leadership

I am excited to continue working with my fellow BCTRA Board members to advocate for, and advance, the field and profession of therapeutic recreation.

As a Board we accomplished a lot over the past 2 years! In particular, we developed a strong brand for BCTRA giving us a clear identity and direction, created a suite of promotional tools for the practice of therapeutic recreation and updated our website. This year our focus is supporting members during the continuing pandemic and moving forward with strong advocacy efforts to ensure that the government and employers know the value and benefit of therapeutic recreation services.

I’m an ardent supporter of physical recreation in all people’s lives. It has always played a big role in my life and as I read more and more research extolling its benefits, not only its physiological benefits, but also its benefits for brain health, I’m motivated to continue to have it play a central role in my leisure. Currently walking, baking, reading, and zoom meet ups with family and friends gives me wonderful opportunities to experience “flow”. Post-pandemic I look forward to pursuing more travel adventures!

My life’s passion is Therapeutic Recreation (TR). TR has been a part of my life since I graduated from high school in 1979! In my TR practice I have worked primarily with Older Adults. I love the TR process and how individuals engage in recreation programs tailored to their interests with adaptations that meet their needs. It is pleasing when individuals experience success and find new pursuits to enjoy. I am currently employed as a Recreation Therapist for an Adult day program in Interior Health. I’ve done some work with Douglas College as well – I enjoy supporting students.

I am volunteering as Director of Membership because I believe that in order to be fully recognized for our practice individual Recreation Therapists across the province must find ways to engage as members of their professional association. During my term I will be reaching out to past members, current practitioners and new members.

Although TR is my passion, I also cherish time with my family and friends I enjoy participating in leisure activities including good conversations, reading, learning, snowshoeing, swimming, walking and being in nature, I love music and have learned to accept the TV during covid!

Hello BCTRA members! I am excited to connect with everyone through my involvement as your Director of Communications. As a recent graduate from Douglas College in 2021, I am eager work alongside a team of wonderful and experienced practitioners. During my leisure time, I can be found exploring new restaurants in the city, hiking one of many available trails, attending concerts, travelling and exploring new cities, or watching the latest TV series.

Look forward to connecting with everyone through our social medias. Be sure to follow BCTRA on Instagram and Facebook!

Hello BCTRA members! I am very excited to be joining the Board of Directors as your Director of Education. I am originally from Mississauga Ontario where I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Brock University. Since 2012, I have been in the field working with seniors in Long Term Care and retirement homes. I moved to British Columbia in 2017 where I have been working at Evergreen House in North Vancouver as a Recreation Therapist ever since. I was previously on the CTRA board of Directors as Central Director, Secretary and President-elect. I currently co-lead the Older Adult Community of Practice at the National and the provincial level. I enjoy dancing, leisurely hikes, working out, enjoying a nice cup of coffee and geeking out on journal articles within my research interests.

I am passionate about learning and finding ways to help others increase their tool box to support quality service delivery. It is my belief that through on-going professional development, self- reflection and research that we can help elevate and advance the TR profession.

Hello BCTRA Members! I am excited to be continuing my involvement with BCTRA as the Director at Large responsible for the Regulations Portfolio. I have previously been involved with BCTRA as the Northern Ambassador and as a member of the Regulations Task Group. I graduated from Brock University in the Fall of 2013 and soon after traveled from my home province of Nova Scotia to British Columbia. I am passionate about the role of Recreation Therapy in the field of mental health and substance use and have been fortunate to have worked in acute psychiatric and rehabilitation sites across the province. When not at work, I am an avid cyclist and enjoy riding Vancouver’s bike lanes. In the winter, I can be found on my skis.

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: info@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

Hello BCTRA! As a student working my way through my Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation I am SO excited to be here as Student Liaison! Already feeling inspired by this wonderful community, I can’t wait to settle in to learn and work alongside this team. I am passionate about inclusivity in the community and empowering others through wellness, and I hope to share this through the study and practice of Therapeutic Recreation!

When I’m not in class or studying TR, I can be found exploring the lower mainland area’s beautiful trails, curling up with my kitten and a book, or enjoying a good cup of coffee with friends.

