Recreation Therapists of Indiana, Inc.

President: Juanakee Durden, CTRS

Juanakee has over 11 years of experience in the field. Her professional journey includes a 10-month tenure as a Behavior Consultant, where she applied her expertise in Analytical Behavior Analysis to support individuals in need. Juanakee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Grand Valley State University, a Master’s of Science Degree in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University, and a Master's of Art with an emphasis in Analytical Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Juanakee has extensive experience across several sectors, including Parks and Recreation, Treatment and Detention Centers for Sex Offenders, Behavioral Health Facilities, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Centers, and Community Recreation Programs. This broad range of experiences has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic recreation and behavior analysis, enabling her to effectively support and rehabilitate diverse populations.

Past-President: Lori Schweyer, CTRS

Lori graduated from Indiana Tech in 2006. Before graduating, Lori completed her internship on the transitional care unit of what was then St. Joe Hospital in Fort Wayne. After obtaining her CTRS credentials, Lori began working on the Indiana Medicaid Waiver in 2008. After holding multiple positions in the field, including Director of Recreation Therapy and Internship Supervisor, Lori went on to become one of the three founders and owners of New Leaf Recreation LLC in 2019. Lori continues to provide recreational therapy services for individual with disabilities to this day. Lori has a passion for helping others and for the field of therapeutic recreation. She hopes that through her position held on the RTI board she can make an impact on recreation therapy in Indiana through advocation of the profession and its practitioners.

President-Elect: Bailey Harkins, MS, CTRS 

Bailey graduated from Indiana University in 2020 with a Masters in Recreational Therapy, where she received the Lebert H. Weir Masters Student Award and the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Recreational Therapy. She currently works on the Indiana Medicaid waiver in Indianapolis in a community-based setting, working with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Along with being a CTRS, Bailey has three other certifications in Bibliotherapy, Chair Chi, and Chair One Fitness.

Secretary: Autumn Dishroon, CTRS

Autumn became a CTRS in 2020 after completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy at Indiana University in Bloomington. She has since been working on the Indiana Medicaid waiver where she works as a community-based recreational therapist serving individuals with disabilities. Autumn is a Qualified Internship Supervisor certified through ATRA and she also holds certifications in ChairOne and Chair Chi. In Autumn’s free time, she enjoys spending time outside, preferably camping or at the lake with her family and friends, wokring in her garden with her mom, visiting local farmers markets on the weekend, and spending time at home with her two cats.

Treasurer: Lydia Miller, CTRS

Lydia Miller is a graduate of the University of Toledo. She fell in love with the profession of Recreational Therapy through her courses and her fieldwork experience throughout her time in the program. Lydia had the opportunity to intern at New Leaf Recreation, LLC and accepted a position as a Recreational Therapist post-graduation. 

Lydia is honored to step into the role of Treasurer for the Recreational Therapy Association! Lydia is passionate about providing leisure opportunities to all and believes that engaging in activities that you love lead to a happy and fulfilled life. Lydia is excited to be a part of an association that strives to improve and strengthen a career that she loves so deeply. 

Member at Large: Cassidy Honeycutt, CTRS

Cassidy graduated from East Carolina University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy and also Minored in Psychology. Since gaining her CTRS certification she has been a therapist on the Indiana Medicaid waiver working for New Leaf Recreation LLC for 3 years working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disorders. She has a passion for using her career and skill set to advocate for inclusion for all and making everyone feel accepted no matter her background. She enjoys getting to watch her clients grow and flourish over time and expressing themselves as individuals. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Bradley and two dogs, Gabby and Zara, going to the race track with her boyfriend’s family or enjoying a nice weekend at home watching a TV series or traveling.

Member at Large: Haley Ochoa, CTRS

Haley graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy in 2020 and was an active member of the Recreational Therapy Club. Haley has been a CTRS working under the waiver for 3 years and has over 5 years of experience as a DSP. Haley is particularly fond of working with those who have severe intellectual or developmental disabilities to be able to increase their quality of life as well as promote inclusivity within their community. When she is not working, Haley can be found spending time with her boyfriend, Ron, taking care of her fur babies, and tending to her plants.

Member at Large: Angelica Dowdell, CTRS 

Angelica earned her Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management with a concentration in Recreational Therapy from Indiana State University in 2015. A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), she has spent the past decade working under the Medicaid waiver in community-based settings, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a passion for advocacy and professional growth, Angelica has served as Secretary on the Recreational Therapy Indiana (RTI) board for two years. She is committed to continuing her work on the board to advance the field of recreational therapy and empower fellow CTRSs across the state.

Member at Large: Sheila Bender, CTRS

This May, I am proud to celebrate 35 years as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist—a milestone that reflects my lifelong passion for helping others through recreation therapy. Born and raised in Illinois, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. My professional journey has always been rooted in Physical Rehabilitation, where I find great purpose in helping individuals rebuild their strength, adjust to new leisure lifestyles, and cope with life’s changes. Currently, I serve as a Program Manager within the Prospective Payment System Department at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), and I also work part-time as a Recreational Therapist at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL. There, I contribute to the Inpatient Physical Rehab Unit on weekends and facilitate a Stroke Support Group for survivors and their families. Throughout my career, I’ve been an active member of the Illinois Recreation Therapy Association, serving as Northern Regional Chair and assisting with numerous conferences and initiatives. Now a resident of Lake Village, Indiana in Newton County, I’ve been proud to be a part of RTI (Recreational Therapists of Indiana) for the past two and a half years. This opportunity allows me to connect with professionals across state lines, and I am excited to continue contributing to both state organizations. I am passionate about collaboration, advocacy, and lifelong learning in the field of therapeutic recreation—and I always look forward to meeting new colleagues and supporting our shared mission.

Member at Large: Trisha Bell, CTRS

Trisha graduated from East Carolina University with her Bachelors of Science degree in Recreational Therapy in 2021. After graduation, Trisha has been working on the Indiana Medicaid Waiver as a Recreational Therapist for New Leaf Recreation and is continuing to build her skills as a therapist and individual. In November of 2023, Trisha was promoted as an Onboarding Trainer. Trisha is a go-getter and ambitious individual who has a passion for helping others work towards achieving their goals. She enjoys being able to watch her clients grow and prosper over time as Recreational Therapy can be a lifelong service. In her free time, Trisha enjoys reading, going to the lake, and spending time with her pups Maggie and Sadie, her fiancé Trevor, and friends/family. Trisha is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys many sports such as softball/baseball, basketball, and football.