I joined the School of Occupational Therapy in 2020 after holding several teaching and administrative positions in OT and OTA programs in Southern California. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Puget Sound, my Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) with an emphasis in Education from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, and my Master’s Degree in Instructional Design and Technology from Trevecca Nazarene University. I have been an OT for 26 years, and my practice experience includes 14 years of full-time work with people living with serious mental illness (SMI) in inpatient and community-based behavioral health settings.  

Practice Expertise

• Trauma-informed care
• Sensory-based interventions for psychosocial wellness
• Motivational interviewing to support behavior change
• Supported education with people with SMI
• Health literacy and family/caregiver education

Teaching

• Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF), occupation and health, critical reflexivity, OT models of practice
• Therapeutic use of self, activity analysis, and use of groups in the OT process
• Sex/intimacy and sexuality in occupational therapy and interprofessional practice
• Neurodiversity-affirming practice in healthcare

Scholarship

• Universal Design for Learning and inclusive pedagogy
• Supporting neurodivergent students and student self-advocacy
• Curriculum mapping and instructional design in allied health education   
• Student resistance to learning in OT and healthcare education
• Development and practices associated with “professionalism” in OT

Service

• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) Roster of Accreditation Evaluators (RAE)   
• Event Coordinator for CarFit, a national driver’s safety initiative
• Associate Editor of the Instructional Insights column in Occupational Therapy in Health Care

About Me

In my free time, I enjoy baking, cake decorating, reading, visiting local breweries, and spending time outside with my dog, Holly.

Additional Information

You’re welcome to visit my About Me infographic or my professional portfolio for more information.