In this episode, we will learn from Karen Keptner, Ph.D., OTR/L. She is an Associate Professor and the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at Cleveland State University. She frequently works with individuals who are at risk of dropping out of post-secondary studies. In the last few years, she has developed a credit-bearing skill-building course for students returning to campus following a medical withdrawal, introduced occupational therapy as a service on campus, and provided direct occupational therapy services to undergraduate and graduate students referred by the Office of Disability Services. She also works with aged-out foster youth, addressing ‘exposure gaps’ they experience as they transition from adolescents to adults. As a faculty member, she advocates for inclusive teaching practices and addressing systematic barriers that hinder student success. In her free time, she likes to travel, read books, and spend time with her family.

Contact & Resources:

My business name is "The College OT". I have a website - you can find me at keptnerot.com or collegeot.com. I am also mostly on LinkedIn (just cannot get the time to do others at the moment) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-keptner-phd-otrl/

I am always happy to connect through email at kkeptner@gmail.com (and never be offended to send me a reminder email - it is something I just cannot keep up with sometimes!)

I just came out with a book "Primer for OT Professionals in Higher Education". It explores the basic structure of higher education campuses and ways OTPs can find a unique gap in a campus near them. It is only $20 and I am promising anyone who purchases by August 31, 2023, a free copy of the next version (already in process). I put this book out to get an idea of what OTPs are looking for in the practice area -and see if there is interest. So, using the book as a way to design other things down the road as well.

I am also finishing up a practical workbook to use with students - it can be used by OTs, school and transition counselors, etc.

I do a blog at collegeot.com (I am not great at posting but there are some helpful blog posts in there - for people working with adolescents/young adults as well).

I am just listing a bibliography of my professional journal articles here - I am happy to give people access to the pre-print version of most of these if they contact me.

Eichler, J. & Keptner, K.M. (online, May 2023). Defining Occupational Therapy practice with higher education populations: A census of practitioners in an emerging space. British Journal of Occupational Therapy https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226231168008

Heath, M. & Keptner, K.M. (accepted January 2023). The impact of belonging and discrimination on psychological well-being among transitioning adults: A study using the Panel Survey for Income Dynamics Transition Supplement. Current Psychology

Keptner, K. M. (2017). Long-term follow-up of an occupation-based group addressing occupational performance and satisfaction in university freshmen. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 33(4), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2017.1331150

Keptner, K. M. (2019). Relationship between occupational performance measures and adjustment in a sample of university students. Journal of Occupational Science, 26(1), 6-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2018.1539409

Keptner, K.M., Fitzgibbon, C., & O’Sullivan, J. (2021). Effectiveness of anxiety reduction interventions on state anxiety: A comparison of four techniques incorporating sensory modulation. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 84(5), 289-297. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022620935061

Keptner, K. M., Harris,A., Mellyn,J., Neff,N., Rassie,N., & Thompson,K. (2016). Occupational therapy services to promote occupational performance, performance satisfaction, and quality of life in university freshmen: A pilot study. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 32(2), 185-202. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2015.1135094

Keptner, K.M., Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Jalaba, T., Nawotniak, S., & Cozzolino, M. (accepted March,2023). Preparing and responding to the current mental health “Tsunami”: Embracing Mary Reilly’s call to action. American Journal of Occupational Therapy

Keptner, K. M. & Rogers, R. (2019). Competence and satisfaction in occupational performance among a sample of university students: An exploratory study. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research: Occupation, Participation, and Health, 39(4). 204-212. https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449218813702

Keptner, K.M., & McCarthy, K. (2020). Mapping occupational therapy with post-secondary students: A scoping review. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 8(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1617

Keptner, K.M. & McCarthy, K. (2020). Disruption of academic occupations during COVID-19: impact on mental health and the role of occupational therapy in tertiary education. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 76(2),78-81. https://doi.org/10.1080/14473828.2020.1822575

Book chapter

Eichler, J. & Keptner, K.M. (May 2023). Transitions and their implications across the lifespan for the OT in Primary Care in Primary Care Occupational Therapy. Day, M., Smith, K., Dahl Popolizio, S., Muir, S., & Manaard, W. (eds.) Springer, Inc.

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn

USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your Membership Today!

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

In this special episode, we will learn from Naomi Mattanick, MS, OTR/L & Brooke Tubbs, OTD, OTR/L, two occupational therapists practicing in Surf Therapy.

Naomi Mattanick, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration therapy, surf therapy, and childhood and infant development. “Kids are amazing and dynamic individuals. Yet, they have a lot to conquer. In my years of experience, I have served infants to early adolescents in a variety of areas including sensory processing, physical and emotional regulation, organization of behavior and attention, acquisition of vital motor milestones, motor coordination development, and oral-motor therapy for feeding. My mission is for each caregiver and child to feel understood and empowered as they are equipped with life-long tools. My passion is to see children feel joy as they playfully develop a strong identity and sense of self through the skills and knowledge they have obtained.”

Brooke Tubbs, OTD, OTR/L is a recent graduate from Northern Arizona’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. She now lives and practices as an acute care OT in a community hospital and as a surf therapist in Rhode Island. Brooke graduated from Alma College in Michigan with a B.S in Integrative Physiology and Health Science and a Minor in Spanish. After graduation, Brooke was a U.S Fulbright Scholar in the Philippines, performing research on Filipino teacher’s perceptions of inclusive education practices. During her OTD program, Brooke participated in a research residency in the Philippines, working with an interdisciplinary team to create an immersive research project surrounding multi-modal perceptions of aging. She also completed a graduate research certificate through the University of South Florida, in partnership with NAU, in Translational Research Education in Adolescent Behavioral Health. With this project Brooke worked with peers to develop a life skills curriculum and assessments for youth aging out of foster care; she is passionate about this work and continues to be involved in projects related to it. She is involved with additional research projects relating to CRPS and sensory processing and practice scholarship for OTs. Brooke will complete an additional graduate research certificate in the spring of 2023 on the topic of Culturally Competent Addictions Research Training. Brooke’s intentional drive for the unknown led her to becoming a surf therapist in Rhode Island. She has a recently published article in the OT Practice Magazine titled “Riding the Wave: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Surf Therapy”. Brooke has large aspirations for promoting OT’s work in uncommon settings, practicing at the full scope of her license, and transitioning to a role in academia down the line.

