What's It Like To Be an OT Working in Academia?
I would guess that at some point along the way almost every occupational therapy practitioner entertains the idea of teaching...whether just taking on one class or entering into academia full-time.
In this article you can find OT professionals who have chosen this path. I'll also share an interview I did with Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh. Please note this interview was from 2016, so I hope to do an update soon. But, hopefully, her answers will inspire you and perhaps guide your own thinking about taking on the incredibly important challenge of teaching new OTs.
Find OT Professionals in Academia
Check out the OT professionals on the OT directory that have tagged themselves as working in academia!
Nicole Arguello
OTD, OTR/L
Woven Care
Pueblo, Colorado
Jessika Alarcon
OTA
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Miami , Florida
ADHD, Autism, Neurodiversity, Stroke, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Feeding and Eating, Dementia, Cerebral Palsy, Home Modifications, Health Policy, Health Data
Crystal Davis
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Whitehall , Michigan
Feeding and Eating, Developmental Delays
Grace Cho Darmahkasih
OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Grace Cho Darmahkasih
Pasadena, California
Autism, Chronic Conditions, Developmental Delays, Feeding and Eating, Health Promotion, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Lifestyle Medicine, ADHD
Naomie Corro
OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Missouri State University
Springfield, Missouri
ADHD, Assistive Technology, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, CIMT, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Health Promotion, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Stroke, TBI
Marissa
OTR/L, OTD, AMPS, CEAS, LRC
Educator
True North Occupational Therapy
Nacka
ADHD, Anxiety, Assistive Technology, Autism, Chronic Conditions, Coaching, Ergonomics, Fitness, Health Promotion, Insomnia & Sleep, Lifestyle Medicine
Rachel Robertson
MOT, OTR/L, CBIS, ADHD-RSP
Neurospace LLC
Saline, Michigan
ADHD, Autism, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Medication Management, Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, Prevention, Social Determinants of Health, Spinal Cord Injury, TBI
Stacey Hunter
OTR/L
Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Aging in Place
Alana Woolley
OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
UnityPoint Meriter
Madison, Wisconsin
ADHD, Autism, Health Policy, Knowledge Translation, Neurodiversity, Trauma & PTSD, Insomnia & Sleep
Linda S.Cardichon
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Hartford Healthcare
Branford , Connecticut
Aging in Place, Dementia
Andrea Lovett
OTD, OTR/L, CBIS
Grand Rivers, Kentucky
Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, TBI, Neurorehabilitation
Jillian Blount
MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
WildFree Kids OT, LLC
Wasilla, Alaska
ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Nature-based, Neurodiversity, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Trauma & PTSD, Tourette syndrome
Dawn Heiderscheidt
OTR/L, ECHM, CAPS, CHAMP
Occupational Therapist
Aurora Independence
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aging in Place, Assistive Technology, Chronic Conditions, Coaching, Home Modifications
Abby Langridge
OTA
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Batavia, New York
Khadijah Guy
OTD, OTR/L, CLT, DCS
Occupational Therapist
Full Circle Therapy & Wellness
Phoenix, Arizona
Home Modifications, Leadership, Lymphedema, Population Health, Maternal Health, Health Promotion, Insomnia & Sleep, Pelvic Health
Christine Urish
PhD, MS, OTR/L, BCMH, FAOTA, CCAP
Occupational Therapist
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
ADHD, Anxiety, Chronic Conditions, Coaching, Dementia, Health Promotion, Insomnia & Sleep, Lifestyle Medicine, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Prevention, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health
Mandi Haws-Fuller
Bachelor's of Social Work (BSW), Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (OTR/L)
Holistic Orthopedics, Eden Home Health
Seattle, Washington
Aging in Place, ADHD, Autism, Chronic Pain, Ergonomics, Health Promotion, Home Modifications, Lifestyle Medicine, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Nature-based, Neurodiversity, Parkinson’s, Seating and Mobility, Stroke, TBI, Trauma & PTSD
Kathy Soseman
OTD OTR/L CHT
Occupational Therapist
Pathways Hand Therapy & Wellness
Nevada, Iowa
Coaching, Hand Therapy, Health Promotion, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Prevention
Grace Smith
OTDS
Rochester, New York
Alyson Stover
MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP
Capable Kids; University of Pittsburgh, AOTA
Hermitage, Pennsylvania
Coaching, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Knowledge Translation, Lifestyle Medicine, Leadership, Maternal Health, Nature-based, Neurodiversity, Prevention, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health
Emily Rich
PhD., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Tucson Medical Center
Tucson, Arizona
ADHD, Cancer, Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Lifestyle Medicine, Neurodiversity, Parkinson’s, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Marissa Ruhl
MOTR/L, CLT-LANA, CPAM
Thrive Occupational Therapy Health and Wellness PLCC
Omaha, Nebraska
Cancer, Chronic Pain, Fitness, Health Promotion, Lifestyle Medicine, Lymphedema, Maternal Health, Pelvic Health, Prevention, Sexuality/Intimacy, Trauma & PTSD
Sarah Lyon
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
OT Potential
Aurora, Nebraska
Knowledge Translation
Monika Lukasiewicz
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
MollyLu P-LLC
Mesa, Arizona
Aging in Place, Chronic Conditions, Coaching, Dementia, Health Promotion, Home Modifications, Insomnia & Sleep, Lifestyle Medicine, Leadership, Nature-based, Parkinson’s, Prevention, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health
Interview with Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh, OT Professor
Potential: What initially drew you to work in academia?
