Reigniting the Fire
Crystal Watson

Let’s face it! The full potential for the TR profession in Canada has yet to be reached. Challenges pop up that make it seem like moving TR forward is not possible and at times can make professionals feel like they are not valued. From clinical to community-based settings, many opportunities exist for TR professionals to increase the breadth and depth of their practice. There is no better time than now to highlight the importance of recreation to improving the health of the public. This session will present ways to increase the credibility and visibility of the profession and individual practice in a fun, meaningful and exciting way that will inspire and reignite your fire for the profession.

Crystal has spent the last 20 plus years in the recreation field working with individuals from various backgrounds. She attended Saint Mary’s University for her psychology undergrad degree before heading to Dalhousie for her Bachelor degree in therapeutic recreation followed by a Master of Arts degree in Leisure Studies. She practiced as a Recreation Therapist for 10 years in the areas of transitional care, physical medicine and rehabilitation (SCI and MSK), neurosurgery and in junior high schools. She began teaching at Dalhousie as a sessional instructor which was when she developed an interest in post-secondary education. Prior to her current role as Executive Director for Recreation Nova Scotia, she was the lead core faculty at the Nova Scotia Community College teaching the Therapeutic Recreation Diploma Program where she completed a full program curriculum revision. She is currently enrolled in doctoral studies at Dalhousie pursuing her research interest in understanding the play experiences of African Nova Scotian girls.