Contact & Resources:

Naomi:

The number one place to find me and see my current work is on my Instagram : @hang_ten_therapeutics which directs you to my website and shares all of my offerings. This has my contact information.

Brooke:

You can email me (bmt263@nau.edu) or follow me on Instagram (@brooketubbs), Facebook (Brooke Tubbs) or on Twitter (@brooketubbs). You can also follow Gnome Surf (@GnomeSurf) or ISTO (@intlsurftherapyorg). You can reach out to me with ideas, partnerships, questings, really anything!

https://intlsurftherapy.org/

https://www.gnomesurf.com/

https://tedx.ucla.edu/project/carly_rogers_surfing_infinite_possibilities_to_heal/

“Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Makes You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do” by Wallace Nichols.

Rogers, C. M., Mallinson, T., & Peppers, D. (2014). High-intensity sports for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression: Feasibility study of ocean therapy with veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, 395–404. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.011221

Moore, A. M., Clapham, E. D., & Deeney, T. A. (2017). Parents’ perspectives on surf therapy for children with disabilities. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2017.1400660F

Benninger, E., Curtis, C., Sarkisian, G. V., Rogers, C. M., Bender, K., & Comer, M. (2020). Surf therapy: A scoping review of the qualitative and quantitative research evidence. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 11(2), 1–26.

https://www.aota.org/publications/ot-practice/ot-practice-issues/2023/riding-the-wave-ots-role-in-surf-therapy

NAU Foster Youth Program

https://crowdfund.foundationnau.org/project/21729

Listen - Foster Youth Stories

https://www.amazon.com/Listen-Stories-We-Carry-House-ebook/dp/B09YYTLB2V?asin=B09YYTLB2V&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1

Another inspiring episode, as always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 30% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership in the month of August!

Use the Link: picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOT

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this special episode, we will learn from Quinn Tyminski, OTD, OTR/L, BCMH & Serena Blank, MOT, OTR/L, two occupational therapists working with Individuals experiencing homelessness.

Quinn Tyminski, OTD, OTR/L, BCMH currently serves as an instructor in the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Tyminski earned her master's degree in occupational therapy from Washington University in 2012 and her Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in 2017 from Saint Louis University. Her clinical practice experience is in the area of community-based mental health practice, where she served as the occupational therapist for a transitional housing program for men experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and homelessness and spent a year as the clinical director coordinating occupational therapy services and students. As part of her doctoral work, Dr. Tyminski introduced occupational therapy services to a local homeless shelter through the use of Level II fieldwork students. Following the success of the program, Dr. Tyminski opened an outpatient student experiential learning clinic in collaboration with St. Patrick Center in downtown St. Louis in 2018. The Community Independence Occupational Therapy Clinic continues to provide occupational therapy services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Dr. Tyminski's research focuses on improving occupational participation and quality of life for populations experiencing marginalization through providing occupation-based services targeted at improving life skills and community reintegration. She collaborates with local community agencies to provide programming to address concerns of occupational justice related to increased participation in survival occupations among those experiencing mental illness, homelessness, or recent return to the community from incarceration. She is also currently in the process of obtaining her Ph.D. in Education at Washington University in St. Louis.

Serena Blank, MOT, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist at the St. Patrick Center, an organization that works to increase access to sustainable housing, employment, and healthcare in the St. Louis region. In prior roles, she completed a Fellowship in psychosocial rehabilitation at the VA in Durham, NC. The program assisted Veterans experiencing serious mental illness. Upon returning to St. Louis, she worked for Saint Louis University’s Transformative Justice Initiative. She provided occupational therapy services to people incarcerated and supported their reentry back into the community. Her unique lens of occupations in marginalized populations helps her advocate for change in health and human service systems. She holds two degrees from Saint Louis University including a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science and a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy.

Contact & Resources:

Email:

Quinn at tyminskiq@wustl.edu

Serena at blank.serena@gmail.com

LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/in/serena-blank-a33183156

https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinn-tyminski-574621254/

Occupational Therapy for the Homeless

https://www.ted.com/talks/quinn_tyminski_occupational_therapy_for_the_homeless

Quinn’s Medbridge course on working with individuals experiencing homelessness https://www.medbridge.com/course-catalog/details/homelessness-health-care-practitioners-quinn-tyminski/

The Development of a Role-Emerging Fieldwork Placement in a Homeless Shelter

https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol2/iss2/7/

Occupational Therapy Student-Run Free Clinic: Mutual Benefits in Expanded Homeless and Health Services and Clinical Skills Development”, Journal of Student-Run Clinics, 7(1). doi: 10.59586/jsrc.v7i1.248.

Drummond, R., Koziol, C., Yeats, H. and Tyminski, Q. (2021)

https://journalsrc.org/index.php/jsrc/article/view/248

St. Patrick Center

https://www.stpatrickcenter.org/

Washington University, St Louis – Program in Occupational Therapy

https://www.ot.wustl.edu/education/directed-scholarship/community-independence-occupational-therapy-program-569

Another inspiring episode, as always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this fun mini-episode, we will kick off my 2nd Year Podcast Anniversary celebration. Get to know me and some of my uncommon OT guests just a little bit more through a series of bonus questions. You will hear about some of our favorite occupations, our OT Elevator speeches, our favorite parts about being an Occupational Therapist, and the individuals who inspire us.  Can you guess the names of these featured guests? To continue the celebration throughout the month of August I look forward to presenting you with 2 inspiring episodes, each episode with 2 rockstar occupational therapy practitioner guests who are currently practicing in the same non-traditional, emerging practice and uncommon setting.

