Issues and Innovations in Mental Health Groups

ALL SESSIONS ARE CLOSED CAPTIONED AND WILL BE RECORDED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED ATTENDEES WITHIN 24-48 BUSINESS HOURS AT THE OTLEARN PORTAL.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This on-camera conversation between occupational therapists and psychologists will explore current issues related to mental health groups. The speakers, experts in their practice areas, will discuss timely issues and responsive innovations in prevention, health, mental health, and social and occupational justice using this modality. Their observations and insights will resonate with and inspire practitioners in the field.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Identify and reflect upon current issues and innovations impacting group process and group dynamics for individuals, populations, and communities.
Describe and apply strategies that improve the process and dynamics of group programs and services.

SPEAKERS

Catherine Dubois, PsyD
Core Faculty, Clinical Psychology Department
Co-Facilitator, Additional Field Placement Experience (AFPE)

Catherine Dubois has a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from William James College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. At William James College, she teaches group dynamics, group psychotherapy, and clinical practice courses. She is also the Founder and Co-Director of the Believe Project, is active in the Northeast Society for Group Psychotherapists, and has a private psychotherapy practice. In addition to her experience in teaching and clinical practice, she has served as a consultant for a number of community agencies. Her research interests lie in mindfulness, perinatal mental health, women's health, and parenting.

Mary Alicia Barnes, OTD, OT
Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
Tufts University
Boston School of Occupational Therapy
Co-author, Functional Group Model: An Occupational Therapy Approach

Mary Alicia Barnes is an occupational therapist with recognized expertise in group leadership, fieldwork coordination, academic and fieldwork education, supervision, and mentoring. She has bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in occupational therapy and more than 25 years of experience mentoring graduate students and practitioners in areas related to group theory and practice and professional development. She is a published author and dynamic workshop leader known for her creative, collaborative, process-oriented approach. Her extensive past experience as a practitioner includes working with children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disorders as a member of the interprofessional team in hospital settings. She actively participates in professional communities such as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapists (MAOT), and the Northeast Society for Group Psychotherapists (NSGP) through presentations and publications. She also serves as a member of the Walnut Street Center Human Rights Committee, advisory board member to Calmer Choice, and co-chair of the Northeast Society for Group Psychotherapy DEI committee.

Sharan Schwartzberg, EdD, OT, FAOTA, CGP, FAGPA
Professor Emerita
Tufts University
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Department of Occupational Therapy
Co-author, Functional Group Model: An Occupational Therapy Approach

Retired from Tufts University in 2020, Schwartzberg was appointed as a Professor and Chair of Occupational Therapy in 1979. Her research crossed disciplines with secondary appointments as professor in the departments of Psychiatry and Public Health & Community Medicine. She published several books and scholarly works mainly on occupational therapy groupwork, lecturing abroad in Oxford, Sweden, Japan, and Israel. A licensed occupational therapist and Certified Group Psychotherapist in Massachusetts and Texas. Sharan spends most of her time in Boston and her winters in Houston, enjoying retirement and professional associations with the American Group Psychotherapy Association, the Northeast Society of Group Psychotherapy, and the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Special Interest Group in Mental Health. She lives in Boston, enjoying time with her partner, friends, family, and granddaughters. A member of the College Club of Boston, she is an avid reader and member of their book club. She also enjoys membership in group consultation groups for group therapists.

SPONSORED BY:

William James College: Issues and Innovations in Mental Health Lunch and Learn Series

Earn up to 1.00 contact hour.