OccupationalTherapy.com Phone: 866-782-9924


How Do I Transition Into OT Psychiatric Mental Health?

Elizabeth Cara, Ph.D., OTR/L, MFC

April 4, 2016

Share:

Question

Do you have recommendations to facilitate OT knowledge and skill development for mental health OT? I've been primarily in geriatric physical disability or physical disability. I would like to transition into psychiatric mental health focus.

Answer

I think that you are asking how could you get more knowledge and more skill for mental health OT and that you would like to focus on more psychiatric mental health - that you would like to have more than a psychosocial setting. If that is correct, what I would say is, keep doing what you are doing. There are a lot of seminars that you could take that will inform you about mental health. There are also two primary texts in mental health, and one of them happens to be written by myself and Anne MacRae. Some of the presenters here have written in it. The other one is written by Catana Brown and Ginny Stoffel. Both of these are major texts that you could start anywhere to read. I know ours is accessible, I think Jenny's and Catana’s too. I could say that their book is more of an overview in my opinion and ours would be a little more depth as far as treatment and intervention. I would try and look at the major texts in occupational therapy. I would also look at all the seminars, a lot of them on OccupationalTherapy.com and take as many as you can. I would go to all of the workshops that you can. There are so many of them at AOTA. I would choose the mental health ones for AOTA. I would go to your state conference and pick the psychiatric workshops. Locally, I would try and connect with mental health practitioners in your area. I find that there are so few of us and we are so excited about what we do. I think we are all pretty happy when someone talks about wanting to transition into psychiatric mental health. I think that we would be happy to mentor anyone who would like to join us.


elizabeth cara

Elizabeth Cara, Ph.D., OTR/L, MFC

Dr. Liz Cara currently has close to 45 years of experience working in all areas of mental health and with clients in every age group from infancy to older age. She has developed innovative programs in mental health and coordinates occupational therapy programs with community partners in addition to being on advisory boards for mental health organizations. She has taught a variety of courses including mental health and community practice, group intervention, fieldwork, activities, evidence-based practice, introduction to research, education in occupational therapy, advanced research and research thesis/project courses using both online and in-person technology. She has presented research, workshops, seminars in local, state, national and international conferences. She is the editor and author with Dr. Anne Macrae of the popular textbook, in its fourth edition, Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: An Evolving Practice. She has presented papers written from a psycho biographical perspective on the artist Georgia Okeeffe and the occupational therapist and primatologist, Dian Fossey.


Related Courses

Electrical Stimulation for Recovery of Function in Neurorehabilitation
Presented by Rebecca Martin, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, CKTP
Video

Presenter

Rebecca Martin, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM, CKTP
Course: #3840Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'I appreciated the charts on how to alter specific parameters to achieve specific goals in treatment'   Read Reviews
This course will describe the different mechanisms of action for electrical stimulation to restore function in patients with neurological dysfunction. Using case studies and best evidence, participants will learn how to design and execute interventions with electrical stimulation useful in neurorehabiliation.

Joint Hypermobility Syndromes: Assessment and Intervention
Presented by Valeri Calhoun, MS, OTR/L, CHT
Video

Presenter

Valeri Calhoun, MS, OTR/L, CHT
Course: #5376Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'I appreciated the presenter's expertise and her ability to present course information concisely'   Read Reviews
This course will cover upper extremity assessment and treatment strategies for the pediatric/young adult population affected by joint hypermobility syndromes. The treatment focuses on both orthopedic strategies along with adaptive methods for these individuals.

Disability Inclusion: What Healthcare Providers Need To Know
Presented by Kathryn Sorensen, OTD, OTR/L, ADAC
Video

Presenter

Kathryn Sorensen, OTD, OTR/L, ADAC
Course: #5632Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Speaker was entertaining and informative'   Read Reviews
As a person with a disability and an occupational therapist, I have a unique perspective of living in two worlds. In this course, I will share my personal experience and things I wish healthcare providers knew and understood about living with a disability.

Skilled Nursing Facility Interventions: An Introduction to Teepa Snow and Positive Approach to Care®
Presented by Laurie Walther, MS, CCC-SLP
Video

Presenter

Laurie Walther, MS, CCC-SLP
Course: #6144Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Very structured with good notes to follow along with'   Read Reviews
There is so much more to supporting a person living with dementia than just knowing they have the diagnosis. This presentation will introduce you to Teepa Snow, the Positive Approach to Care, and skills to support someone living with dementia to promote quality of care and improved outcomes.

Recommendations For Preventing And Managing Mechanical Low Back Pain With Occupational Therapy Clients
Presented by Lisa Juckett, MOT, OTR/L
Video

Presenter

Lisa Juckett, MOT, OTR/L
Course: #3585Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Simplicity of being able to understand what she was presenting'   Read Reviews
This course will review neuromusculoskeletal anatomy of the spinal column with a specific emphasis on the lumbar spine region. Screening, evaluation, and intervention techniques for managing low back pain will be provided as will recommendations for activity modification and injury prevention.

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.