Resources:

Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA  Episode #30

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series/inspiration-m56ww-b4d6e-k2jgx-ebldc-9eh3t-lyr8d-hazhm-y2ldg-k3j9h-wfgjr-9b79a-r36h9-z3fca-8ay2w-azmnp-jl3wr-cha3w-9325f-w83sd-se5zj-lhapg-74ljk-b8rbj-td3fk-mppa4-7xk54-t97nw

Carlyn Neek, OT Link Episode #24

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series/inspiration-m56ww-b4d6e-k2jgx-ebldc-9eh3t-lyr8d-hazhm-y2ldg-k3j9h-wfgjr-9b79a-r36h9-z3fca-8ay2w-azmnp-jl3wr-cha3w-9325f-w83sd-se5zj-lhapg-74ljk

Lauren Sheehan, OTD, OTR/L Episode #15

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series/inspiration-m56ww-b4d6e-k2jgx-ebldc-9eh3t-lyr8d-hazhm-y2ldg-k3j9h-wfgjr-9b79a-r36h9-z3fca 

Mental Health Task Force Episode #43

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series/w5cccznfxllnw9f-g7zzj-4n58b-elpep-la2a4-msd2r-nbpr4-rfbrl

New York State Occupational Therapy Association – Mental Health Task Force

https://www.nysota.org/page/MHTF

Anniversary Contest Details:

• Name the 7 Uncommon OT guests featured in this episode. 

• Submit Your Answers on Instagram @transitionsOT

• Win Uncommon OT Stickers & Swag if you are one of the First 3 to Answer Correctly, Best of Luck friends!

Another inspiring episode, as always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Hiral Khatri, OTD, OTR/L. Hiral is a highly respected and accomplished occupational therapist with over 13 years of experience in the field who holds a variety of leadership roles. She is known for her integrity, innovative approach to therapy, and her unwavering commitment to supporting and advocating for her patients and her profession. Throughout her career, Dr. Khatri has consistently demonstrated her dedication to improving the lives of individuals of all ages through occupational therapy. She is highly skilled at developing customized treatment plans that are tailored to the unique needs and goals of her patients and is always seeking out new and innovative methods to enhance their progress. One of Dr. Khatri’s greatest achievements is the founding of OT Park, a pediatric occupational therapy practice that provides vital services to children in need. Under Dr. Khatri’s leadership, OT Park has grown into a respected and successful practice, and has helped countless children improve their quality of life through occupational therapy. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Khatri is also deeply committed to advancing the field of occupational therapy through education and advocacy. She currently serves as a lecturer at San Jose State University, where she teaches pediatric occupational therapy, and is also the Region 3 Director for the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). Dr. Khatri is also an AOTPAC Ambassador and holds the position of Membership Chair for the Association for Asian Pacific Islanders in Occupational Therapy. She is also a respected mentor in the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD). Dr. Khatri’s contributions to the healthcare industry have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. She has been named one of the top 100 visionaries in the field, received an entrepreneur of the year award from OTAC and most recently received the Force for Good Award 2023 by University of St Augustine, Florida. Outside of work, Dr. Khatri is passionate about giving back to her community and making a positive impact in the world. She is an avid supporter of various causes and charities and is always looking for new ways to make a difference.

Show Key Points:

• Hiral shares a little about herself and some of her favorite occupations

• She describes her current uncommon OT roles and responsibilities

• She describes her path and what inspired her to do lead

• She shares challenges and successes in her current roles

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides resources and contact information

Contact & Resources:

Instagram: @otparkbox

Facebook: hiral.khatri or facebook.com/otparkbox

Twitter: @otparkbox

Linked in: OT Park or Hiral Khatri

Email: Hiral@otpark.

Website: https://otpark.com/blog/

Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC)

https://www.otaconline.org/

Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD)

https://www.cotad.org/

Asian Pacific Heritage Occupational Therapy Association (APHOTA)

https://asianot.org/

Another inspiring episode, as always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Alondra Ammon, MOT, OTR/L. Alondra is an occupational therapist who works in community-based mental health and specializes in housing stability & retention. She is a 1st-generation Salvadorean/Haitian American from Maryland. Alondra learned to overcome adversity and strive despite the challenges of being raised alongside her seven siblings by her single parent, her mother, who immigrated from El Salvador. After high school, Alondra enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, working as a dental assistant and hygienist. During her time in the military, she discovered a passion for helping others in the healthcare field. She graduated with her B.S. in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University and her Master’s in occupational therapy from Samuel Merritt University. During graduate school, Alondra served as the co-president for S.O.T.A. and helped raise over $3,000 for local community outreach and AOTPAC. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Outstanding Student Award and was selected to participate in the Emerging Leaders Development Program through the American Occupational Therapy Association. Currently, Alondra is pursuing her Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman's University and was recently awarded a graduate fellowship called WoMentoring, designed to support women in leadership and research. Her dissertation topic is centered around exploring how learning is influenced by racial/ethnic bias towards students of color during Level II fieldwork. With an increased demand to diversify the profession, Alondra hopes to create equitable and inclusive resources to support the recruitment and retention of graduate students of color and bring more awareness to help mitigate health disparities.

Show Key Points:

• Alondra shares a little about herself and some of her favorite occupations

• She describes her current uncommon OT work and whom she serves

• She describes her path and what inspired her to do this type of work

• She shares challenges and successes in her current role

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides her resources and contact information

Contact & Resources:

My social media handles: IG & FB @AlondraLaOT

Ways to keep up with my "doings": https://linktr.ee/AlondraLaOT

Suggested readings/Articles:

- A systematic review of occupational therapy interventions in the transition from homelessness

- Occupational experiences of homelessness: A systematic review and meta-aggregation

Books: The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog

(Dr. Bruce Perry)- https://a.co/d/aSqG8BB Dopamine -

(Dr. Anna Lembke)- https://a.co/d/dTUFQHg

Websites: AOTA - https://www.aota.org/practice/clinical-topics/mental-health California

Supportive Housing- https://www.hcd.ca.gov/grants-funding/active-funding/docs/housing-first-fact-sheet.pdf

The Psychiatric Occupational Therapy Action Coalition (POTAC) https://www.potac.org/

Telemundo https://www.telemundoareadelabahia.com/ott-videos-local/t48-al-momento-esta-manana-aterrizo-el-avion-con-la-vicepresidenta-kamala-harris/2314398/

Another inspiring episode, as always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Allie Karagozian, MS, OTR/L. Allie is an occupational therapist who specializes in Fertility Health. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Michael, and their two sons. Allie earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and her Master’s degree in occupational therapy from Grand Valley State University in West Michigan. She has worked for the past seven years as an occupational therapist in Chicago. She began her career at a community hospital on the South Side of the city working in a behavioral health unit and an inpatient rehabilitation unit. For the past six years, she has worked in a large academic medical center in the in-patient rehabilitation and acute care settings. Her passion within her field has been in promoting health literacy. Allie is the founder of Holding Both, a business created to support women experiencing secondary infertility through 1:1 support, group sessions, and community building. Allie has experienced infertility during motherhood herself. She sees a great opportunity to be of support by helping women identify the unique barriers that they may face during this process. Allie knows that there is complexity in holding both the joys of parenting and the pain of infertility at the same time. She plans to launch her podcast in June of this year.