I graduated with my degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 2018 while working in Long-term care. I have a passion for working with the older adult population but also found it very rewarding to learn about mental health during a practicum experience. I have worked on the coast and currently live and work within the Interior. My greatest joys are my family and spending time doing what we enjoy together; skiing, hockey and renovations are just a few of our favourite hobbies. I enjoy volunteering and have had many enriching experiences with different organizations.

Last year I assisted with the Education Committee and was honored to be nominated for the Regional Director position. I look forward to working with the board members while continuing to promote the TR career and grow as a practitioner.

As the Director at Large for Promotions, I am looking forward to my role advocating for an incredible field alongside inspiring people! I grew up in Gibsons, on the Sunshine Coast. As a kid, I was lucky to have beaches, forests and mountains nearby, and parents who recognized the value in exploring these wild places. My journey into the field started in Nova Scotia, where I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management in 2009 at Acadia University. I graduated from Douglas College in 2020 with my degree in Therapeutic Recreation and am currently working in Nanaimo, as a Recreation Coordinator in Complex Care. In my leisure time you can find me exploring the beaches, forests, mountains and rivers – I’ll never say no to a good puddle jumping opportunity!

I look forward to my time on the Board of BCTRA, to advocating for the field and to getting to know each of you!

Hello BCTRA! As a recent grad of the Douglas College Therapeutic Recreation Program, I am excited to be involved in such an important part of the field. I am passionate about moving the field of Therapeutic Recreation forward, and have special interest in working with children and families.

In my leisure time I enjoy spending the day at the beach, lifting weights in the gym, and cooking new recipes! My friends know I can never say no to a good cup of coffee, and I love trying new recreation activities. I am looking forward to my time on the board and hope to get to know more of you in the field!

I live by the Oyster River in Comox Valley, on Vancouver Island. I am very excited to support some much needed advocacy for TR in the North Island region! Currently I work for Comox Valley Family Services as an Outreach Worker. I support moms facing various challenges in a pre/postnatal health & wellness program. I have previously worked in a wide variety of settings and with most populations. Connecting with older adults through TR has been a true gift, and I also very much enjoy the dynamic field of mental health. My specialty areas are nature/ horticultural therapy and end of life / grief work.

I completed my bachelor degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Douglas College, after which I obtained my CTRS designation. I also have a certificate in horticulture as well as community counseling.

My leisure time often consists of reading a book by my woodstove, photographing wildflowers, foraging for mushrooms, playing with my cat Cholo, and shakin it on the dance floor!

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: regionalambassadors@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

Jane is originally from Nova Scotia. She grew up on a military base and graduated from Concordia University in Recreation. She has a wonder husband and two beautiful girls.  She loves skiing, quilting, canning, gardening, exercising, hiking, travelling and the list goes on.

My name is Jennifer Davis, I was raised in Northern British Columbia and I began my career in 2009 when I graduated from the College of New Caledonia with a certificate in Long term Care/Home support.

I worked for The Northern Health Authority in both a Long Term Care facility and in 3 Mental Health and Addiction group homes. In 2013, I continued my studies and completed a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Saskatchewan Polytechnic (SIAST).

In 2015 my husband and I moved to Kelowna and I began working as a Recreation Therapy Worker at the Interior Health Authority and Baptist Housing. I am planning on continuing my education as I am passionate about Therapeutic Recreation as a profession and helping those in need.

A few of my interests and hobbies include hiking, gardening, painting, baking, camping, fishing and spending time with my family.

After volunteering with the Education Committee, I am excited to join the board as the Vancouver Coastal Region Ambassador. I hope to engage members in this region to connect and collaborate.

I am a Douglas College graduate with a CTRS designation. I have experience in mental health and substance use, child and youth, as well as older adults in long-term care settings. I am constantly learning about new ways to support my clients to advocate for them and various social justice issues such as supporting the safe consumption of drugs. I love to provide safe, inclusive, trauma-informed programs using my creativity. I love taking every learning opportunity and just finished training in Motivational Interviewing skills, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy basics.

My hobbies include maintaining my indoor jungle of tropical plants, knitting, embroidery and other fibre arts projects. I will never say no to a local East Vancouver coffee shop visit, love taking deep breaths in the forest for spiritual connection and try to support my community where I can, to create safe spaces for positive mental health and LGBTQ+ issues. And finally, I am a new bird watcher who loves to identify hawks!