Rec Therapy Today – June 2026
The Momentum Issue
A monthly resource for recreational therapists since 2004
Welcome Message
Hello Innovative Rec Therapist —
Small Actions That Make Big Change
Welcome to the June 2026 issue of Rec Therapy Today.
Momentum matters.
In recreational therapy, meaningful change rarely happens all at once. More often, it happens through small actions repeated consistently over time. A conversation. A group session. A new idea. A moment of encouragement. One positive experience can help someone begin moving forward again.
The same is true professionally.
One CEU course completed.
One new intervention learned.
One article read.
One difficult day pushed through.
One decision to keep growing instead of giving up.
Small actions create momentum. And momentum creates change.
This month’s issue is focused on helping recreational therapists continue moving forward — personally and professionally. Inside, you’ll find ideas, insights, resources, and encouragement designed to help you stay energized, continue learning, and keep building toward the future you want.
You do important work.
Recreational therapists help people reconnect with confidence, purpose, leisure, relationships, coping skills, and hope. The impact of that work may not always be visible immediately, but it matters deeply.
Thank you for being part of the Rec Therapy Today community.
Thank you for continuing to learn, grow, and serve others.
Keep going. Your momentum matters.
Thank you for being part of Rec Therapy Today.
Your friend and partner in Rec Therapy,
Danny W. Pettry II, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, NCC, CTRS-BH
Mini Momentum Teleconference
Live on Friday, June 12
Join Rec Therapy Today for a special one-day professional development event featuring leaders from two organizations that help shape the recreational therapy profession.
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Time)
Brent D. Wolf, ATRA
Empowering Change: ATRA’s Commitment to Advocacy, Education, and Engagement
Learn how the American Therapeutic Recreation Association is advancing the profession through advocacy efforts, educational initiatives, member engagement, and leadership opportunities. Discover how recreational therapists can become involved and help strengthen the future of our profession.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)
Noelle Molloy, NCTRC
Recertification and Specialization Area Designation
Stay current with the latest information regarding NCTRC recertification requirements and Specialization Area Designation. This session will provide practical guidance to help you maintain your credential and better understand opportunities for professional growth and specialization.
Why Attend?
• Hear directly from leaders representing ATRA and NCTRC
• Gain practical information you can apply immediately
• Stay informed about important professional updates
• Invest in your professional growth and future success
• Connect with fellow recreational therapy professionals
Registration is free, but advance registration is required.
Reserve your spot today.
Recreational Therapists Are Saying This About Rec Therapy Today®
Finding quality CTRS education shouldn’t be difficult.
These are real comments we recently received from recreational therapists across the country after sharing our free CEU Secrets resource.
“I love your continuing classes, it’s rather difficult for CTRS to find education so THANK YOU!”
“Thank you sincerely for the course today. It was such a treat to have access to a free course with good information.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness and dedication to provide meaningful and purposeful education to us.”
“Thank you so much Danny. I will definitely take advantage of the course and I am staying with Rec Therapy Today.”
“That is AMAZING! Thank you!”
“I’m still interested in CEUs! Thanks for reaching out!”
“I have really enjoyed the courses that I have done. Thank you for all your hard work!”
“Thanks so much! I will definitely do this course and some more off your website to get my CEUs!”
“Thank you for your support in obtaining CEUs for maintenance of my CTRS.”
“Thank you for this opportunity, I appreciate the kindness.”
“I LOVE everything you do and provide!”
At Rec Therapy Today®, our mission is simple:
- Help recreational therapists earn CEUs with confidence
- Provide practical education you can actually use
- Make continuing education accessible, meaningful, and professional
Whether you need a few hours or want year-round support, we’re here to help you stay certified and continue growing as a recreational therapist.
Opening Insight
Recreational therapists create meaningful moments every day through encouragement, connection, and therapeutic experiences. This image is a reminder that the work RTs do matters — even on the days when it may go unnoticed.
More Than CEUs.
Every course represents:
new ideas.
better interventions.
stronger confidence.
improved patient care.
CEUs are just the beginning.
The best education creates transformation.
Why More Recreational Therapists Are Choosing Elite CEU Membership
Recreational therapists are busy.
Between documentation, treatment planning, groups, meetings, family responsibilities, and everyday life, finding time for CEUs can become stressful quickly.
That’s why more RTs are choosing the Elite CEU Membership from Rec Therapy Today.
Currently, 97 recreational therapists have enrolled in Elite.
Why?
Because Elite was designed specifically for recreational therapists who want CEUs that are:
✔ NCTRC approved
✔ Easy to complete
✔ Practical and relevant
✔ Designed for busy schedules
✔ Available online anytime
Instead of scrambling to find CEUs throughout the year, Elite members receive access to a growing library of courses focused on real-world recreational therapy practice.