Show Key Points:

• Allie describes her current uncommon OT work and whom she serves

• She describes her path and what inspired her to do this type of work

• She describes how she applies her OT lens in this non-traditional setting

• She shares her challenges and successes as an OT Entrepreneur

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides her resources and contact information

Contact & Resources:

To directly reach me: allie@holdingbothllc.com 

My Instagram page @holdingboth (www.instagram.com/holdingboth) 

My website www.holdingbothllc.com

My podcast will actually be launching in September, Stay Tuned!

Another inspiring episode, as always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L and Occupational Therapist who is a speaker and producer of TEDx Events. Bill has been practicing occupational therapy for 10 years. His primary setting is in skilled nursing facility settings. He also is an adjunct instructor and thesis advisor for Stanbridge University's MSOT program as well as an active member of AOTA. He has served in the Representative Assembly in 2017-2020, Volunteer Leadership Development Committee in 2020-2022, and currently is a co-facilitator for the Autism community of practice group. Bill is also an OT conference junkie, as he has attended 50 OT conferences inside and outside of the United States thus far in his career. Finally, aside from having 3 TEDx talks under his name as a speaker, Bill has been an active TEDx event licensee since 2018. He has produced 23 TEDx talks as of this recording and is planning to produce more in the coming years.

Show Key Points:

• Bill tells us about some of his favorite occupations

• He describes his current uncommon OT work and whom he serves

• He describes his path and vision for occupational therapy

• He provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• He provides resources and his contact information

Resources & Contact:

TEDxHub- TED’s version of CommunOT. https://tedxhub.ted.com/login

Solving for x podcast- podcast on tips and tricks on organizing TEDx events. https://on.soundcloud.com/kvusd

TEDxCommunity Hangout recordings (you can access them once you are able to get into TEDxHub)- more tips and tricks on organizing TEDx events

Twitter: @BillWongOT

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-wong-24492a18

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsor Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Joy Doll, OTD, OTR/L. Dr. Doll is an occupational therapist who specializes in Informatics. In 2023, she launched her own consulting firm to support organizations to bridge health care and social care, Hello Better Healthcare, LLC. She is Associate Professor and Program Director of Health Informatics at Creighton University. Prior to launching Hello Better Healthcare, Dr. Doll was the Vice President of Community Programs for CyncHealth. In this role, Joy supported cross-sector partnerships to build a social determinants of health ecosystem that includes community-based organizations, health information technology, 211 and health care organizations. She led the first EHR integration of health care and social care in the state of Nebraska. She is a passionate advocate for health equity supporting programs like the Health and Dwelling, a Medical Respite for the Homeless and the Greater Omaha Pathways Hub. 

Prior to joining CyncHealth, Joy served as the Inaugural Executive Director for establishing the Center for Interprofessional Education and Research (CIPER) where she was engaged with CHI Health to develop, establish, and study an interprofessional clinical learning environment. She was the Vice Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at Creighton University. During her time at the CU, she was also the director of a Post Professional OTD Program where she was responsible for recruitment and retention of students, managing student issues, and maintaining program excellence. 

Joy is author of the textbook Grant Writing and Program Development for Occupational Therapy Practitioners: Making the Connection and over 50 book chapters or peer reviewed journal publications. She is a sought after pocaster and speaker including the 2018 TEDx Talk entitled Cultivating Collaboration in Health Care: The Journey of an Accidental Expert. Joy earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree in 2003 from Creighton University. In May 2022, she completed a miniMBA from University of Arizona as a recipient of the Common Spirit Equity Impact Scholarship.

Show Key Points:

• Joy shares about her background and some of her favorite occupations

• She describes what inspires her to do this work

• She describes her current uncommon OT work

• She describes her path and vision

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides valuable resources and her contact information

Resources & Contact:

Twitter: @joyot

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-doll-80581876

Website www.hellobetterhealthcare.com

Email me joy@hellobetterhealthcare.com

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsor Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Ashley Reina, BSc. OT. Ashley is an Occupational Therapist in Health Technology who builds practice management and electronic medical record software. She is a graduate of Univ of Alberta in 2005. She has worked in pediatrics most of her career with a love for private practice. She is a visionary and lifelong learner with superpowers including awareness and vulnerability, which makes room for lots of self-reflections and growth opportunities in life. She is a mom to 3 littles, 2 boys 11, 8 and 1 girl - 8 months old. Throughout her day, she loves to build in moments of yoga, meditation, walking and swimming. She loves the water and being by the water, swimming, paddle boarding, and just watching.

Show Key Points:

• Ashley tells us about her background and some of her favorite occupations

• She describes what inspired her to do this work

• She describes her current uncommon OT work and whom he serves

• She describes her path and vision

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides valuable resources and her contact information

Resources & Contact:

FB - https://www.facebook.com/TherabyteApp

Insta - https://www.instagram.com/therabyteapp/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-reina-03b811146/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/therabyte/ https://therabyte.app

Email: ashley@therabyte.ca

6 minute demo - http://bit.ly/Therabyte-6-minute-demo

Connect for a discovery call - https://tidycal.com/therabyteapp/therabyte-discovery-call

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Dr. Sakshi Tickoo (she/her). Sakshi is a brown, queer Occupational Therapist and Sexuality counselor from Mumbai, India working in the areas of sexuality, relationships, and mental health across the lifespan. She is the founder of Sex, Love, And OT—an inclusive, educational telehealth platform that focuses on sexual rights and liberation through education, centering pleasure, and facilitating freedom of occupational engagement in sexuality for people globally. She is also the author of SexCare—a self-help guide designed for solo and partnered pleasure through the use of sensations and self-care routine. Other aspects of her work include collaborating with other allies, advocates, educators, and NGOs around the world to advance sexuality education and research, sex worker and assault/abuse survivor healthcare, and advocating for sexuality in Occupational Therapy & Sciences across various practice areas and settings. In her spare time, she combines her love for technology, art, and sexuality through content creation, writing, and curating resources on Instagram.

