develop as researchers and scholars.

Thank you also to the Recreational Therapy Foundation who funded this research.

Great work, Bailey!

07/08/2025

Ciera White successfully completed her Master’s Project “Evaluating the impact of an inclusive theater arts program on social skills and peer interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder.” Ciera partnered with Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning to implement her 6-week theater arts program for children 6-8 years old. Students who participated saw positive changes in social skills and peer interactions as reported by Parent Proxy and in a self-report assessment.

Please join us in congratulating Ciera! 🥳👏

05/08/2025

Meet our recent recipients of the M. Sydney Post Endowed Scholarship, Brinley Stinson & LeiLoni Bertrand.

Brinley is a senior in our BS in Recreational Therapy program who is completing her internship this summer. LeiLoni will be begin her senior year this fall. Both Brinley and LeiLoni are exceptional students with a passion for the RT profession. Congratulations!

We are grateful for our scholarship donors, specifically Dr. Syd Post, for making this opportunity possible to provide valuable support and recognition to our exceptional RT students.

Congratulations, Brinley & LeiLoni!

25/07/2025

Our recreational therapy students are always going above and beyond! This past May, some of our students, alongside faculty Dr. Ashley Bowen, volunteered at the Move United Sport Conference, hosted by our friends at the National Ability Center .

This fantastic conference emphasized improving access to sport and recreation for individuals with disabilities, and our students had the opportunity to attend educational sessions across tracks focused on Sport-Specific Instruction, Non-Profit Management, Inclusion in Schools & Universities, and Intersections with Medical Professionals. What a beneficial learning and networking experience for their future careers!

22/07/2025

Another spotlight of our University of Utah contributions from the URTA Conference this year! Here are highlights from two fantastic presentations:

Eric Bonin joined a dynamic panel to delve into ethics in recreational therapy. The session tackled crucial questions like: What are ethics, and how do they apply to the APIED process? How does the ATRA Code of Ethics guide our practice? And what should you do when an ethical dilemma arises? The panel, comprised of experienced recreational therapists from diverse settings, offered valuable insights into navigating those "gray areas" of practice, helping attendees make sound ethical decisions.

We also had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Melissa Zahl, who presented on "Using Errorless Learning in Recreational Therapy Practice." This powerful teaching method helps recreational therapists facilitate learning for clients with cognitive impairments. Attendees not only learned about errorless learning and its specific strategies but also had the chance to put it into practice.

We engaged in two amazing days of valuable learning and professional growth!

12/07/2025

✨SATURDAY STUDENT SPOTLIGHT✨

Our Saturday Student Spotlight is focused on two of our Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science students, Sasha Gordon and Erica Emery, who presented on essential Recreational Therapy topics at the URTA Annual Conference in March!

Sasha shared valuable insights on "Quality Measures in Long-Term Care: How Recreational Therapy Can Help." Her presentation highlighted how recreational therapists can play a crucial role in impacting quality measures and five-star ratings in long-term care facilities.

Erica presented on "Introducing Adaptive Sports in Pediatric Rehabilitation: Impact on Affect and Health Related Quality of LIfe." This impactful session explored the vital role of adaptive sports in the recovery and well-being of hospitalized pediatric patients, sharing findings and discussing practical applications for implementing similar programs.

We're so proud of their dedication to advancing the field and improving lives!

02/07/2025

✨ URTA CONFERENCE RECAP ✨

Here are some highlights of a few of our alumni and their incredible presentations from the Utah Recreation Therapy Association (URTA) conference in March:

Will Lindsay delivered a powerful keynote, teaching us how to build personal and professional resilience using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Through personal stories and industry insights, he showed us how to embrace uncomfortable experiences as opportunities for growth, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and a values-driven life. The session also covered essential topics like boundary setting, self-care, advocacy, and growth, encouraging us to savor every moment, good or bad, with curiosity and intentionality. He also provided a very informative two-part session on su***de prevention.

Tracy Valdez and Kristina Couron shed light on the Gradual Drug Reduction Initiative, outlining the new CMS guidelines and the vital role of Recreation Therapy. Attendees learned how to be integral members of the clinical team and effectively implement RT services to empower residents with mental health needs, fostering their success and independence.