I had been practicing for quite a few years and would often take fieldwork students. I enjoyed the teaching aspect of it. I was then approached by a university to teach an occupational science course as an adjunct professor. That was my first time teaching. It was a great opportunity and new challenge. It was also still a good balance as I was able to practice full-time and teach one class which was online. I taught that class for 4 years.
Around the same time, I was asked to guest lecture about being a leader in the profession, specifically transitioning from a student to practitioner. That lecture led to an opportunity to become a professor and academic fieldwork coordinator. I never thought I would completely leave practice and was not necessarily looking for a new job, but I am always interested in growing professionally especially in different areas, such as academia. I looked at academia as a dynamic and fulfilling new chapter.
What is your favorite part of being an occupational therapy professor?
Mentorship and having the students think about the ‘big picture’. I love making the students think about how valuable our profession is to all populations from non-traditional to traditional settings. I want the students to understand their role in being an OT leader and challenge them to create new niches for our profession. I love seeing the students light up when thinking of fascinating ideas and I like to push them to take ownership by developing and then implementing those ideas.
What is the best part of being an OT fieldwork coordinator?
Providing students the opportunity to be exposed to different practice areas. Advocating for their education and challenging them to set high expectations toward fieldwork success. Teaching them about professionalism as well as critical thinking, but also showing them that OT can be in settings they would least expect. Showing the students the importance of developing therapeutic rapport and cultural awareness. Preparing students to also understand the significance of becoming a fieldwork educator and a lifelong learner.
What is the biggest challenge of teaching occupational therapy?
A primary challenge of teaching is to make sure the material is relevant and relatable. I have to make sure I address students’ questions, give them enough time for activities in class, work on developing clinical reasoning skills within the allotted class time. Sometimes we get in a flow which is good, but also can be a challenge to present all of the material.
What is the biggest challenge of serving as a fieldwork coordinator?
There are not enough OTs willing to take students which limits opportunities and learning experiences. It can be extremely challenging to get sites that students want in the required timeframe.
How do you balance the demands of a private practice and your academic work?
Balance is truly key. I stay very organized to prevent myself from getting overwhelmed. I maintain a certain amount of private clients and make sure not to exceed it. I also primarily see my clients on the day I am not in the office. It is so important for me to maintain my therapeutic relationships with my clients as well as continue expanding my clinical skills.
I sometimes see grumblings online about the disconnect between academia and clinical practice. Have you found there to be a disconnect?
Since I am the newest professor who has been out of (daily) practice for a year now, I still feel very connected to the clinical side of OT. Since I am also the fieldwork coordinator, I am talking to sites, completing site visits, building relationships with facilities, OT leaders, and practitioners daily. I am able to work alongside practitioners to create unique fieldwork experiences, which is why I can still remain connected when teaching. I am also very involved with OT leadership so I often work with OTs who are in clinical practice. This also helps me stay current and understand the pressing clinical issues. However, I can see if someone is completely removed from clinical practice can possibly be disconnected.
What changes do you hope to see in the occupational therapy school experience in the next 5-10 years?
I hope to see more curriculum focused on cultural humility and fluidity. More activities around decreasing health disparities in all communities. I would like to see more interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professions such as physical therapy, speech pathology, etc. I also like to see more priorities in recruiting a diverse student body as well as leadership courses that establish OT advocates from the beginning of their graduate studies.
What resources have you utilized to grow as an occupational therapy professor over the years?
I have utilized mentorship, textbooks, continuing education courses, course evaluation feedback, personal reflection, and collaborated with colleagues/other professors to foster ongoing growth.
What advice would you give to a student who hopes to eventually work in academia?
Be passionate about occupational therapy; be passionate about the future; embrace your role in molding future leaders and thinkers. Be prepared to learn from students and enjoy the challenge of teaching. Don’t take yourself so seriously; always have a sense of humor. Never forget that at one time you were sitting right in the classroom just like your students.
What advice would you give an OT practitioner who is just starting to teach…perhaps in an adjunct capacity?
Know your university’s vision, mission, and expected learning outcomes. Make sure to align your curriculum with the program learning outcomes. Be organized and prepare your lessons ahead of time. Even though you are adjunct and might only teach a course, it is important to embrace your role as an educator.
Contributors
Sarah Lyon
OTR/L
Sarah Lyon, OTR/L, is the CEO of OT Potential. Sarah earned her BA from St. Olaf College and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University. Her diverse clinical background spans multiple settings, including critical access, acute trauma, and state inpatient psychiatric hospitals. In 2011, she founded OT Potential to fulfill the industry's need for reliable, high-quality occupational therapy resources and continuing education.
As a recognized content creator, Sarah has collaborated with top healthcare brands like VeryWell Health, WebPT, and MedBridge. She blends her clinical expertise with a talent for creating clear, action-oriented content that empowers practitioners to excel. Passionate about elevating the OT profession, she has been featured on numerous industry podcasts. Sarah ultimately returned to her roots, running OT Potential and raising her family in her hometown of Aurora, Nebraska.