Show Key Points:

• Sakshi tells us about her background and favorite occupations

• She describes what inspired her to do this work

• She describes her current uncommon OT work and whom he serves

• She describes her path and vision

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides valuable resources and her contact information

Resources and Contact:

The best way to connect with me is via my email: sex.love.andot@gmail.com.

Other ways to stay in touch or follow my work include:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sex.love.andot/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SexLoveAndOT/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sexloveandot

Website: https://www.sexloveandot.com/

Email: sex.love.andot@gmail.com

SexCare Book: https://www.amazon.com/SexCare-Dr-Sakshi-Tickoo/dp/9393809909

Horn OT Please (Podcast): https://anchor.fm/hornotplease

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from David Merlo, MS, COTA/L, CPRP, ROH. He is an OTP and is managing director of Restoration Society,Inc, a peer-operated community mental health agency Buffalo, NY founded upon the recovery vision that all individuals can lead active lives filled with hope and satisfaction and make valuable contributions to our community. For 8 years prior he was the founding director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Bryant and Stratton College in Rochester, NY. Prior to that, he was professor and academic fieldwork coordinator for over 18 years at Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY. Trained through Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, David is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) in addition to being a licensed COTA. He completed graduate studies in assistive and rehabilitation technology at University at Buffalo OT Department and Center for Assistive Technology (CAT). He earned an MS degree at Buffalo State College, focusing on adult education with emphasis on technology and supporting students with disabilities. David has presented at numerous conferences and co-authored articles on psychiatric rehabilitation, mental health recovery, assistive technology, and the role of occupational therapy assistants in clinical and community practice. He currently serves on the board of Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation, an organization that supports the first and only school in Haiti with four-year degree programs in both OT and PT. He serves in a leadership capacity with the Consortium of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Educators, an interprofessional community of practice. He is a past director of AOTA Board of Directors, and a past representative of the AOTA Representative Assembly. He has served in numerous leadership and volunteer capacities within New York State Occupational Therapy Association.

Show Key Points:

• David tells us about his background and favorite occupations

• He describes what inspired him to do this work

• He describes his current uncommon OT work and whom he serves

• He describes his path and vision for occupational therapy

• He provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• He provides resources and his contact information

RESOURCES:

http://www.davidmerlo.com/ (my personal website)

https://www.haitirehab.org/ (I'm on the board of Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation) Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation (HRF) is a non-profit, 501c3 organization founded with the mission of educating Haitians in the art and science of Physical and Occupational Therapy.

https://cpr.bu.edu/ Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College: Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. This center has led much of the research and development of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Model

https://helpinghandsandbeyond.org/ A nonprofit humanitarian organization established and dedicated to educate and promote wellness, by encouraging and stimulating healing and recovery. The organization's primary project is Clinic Du Nazareen which provides general health care services, rehabilitation, community development, and mobile clinics throughout Miragoane, Haiti and the surrounding villages. My friend Bergson Louis Jacques, OTR, is the director. I've traveled with him several times to Haiti to help with their clinic.

https://rsiwny.org/ Restoration Society, Inc. (where I serve as Managing Director). Restoration Society, Inc. programs are peer empowered rehabilitation communities founded upon the recovery vision that all individuals can lead active lives filled with hope and satisfaction and make valuable contributions to our community.

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Amber Edwards, OTR/L, RKC (she/her) an occupational therapist who specializes in Fitness & Kettlebell Training. Amber graduated from Ithaca College from the BS/MS Occupational Therapy program in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Currently, she is a Travel Occupational Therapist in NYC working with the geriatric population in SNFs. In addition to being an OT, Amber is also passionate about fitness. At Ithaca College, Amber was a 2x All-American hurdler and captain on the Women’s Track and Field team and currently enjoys strength training with kettlebells as a Certified Russian Kettlebell Coach (RKC) and Dynamic Sports Performance Certified Coach (DSPCC). Amber is also a podcaster as she created her own podcast in 2020 called “Reaching your pOTential”. The initial mission of the podcast was to present her individual experiences as a new grad OT, but has transitioned now to empower and highlight other people of color (POC) in OT and beyond. Overall, the vision of the podcast is to engage and inspire all OTPs and others to reach their fullest potential in life.

Show Key Points:

• Amber tells us about her background and favorite occupations

• She describes what inspired her to do this work and her path

• She describes her uncommon OT work and whom she serves

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides direction, resources and his contact information

CONTACT & RESOURCES:

IG: @thick.amb.fit

Email: a.edwards.otrl@gmail.com

Website: www.thickambfit.com

Turkish Get Up Manual: https://www.thickambfit.com/shop/p/turkish-get-up-manual

Training Consultation: https://www.thickambfit.com/shop/p/training-consultation

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot 

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsor Picmonic. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.  .

In this episode, we will learn from Cheryl Albright, OTR/L an occupational therapist who specializes in Yoga Therapy.  Cheryl grew up with an older brother with autism and an aunt with down syndrome. She began working with the disability community when she was 14 at Rotary Camp Onsewaya. She is a graduate of East Carolina University and has been an occupational therapist for 20 years. She began using yoga in clinical practice 13 years ago when she discovered Yoga for the Special Child ®.  She is her brother’s legal guardian and advocate. Cheryl currently resides in Bradenton Florida and owns a yoga-based private practice, Soul To Soul Yoga.