Nikki North introduced us to Radically-Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a cutting-edge approach for clients who may not benefit from traditional DBT. If you've encountered clients who "have it all together" but still struggle, Radically-Open DBT offers a new path to help those who fly under the radar.

27/06/2025

✨ URTA CONFERENCE RECAP ✨

We are excited to bring you a couple more highlights from our incredible alumni who presented at the URTA Conference in March!

Izzy Forrest contributed to an essential presentation on "RT Practices for Autistic Children and Adults." This session aimed to deconstruct common practices and promote a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and culturally competent approach to working with patients with autism. Presenters shared new perspectives on autism traits and the "spectrum," discussed intersectionality, and highlighted emerging research areas. This knowledge, combined with insights from the autism community, aims to inspire changes in practice and reduce harm. Specific neurodiversity-affirming practices in assessment, group facilitation/interventions, and verbal language/documentation were covered.

Leanne George was part of a powerful presentation on "Empowering Through Play: Our Humanitarian Service in Ghana." This session explored the profound impact of their recreational therapy mission in Ghana, demonstrating how humanitarian efforts enhance global well-being and foster empathy. They shared insights into the meticulous planning, logistical challenges, and collaborative spirit that brought their vision to life. The team conducted a five-day therapeutic recreation camp for local children, providing joy, support, and valuable life skills, while also networking with other RT professionals. This transformative experience highlighted the power of recreation therapy and the lasting connections made.

Excellent job, Izzy and Leanne!

24/06/2025

✨ URTA CONFERENCE RECAP ✨

We're continuing our spotlight on the amazing work our alumni shared at the URTA Conference in March. Check out these impactful presentations from our MS RT alumni:

Marissa Masten shared fascinating insights from her MS RT research on a mandala coloring program designed to reduce stress in psychiatric nursing staff. This research explored how creative arts interventions, led by skilled recreational therapists, can be a practical and effective way to promote health and reduce stress in high-pressure healthcare environments. The study measured the program's success using various stress scales, highlighting the power of simple, creative activities in supporting our frontline workers.

Clara offered invaluable strategies for enhancing Recreation Therapy group dynamics. This session was all about honing practical skills, from improving processing techniques to confidently navigating challenging group situations. Attendees left feeling more assured in their abilities, ready to better address the needs of their clients.

Way to go, Marissa and Clara!

20/06/2025

Congratulations to Ashley Helmi, MS, TRS, CTRS, on successfully defending their Master’s thesis, “Exploring the Associations Between Job Tasks and Burnout in Recreational Therapists”! Their research found that specific CTRS job tasks are associated with burnout, and continues to support the burnout literature and healthcare workers. Their research is a testament to their dedication to better understanding burnout among CTRSs and their persistence and hard work. We are so proud of you, Ashley, and look forward to seeing the impact you make next!

18/06/2025

✨URTA CONFERENCE RECAP✨

Some of our faculty, students, and alumni recently made waves at the Utah Recreation Therapy Association (URTA) conference in March! They shared their expertise on critical topics in recreational therapy:

Adapting Robotic Pets: Dr. Rhonda Nelson, students Lauren Bade and Bailey Palmer, and alumnus Jonathan Parker presented on how robotic pet companions can be integrated into recreational therapy programs for older adults, with insights on effective protocols and facilitation techniques for diverse abilities.

Medicaid Reimbursement in Utah: Dr. Ashley Bowen and alumna Becca Westenskow presented on securing Medicaid reimbursement for RT services in Utah, covering eligibility, documentation, and strategies for advocating with administrators. They even offered step-by-step guidance on provider enrollment!

Internship Readiness: Dr. Steven A. Bell presented essential insights for students preparing for their internships, from planning and selection to ensuring a successful experience for both students and agencies.

We're so proud of their contributions and dedication to advancing the field!

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520 Wakara Way

84108

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Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00

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https://www.health.utah.edu/occupational-recreational-therapies/index.php

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