Topics include:
- behavioral health
- trauma-informed care
- documentation
- ethics
- interventions
- mental health
- and more
New CEU opportunities continue to be added, helping members stay current while continuing to grow professionally.
Most importantly, Elite helps reduce stress.
No last-minute searching.
No confusion.
No wondering if courses are approved.
Just practical CEUs built specifically for recreational therapists.
Small steps create momentum — and continuing to invest in professional growth can help recreational therapists continue making a difference in the lives of the people they serve.
Rec Therapist Identity
Recreational therapists help people feel seen, valued, included, and connected. Through groups, encouragement, leisure experiences, and therapeutic relationships, RTs often help individuals rediscover confidence and belonging.
Rec Therapy Insights
Recreational therapy involves much more than games and activities. RTs use assessments, treatment planning, therapeutic groups, evaluations, and documentation to help patients work toward meaningful treatment goals and improved quality of life.
Evidenced Based Insight
Three (3) Practical Takeaways for Recreational Therapists
1. Improve one skill at a time
Focus on one area such as communication, documentation, or group leadership.
2. Seek feedback
Ask coworkers for input and pay attention to patient responses to improve interventions.
3. Stretch your skills
Try new groups, interventions, or approaches that challenge you to grow professionally.
Small actions repeated
Reference
Ericsson, K. A., & Pool, R. (2016). Peak: Secrets from the new science of expertise. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
RT Spotlight: Jonette Passmore, CTRS/L, ATRIC
Jonette Passmore, CTRS/L, ATRIC is from Stillwater, Oklahoma.
She earned her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from Oklahoma State University and provides aquatic-based recreational therapy services for children ages 9 months to 13 years old.
She works with individuals with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, and rare disorders through pool-based interventions and university settings.
Jonette says one of the most rewarding parts of recreational therapy is:
“Seeing progress being made with smiles and laughter.”
Three (3) RT Insights from Jonette
✔ Look at which interventions are working — and which need improvement.
✔ Adjust interventions to make them more relevant, beneficial, and current.
✔ Find the population and interventions you are passionate about and continue advancing services for the profession.
Jonette also believes recreational therapy will continue playing a larger role in mental health in the future.
Be Featured in Rec Therapy Today
Recreational therapists are making a difference every day. Complete our quick survey for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of Rec Therapy Today
Share your experiences, ideas, and insights with the RT community.
Actionable Tool
Momentum Ball Toss is a simple recreational therapy group activity that encourages participants to reflect on what helps them keep moving forward. Therapeutic benefits may include social interaction, communication skills, insight building, motivation, and peer support.
Outcome Reminder
Recreational therapists are skilled healthcare professionals who use assessments, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, evaluations, and advocacy to help individuals improve functioning, well-being, and quality of life through purposeful recreation and activity-based interventions.
Get Your CEUs Today
Continuing education does not have to feel overwhelming. Recreational therapists can reduce stress and stay on track by choosing CEUs that are practical, NCTRC approved, easy to complete, and designed specifically for real-world recreational therapy practice.
Built for Recreational Therapists.
Not nurses.
Not social workers.
Not “everyone.”
Rec Therapy Today has focused on recreational therapists since 2004.
Because your profession deserves continuing education made specifically for you.
Recreational Therapists Voices
Most recreational therapists responding to our recent reader survey said they “liked” or “loved” the new newsletter layout. One especially helpful suggestion was to bring back “Game of the Month” and “Video of the Month.” We appreciate the feedback and ideas shared by the recreational therapy community.
Danny’s Corner
Coming in June: Rec My Life
I’m excited to share that I’m creating a new project called Rec My Life, which will be released in June.
Part journal, part activity book, and part memory keeper, Rec My Life encourages you to try new things, make meaningful memories, and document your experiences through photos, tickets, receipts, notes, drawings, and more.
My hope is that this resource inspires people to get involved, stay active, and truly leave evidence they lived.
Coming June 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
— Danny W. Pettry II, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, NCC, CTRS-BH
Monthly Article Feature
The Recreational Therapists Who Grow the Most Keep Saying One Thing: “Teach Me.”
By Danny Pettry, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, NCC, CTRS-BH
Image credit: Credit:izusek
Inspired by: What to Do When It’s Your Turn (Godin, 2014)
The strongest recreational therapists are usually not the ones pretending to know everything.
They are the ones willing to keep learning.
Healthcare changes.
Patients change.
Treatment approaches change.
And professionals who stay curious continue growing.
One powerful idea from Seth Godin’s book is this:
“The good ones show up and say, ‘teach me.’”
Montly Engagement
What small action has created momentum for you this year? Recreational therapists are invited to complete the Share Your Voice survey for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of Rec Therapy Today and help inspire the RT community.
Never Miss an Issue
Rec Therapy Today has been supporting recreational therapists every month since 2004.
Stay connected, get practical ideas, and never scramble for CEUs again.