Show Key Points:

·      Cheryl tells us about her background and favorite occupations

·      She describes what inspired her to do this work

·      She describes her uncommon OT work and the individuals she serves

·      She describes a typical day in her non-traditional setting

·      She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

·      She provides direction, resources, and contact information

RESOURCES:

https://www.wpspublish.com/qnst-3r-quick-neurological-screening-test-third-edition-revised

www.specialyoga.com (where I was trained) 

https://soultosoulyogasrq.com/ceus/

www.specialsib.com

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot 

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

BIG THANKS to our sponsor Picmonic. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.  .

In this episode, we will learn from Hannah Pugh, OTR/L an occupational therapist who specializes in Digital Health. Hannah has been a practicing occupational therapist for 5 years. She studied kinesiology at Michigan State University and then received her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. She has traditional OT experience working in an outpatient setting, acute, and inpatient care but through that time she realized she was interested in helping people through a different lens. Early in her career, she realized she could have a greater impact on people's lives by leveraging technology to reach more people. She took a course in UX design and now works as the Head of Clinical Experience at Reactiv, a health tech startup that uses augmented reality to treat people with joint pain.

Show Key Points:

• Hannah tells us about her background and her path to her Uncommon OT work

• She describes what inspired her to do this work

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides direction, resources and his contact information

RESOURCES:

Here is the course I took through General Assembly: https://generalassemb.ly/education/user-experience-design

An article I wrote on the comparison between OT and UX: https://pughhann.medium.com/comparing-ot-and-ux-using-the-double-diamond-process-of-design-thinking-91ea0ad68462

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from some of the founders and members of the Mental Health Task Force (MHTF). Anne Hiller Scott, OTR/L, PhD, FAOTA, Joan Feder MA, OTR/L, Diane Tewfik, MA, OT (Retired), Mabel Martinez-Almonte, OTR/L. The MHTF is a NYSOTA (New York State Occupational Therapy Association) community of practice that identifies, promotes, and supports occupational therapy practitioners in addressing the psychosocial aspects of occupational engagement in all practice settings through education, advocacy, and community.

Show Key Points:

• Members and founders briefly introduce themselves and tell us about their backgrounds and OT work

• The discuss their motivation to do the Podcast and the MHTF beginnings and summary of its history and goals

• They describe their Uncommon OT roles, projects and initiatives

• They describe some of MHTF’s recent highs and lows

• They provide OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• They provide us with resources, community and contact information

Anne Hiller Scott, OTR/L, PhD, FAOTA

In 1969 Dr. Scott began her career at St. Vincent’s during the community mental health movement. With the local NYSOTA MH Task Force (MHTF), she led initiatives in continuing education, resource development and publications on evaluation, practice, supervision, quality assurance and wellness. This pioneering service and advocacy were recognized with honors: FAOTA, NYSOTA Practice Award and the Abreu Award. An OTMH issue “New Frontiers in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy” which she edited, showcased innovations by MHTF members, therapists’ nationwide and included consumer and OTS perspectives. After teaching at Downstate for fifteen years, she launched the LIU OT Program in 1997 with a mission emphasizing wellness, health promotion and community service learning.

Diane Tewfik, MA, OT (Retired)

As one of the founding members of the MHOT Taskforce, Diane has had a career In Mental Health OT for over 30 years. Her practice has included outpatient programs, addiction, private practice as well as adult rehabilitation. She was also Associate Professor and Field Coordinator at York College of CUNY's OT Program. She received NYSOTA's Merit of Practice Award in 1997 and AOTA's Recognition of Achievement in 2003 for Preserving Occupational Therapy's Role in Mental Health.

Joan Feder MA, OTR/L

Joan has dedicated her 40 year career to peer-centered treatment, working in a wide range of settings from acute psychiatric in-patient settings to outpatient psychosocial rehabilitation programs. She received an advanced mental health OT degree from NYU and worked in designing and implementing programming at New York-Presbyterian Hospital –Cornell Medical Center. She had the unique opportunity of designing outpatient services for the SPMI population while overseeing a multidisciplinary team. Her programs were driven by the Recovery Model, with a focus on fostering function and independence, while responding to the ever-changing demands of external regulators. She collaborated over the years on CBT for Psychosis research and lectured at multiple OT schools in NY. She has published in AOTA SIS journals and has a chapter in APA – Textbook of Hospital Psychiatry. Most importantly she was one of the founders of the MNYD mental health task force and has played a key role in the group, over the last 26 years, while benefiting from the amazing professional support provided by all its members.

Mabel Martinez-Almonte, OTR/L

Mabel is a graduate from SUNY Downstate College of Health Related Professions, from the class of 1992. She has worked in mental health for 25 years, on the inpatient psychiatric unit NS-52 in which she supervised Occupational Therapy (OT) students for the past 21 years. She was nominated by her students for the "Supervisor of the Year" in 2000, 2007, 2010, and in 2009 was the recipient of this prestigious award. In addition, she was actively involved with educating the staff in the inpatient psychiatry unit (NS-52), on treatment modalities to decrease restraint and seclusion. She has served as an adjunct professor for the SUNY Downstate CHRP OT program since 1994. These experiences served as a springboard for other teaching opportunities. This spearheaded the initiative to give back to SUNY Downstate and work with professors who served as mentors in her profession as an Occupational Therapist, including getting involved with community service in the mental health arena. Since 1999, she has served in various capacities with NAMI East Flatbush (an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) consumer and family support group held monthly at SUNY Downstate. She continued to do community service in a broad spectrum, which included conducting lectures and conference presentations to students at various schools (i.e., Long Island University, Columbia University, and Public School 274), and participated as a panelist for mental health Special Interest Group, and co-presented with psychiatry residents from DMC department of psychiatry at the Institute on Psychiatric Services in 2010 on the topic: "Discuss updates working with patients affected by mental illness at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) towards mental health consumer empowerment and advocacy and the Metabolic Syndrome Screening Booth at the yearly NAMI Walks event." She has also worked closely with CHRP Occupational Therapy Program and the Department of Psychiatry to organize a yearly NAMI Walk event from 2008-2018, which included the involvement of SUNY Downstate trainees: occupational therapy and medical students, along with psychiatry residents; together with NAMI East Flatbush chapter members and their families, to set up a walk team (SUNY Downstate at NAMI East Flatbush) and provide a Metabolic Syndrome Screening Booth. She has co-presented the work that she does with NAMI and the yearly NAMI Walk events at the Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds. She is an active Advisory Board Member since 2006, for the State University of New York/Health Science Center of Brooklyn - College of Health Related Professions -Occupational Therapy Program, now renamed State University of New York - School of Health Professions (SOHP). Mabel went on to complete graduate studies at Nyack Alliance Graduate School of Counseling and graduated with a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. She is currently employed at the Special Treatment and Research (STAR) Health Center at SUNY Downstate Medical Center as a mental health counselor since December 2014. She currently provides both individual and group mental health, substance abuse, and supportive counseling for patients receiving care at the STAR Health Center. Her love for educating the community at large on mental health literacy has taken her to pursue training and certification in Mental Health First Aid for adults, youth curriculums since 2012. She has continued to enrich her love for knowledge and service and became certified as a National Certified Counselor and an Evergreen Certified Dementia Care Specialist (ECDCS).

