A Review of L. Thornton’s April 16, 2026 Presentation at the West Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor Association
Image credit from istockphoto: Credit:Vladimir Vladimirov
Source:
Thornton, L. (2026, April 16). Trust our process: Resilience, self of the therapist and the power of showing up [Conference keynote]. WVLPCA Conference 2026.
By Danny Pettry
I had the opportunity to attend this keynote presentation, and it offered a powerful reminder: many of the principles explored are highly relevant not only to counselors—but to those of us working in recreational therapy as well.
Recreational therapists do meaningful, hands-on work every day—but this session reinforced that who we are is just as important as what we do.
Laurel Thornton, LPC, shared a simple but impactful message:
👉 “You’re already doing amazing things.”
This comment applies recreational therapists too.
Key Soundbites by Thornton, L. (2026, April 16).
- “Stress is necessary. Your brain needs it to survive, grow, and learn.”
- “Wellness is a practice of movement. Stuckness is a symptom—not a problem.”
- “Resilience is about connection, not just reaction.”
- “We kept showing up… for each other.”
What This Means for Recreational Therapists
1. Your “Self” Is a Tool
A major theme of the presentation was the “self of the therapist.”
- Self (I): how you show up in the moment
- Me: your identity and lived experience
👉 For recreational therapists, this means your presence, energy, and authenticity are not secondary—they are part of the intervention itself.
2. Stress Isn’t the Enemy
The session challenged a common belief: stress is not always harmful.
- Stress supports growth and learning
- Trauma can disrupt functioning, but recovery is possible
👉 In recreational therapy, we can apply this by creating safe, engaging challenges through activities that promote resilience and coping.
3. The Brain Needs Connection
One key takeaway: the brain cannot thrive in isolation.
- Under stress, the brain’s default systems can go offline
- Connection helps restore a person’s sense of self
👉 This reinforces the value of RT groups, social recreation, and shared experiences as essential—not optional—components of healing.
4. Resilience Has Three Building Blocks
(Feldman, 2020, as cited in presentation)
- Plasticity → Learning
- Sociality → Bonding
- Meaning → Inspiration
👉 Recreational therapists naturally support all three:
- Teaching new leisure skills
- Facilitating social interaction
- Helping individuals rediscover purpose and enjoyment
5. Showing Up Is the Intervention
One of the most powerful ideas shared was simple:
👉 “We kept showing up…”
Not perfectly. Not with all the answers.
But consistently.
👉 In recreational therapy, this translates directly:
Consistency builds trust—and trust leads to outcomes.
Bottom Line
Attending this session reinforced a clear and meaningful connection:
Recreational therapy is resilience work.
- We help people move
- We help people connect
- We help people find meaning
And perhaps most importantly…
👉 We show up.
References
Thornton, L. (2026, April 16). Trust our process: Resilience, self of the therapist and the power of showing up [Conference keynote]. WVLPCA Conference 2026.
Feldman, R. (2020). Three tenets of resilience (as cited in presentation).
Connect with the Presenter
Interested in learning more about Laurel Thornton’s work on resilience, neuroscience, and the self of the therapist?
You can connect with her and explore additional resources online:
- Website: https://iristrainingcollective.com
- Social Media: @iristrainingcollective
- YouTube: Whole Brain Institute
Her work offers valuable insights that can support not only counselors, but also recreational therapists seeking to strengthen their impact through connection, presence, and resilience.