RESOURCES & IMPORTANT WORKS BY MEMBERS OVER THE YEARS:

Social Profile by Mary Donohue, AOTA Press

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/000841740507200304?journalCode=cjoc

OT’s Walk with Nami (Initiative and Protocol)

Let’s Get Organized Assessment

Sensory Modulation for pediatric inpatient

Suzanne White, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA

https://www.suzannewhiteotr.com/nami

Photography for those with mental illness- Joan Feder, MA, OTR/L

https://healthmatters.nyp.org./photography-program-mental-illness

Article Testimony: Advocacy in Action. OT Practice, Nov 8,2004 by Diane B. Tewfik, MA, OT and Richard Sabel, MA, MPH, OTR, GCFP -2-

Article published in September, 2022 issue in OT Practice: Highlighting OT’s Role in Mental Health , An Innovative Fieldwork Program for Community- Based Mental Health by Diane B. Tewfik, MA, OT and Anne Hiller Scott, OTR/L, PhD, FAOTA

https://www.aota.org/publications/ot-practice/ot-practice-issues/2022/community-based-mental-health

Dream Home Assessment (free download) by Emily Raphael-Greenfield https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/education/academic-programs/programs-occupational-therapy/about-programs/faculty-innovations/dream-home-assessment

Bucket Drumming Group Article -Hard –Wired for Groups: Students and Clients in the Classroom and Clinic-Mental Health special Interest Section Quarterly, Volume 34, No. 3, September 2011.

SMART program (Supporting Many to Achieve Residential Transition, Gutman, S.A. and Raphael-Greenfield EI(2018).

https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/education/academic-programs/programs-occupational-therapy/faculty-innovations/smart-program.

Scott, A., (Ed.) (1998). New Frontiers in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy (Ed). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.

Scott, A. (1999). Wellness works: Community service health promotion groups led by occupational therapy students. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, (53) 6, 566-574. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.53.6.566

Salem, Y., & Scott, A. (2011). A community-based aquatic program for individuals with systemic lupus erythematous: A community-based study. Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy,19:30-31. DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2010.507855

Salem, Y., Scott, A., Karpatkin, H., Concert, G., Haller, L., Kaminsky, E., Weisbrot, R, & Spatz, E. (2011). Community-based group aquatic program for individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 33:720-728. DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2010.507855

Scott, A., Scott, R., & Cole, M. (2016). Narrative reasoning in disability-themed films (pp. 117-143). In M. Cole & J. Creek (Eds.), Global Perspectives in Professional Reasoning. Thorofare, NJ: Slack.

Scott, A., Scott, R., & Cole, M. (2018/4/19-22). From reel to real: Illness narratives in disability-themed films. [Poster Presentation]. AOTA Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Brooklyn International Disability Film Festival and Wellness Expo

https://www.brooklynpaper.com › superwoman

Jul 22, 2005 — Brooke Ellison, who at age 11 was hit by a car and left paralyzed ... The free screening is part of the Brooklyn International Disability Film Festival…

How to Contact The MHTF:

Website: https://www.nysota.org/page/MHTF

https://www.nysota.org/page/MHTFBios

Mental Health Taskforce Listserv: OTmentalhealthtaskforce@gmail.com

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn from Whitney Pendergrass, COTA/L. Whitney is a certified occupational therapy assistant whose role is titled, Clinical Education Assistant for The School of Occupational Therapy at Belmont University. Her job is to assist the fieldwork educators in the OTD and MSOT programs with all things fieldwork related. This role also includes creating more fieldwork placement options for when the OTD program increases to a cohort of 60 students because an increase in students means an increased need for fieldwork placement options.

Show Key Points:

• Whitney gives us a glimpse of her background and interests

• She describes her Uncommon OT role and her path

• She talks about what inspired her to contribute to the Uncommon OT Series Podcast

• She explains how her role and skill set benefits others

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides resources and her contact information

RESOURCES:

Belmont University

https://www.belmont.edu/health-sciences/graduate/occupational-therapy-doctorate/index.html

I would like to give a formal shout-out to my friend Cindy and list her official title for recognition.

Cindy Hickman OTD, OTR/L, SIPT, CLT, LANA OTD Fieldwork Coordinator for The School Of Occupational Therapy at Belmont University

All the forward-thinkers and amazing program directors from Belmont as well as Nashville State Community college (where I went to school) so they can all be recognized for their awesomeness!

- Camille Turner, MSOT, OTR/L

MSOT Fieldwork Coordinator at Belmont University

- Allison Koch, EdD, OTD, OTR/L

MSOT Program Director at Belmont University

- Tamara Lemmonds, EdD, MSOT, OTR/L

OTD Program Director, Department Chair at Belmont University

Nashville State Community College OTA Program

https://catalog.nscc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=2&poid=156&returnto=601

- Piper Sesnan, OTD, OTR

OTA Program Director at Nashville State Community College

- Donna Whitehouse, MHA, OTR

Interim Dean of Healthcare Professions at Nashville State Community College

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, you will learn about My Uncommon OT Year. I take a month-to-month account and highlight all of the non-traditional OT opportunities & collaborations I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of in 2022. What a year! MANY THANKS to EACH of YOU for YOUR LOVE & SUPPORT throughout the year.

January

Great start to the year!

I had the privilege of releasing my inspiring conversation with Amy Lamb, enough said!

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series/inspiration-m56ww-b4d6e-k2jgx-ebldc-9eh3t-lyr8d-hazhm-y2ldg-k3j9h-wfgjr-9b79a

Amy J. Lamb, OTD, OT/L, FAOTA: OT in Executing Coaching — Wholistic Transitions

February

Started my virtual individual and group mentorship program.

I had to honor of being interviewed by my friend Sara Zera, OTR/L, OTD the host of @moxieotpodcast

Moxie OT Podcast (@moxieotpodcast) • Instagram photos and ...

https://www.instagram.com › moxieotpodcast

March

I had to honor of being interviewed by my friend Sara Lyon, OTR/L the host of The OT Potential Podcast

IG: @otpotential

https://www.audible.com/pd/27-Mindfulness-Chronic-Pain-and-OT-with-Patricia-Motus-Podcast/B09TZKTFT3?ref=a_pd_item-n_c1_lAsin_2_4

#27: Mindfulness, Chronic Pain, and OT with Patricia Motus | OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy CEUs | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com

April

WAS HUGE, to say the least!!!

First, I was invited to speak at the 2022 AOTA Conference in San Antonio, Tx on a Panel on Nurturing Resilience

Speakers | AOTA INSPIRE 2023

https://inspire.aota.org/inspire-sessions-types/inspire-speakers/

I loved being amongst my people at the conference IG: @kateburke @amplifyot

I was awarded COTAD’s 20220 Excellence in Mentorship award

https://www.cotad.org/

COTAD National

May

I was a speaker at the OT Entrepreneurs of Color Online Conference hosted by the lovely

Patrice Maynard OTR/L IG: @tricem_96

June & July

Invited to speak with various SOTAs and COTAD chapters across the country

August

I celebrated my 1 year podcast anniversary and Interviewed OT rockstars like Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA @drArameh

https://transitionsot.squarespace.com/config/pages/60da8d598829b90f5cd01ff4

Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA: OT in Grassroot Organization — Wholistic Transitions

September

Named Therapist Beyond Borders Ambassador

https://therapistsbeyondborders.org/

Home - Therapists Beyond Borders

October

Invited to speak with various SOTAs

Exploring a variety of Non-Traditional Job Openings in Los Angeles

November

Great News!! I accepted a full-time position in a non-traditional community-based setting. Super excited to share this journey with you this new year. Woot Woot!! Take a Sneak Peak at this fantastic new facility where OT Services will be offered.

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/inside-the-issues/2022/11/04/la-county-opens-interim-housing-site-with-24-7-access

December

Ending the Year with a Bang!

Named @otpotential podcast’s Top 5 most listened to episodes in 2022!

Joined the Exodus Recovery team. Onboarding and training began for my new non-traditional OT gig!

Thanks for being an important part of my non-traditional 2022, on to my new and exciting uncommon OT role in 2023!

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests’ own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn about Mark Koch, OTD, OTR/L an occupational therapist and educator whose areas of interest include community-based practice, trauma-informed care, occupational in/justice, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. He received his Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Missouri and his post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Saint Louis University. Prior to his appointment at Cedar Crest College, Dr. Koch was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. As an OT educator and scholar, Mark is interested in understanding how relational approaches to teaching and learning can optimize learner inclusion, participation, and socialization in the profession.

Show Key Points:

• Mark gives us a glimpse of his background and interests

• He describes his Uncommon OT work and his path

• He describes what inspired him to do this work

• He explains how his services benefit others

• He provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• He provides resources and his contact information

RESOURCES:

Wood, W. (2011). Navigating the shifting sands of occupational therapy: Lessons from wise wayfinders. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58 (1), 14-20.

https://www.cedarcrest.edu/sage/otd/index.shtm

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

In this episode, we will learn about an occupational therapy practitioner who specializes in soft tissue & myofascial release in her rural OT practice. Tarsha Long, BSC, OT is a country girl from the bottom southwest of Western Australia, a beautiful Coastal town called Bremer Bay. She spent half of her life as a townie and the other half on the family farm, where she learned the beauty in hard work. She had a life-changing accident at 12 years old, which left her in the hospital for 6 months and using a wheelchair for another 6 months. This experience taught Tarsha the art of resilience, perseverance, and how to think outside the box (incoming OT in the making). Tarsha used a gardening chair as a chair to shower independently, she had to re-learn how to climb stairs, and sit to stand independently. Over time, recovered and is now fully functional. She began her studies as an OT at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. She continued professional development with a two-day course in Soft Tissue and O and then proceeded to do her postgraduate work in Soft Tissue OT. Then, the birth of The OT Place happened, her private practice. Tarsha has a passion for helping people manage the symptoms as well as empowering and educating them to look after their bodies to manage it on their own and prevent future injuries or flare-ups via taking a holistic approach to her OT practice. Over the course of the last three years, Tarsha has completed more training in breath work, mobility, lymphatics, and the toxic load placed on the body. Her business has heavily expanded into the athletic and CrossFit space in Australia. She works at CrossFit competitions throughout Perth, and during the winter, works with sporting teams and alongside teachers and office workers as well.

Show Key Points:

• Tarsha gives us a glimpse of her background and interests

• She describes her Uncommon OT work and whom she serves and where

• She describes what inspired her to do this work and her path to entrepreneurship

• She explains her rare service in rural Australia and how it benefits others

• She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

• She provides resources and her contact information

RESOURCES:

Instagram @theotplace and @tarshajay (the unorthodox OT)

Email is tarsha@theotplace.com.au

*Ask to join the National Soft Tissue Interest group on Facebook! we hold meeting every 2 months.

My website has my “Soft Tissue Mastery” course details and heaps of information on it www.theotplace.com.au

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!

Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series

Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE

Updated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings

https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot

For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

Happy Listening Friends!

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.

Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.