Welcome to the Registration for Wellness 2026!

Below are the descriptions for Pre-Conference Workshops and 1-2 hour sessions.
There is

a max of 40 registrants per Pre-conference workshops
a max of 300 registrants for the main conference
a discount for early registrations prior to May 15

Please complete the registration form and payment options and thank you for attending !!
If you are a speaker, please check speaker. Speakers receive a complimentary main conference.

Be well !

Pre-Conference Workshops 6/5/2026

Choose 1 of the following

Workshop A

Touching Fascia, Transforming Wellness: A Practical, Science-Informed Approach to Myofascial Technique

Course Presenter: Amy Mayer, OTD, OTR/L, RYT
Affiliation: Mayer Wellness & Myofascial Release, LLC and Fascia Informed CE

This hands-on workshop offers rehabilitation and wellness professionals a practical approach to myofascial techniques based on current fascia science. Participants will review the structure and function of fascia and learn how to apply key principles such as pressure, time, shear, and breath to treat fascial tension. Through guided practice, attendees will build skills in identifying tissue qualities, applying gentle fascia-targeting manual techniques, and communicating clearly with clients to ensure safety and effectiveness. The session emphasizes clinical reasoning over protocols and is designed to support integration of fascia-informed care into a wide range of practice settings. Whether you're new to fascia work or looking to refine your approach, this workshop provides usable, science-backed skills you can apply immediately in your professional setting.
Learning Objectives:

Describe the structure, function, and clinical relevance of the fascial system, including its role in pain, mobility, and nervous system regulation, as supported by current fascia science.
Apply fascia-informed principles such as pressure, time, shear, resistance, and breath to assess and address tissue tension through both self-exploration and guided partner techniques.
Demonstrate effective communication strategies that support client safety, consent, and comfort during fascia-targeting manual interventions, including post-treatment education and self-care guidance.

Bio: Amy Mayer, OTD, OTR/L, RYT, is an occupational therapist with 34 years of clinical experience and a nationally recognized educator in fascia-informed practice. She is the author of The Occupational Therapy Practitioner’s Guide to Fascia-Informed Practice: An Integrative Approach to Health and Wellness and the founder of Mayer Wellness & Myofascial Release, LLC and Fascia Informed CE. Amy develops and teaches online and in-person courses on fascia science and fascia-informed practice. Her teaching bridges current research with real-world practice to help clinicians confidently integrate fascia-informed care into diverse settings.

Workshop B

Overview of CranioSacral Therapy (CST)

Course Presenter: Andrea Winzer, LSW, LMT, CST-D
Affiliation: Owl's Nest Integrative Healing

This hands-on workshop guides participants on a journey to, through and around one of the body's most fascinating healing channels, the CranioSacral System, and is intended for healthcare professionals who are interested in exploring CranioSacral Therapy. Course highlights include the exploration of the anatomy and physiology of the CranioSacral System and its relationship to dysregulation, illness, and pain; developing and refining light-touch palpation skills; learning and practicing palpating the "listening stations", key body locations where the CranioSacral motion can best be evaluated; learning and practicing tissue release techniques for the pelvic and respiratory diaphragms as well as the thoracic inlet. The workshop provides 6 CEUs for qualifying professionals through the Upledger Institute.
After this session, participants will:

Be familiar with the anatomy and physicaology of the CranioSacral System and its relationship to dysregulation, illness, and pain
Have learned and practiced palpating the "listening stations", key body locations where the CranioSacral motion can best be evaluated
Have learned and practiced tissue release techniques for the pelvic and respiratory diaphragms as well as the thoracic inlet.

Bio: Andrea Winzer is a board-certified bodywork therapist, licensed to practice in New Jersey and Florida, specializing in holistic mind-body modalities. She has achieved certification on the Diplomate-Level in CranioSacral Therapy (CST) through the Upledger Institute. While maintaining a busy private practice, she is also actively involved as CST teaching assistant, presenter, certified examiner, and primary therapist in multi-hands Intensive Therapy Programs for the Upledger institute. Andrea is also a licensed social worker, passionate speaker and published author and combines her clinical skills and diverse backgrounds to pursue integrative approaches in therapy, education, and research.

Workshop C

Transformative Touch: An Introduction to Acupressure for Whole-Person Wellness

Course Presenter: Deanna Waggy, MSA, OTR, CZB
Affiliation: Zero Balancing & Insight Acupressure Faculty - Owner of DW Healing Arts, LLC

Discover the art and science of Acupressure in this introductory workshop. Clinical Acupressure is an evidence-based mind–body practice that integrates Eastern and Western healing traditions to reduce the impact of stress, anxiety and pain. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn to locate and activate key acupoints that support relaxation, stress reduction, and emotional balance. Through guided demonstrations and paired practice, attendees will explore safe touch techniques, breathwork, and grounding exercises that enhance neuroregulation and body–mind awareness. Participants will leave with knowledge of practical acupoints and tools they can apply immediately for personal self-care or in clinical, educational, and community wellness settings. No prior bodywork experience required, just curiosity and openness to learning.
At the end of this session, participants will:

Identify and locate at least five acupoints known to reduce stress and promote balance.
Demonstrate a basic self-care stress release acupressure sequence with interface touch.
Explain how acupressure influences vagal tone and emotional regulation for whole-person health.

Bio: Deanna Waggy, MSA, OTR, CZB, is an Occupational Therapist and Integrative Health Practitioner with over 40 years of experience teaching and mentoring holistic health professionals. She is a faculty member for both Zero Balancing and Insight Acupressure, specializing in practical, trauma-attuned approaches that support nervous system regulation, embodiment, and resilience. Deanna integrates Occupational Therapy principles with Clinical Acupressure and Zero Balancing to offer bodywork methods that are effective, sustainable, and easy to incorporate into clinical and wellness settings. Based in South Bend, Indiana, she is the founder of DW Healing Arts, LLC, where she combines an active private practice with extensive experience teaching, mentoring, research and developing continuing education for integrative health practitioners.

Workshop D

Reiki Level I: Foundations for Integrating Energy-Based Self-Care and Approaches in Healthcare and Wellness Practices

Course Presenter: Jen Willoughby, OTD, OTR/L, Reiki Master Teacher
Affiliation: Inspired by Jen | Blue Water Doula Collective

This 5-hour workshop introduces Reiki Level I as a complementary, integrative approach to self-regulation, therapeutic presence, and professional well-being for healthcare, education, and wellness professionals. Participants explore Reiki philosophy, foundational principles, self-healing techniques, standard hand positions, and attunement to Reiki energy, with extensive experiential practice to support embodied learning. Reiki is presented as a gentle, non-intrusive modality that may promote relaxation, focus, and balance, aligning with whole-person, prevention-oriented approaches to care. Professional organizations, including the American Occupational Therapy Association, recognize complementary and integrative health approaches as appropriate when used ethically and within professional scope. Completion of Reiki Level I provides a foundational framework for personal practice, professional self-care, and continued development toward offering Reiki ethically and responsibly within professional roles.
After completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify core Reiki Level I philosophy, principles, and ethical considerations.
Demonstrate foundational Reiki Level I techniques, including self-treatment practices and standard hand positions used when working with others, to support self-regulation, stress management, and therapeutic presence in healthcare settings.
Apply Reiki-informed self-care strategies to promote practitioner well-being, resilience, and prevention of burnout, supporting sustained effectiveness and reflective practice as a healthcare professional.

Bio: Jen is an occupational therapist, Reiki Master Teacher, and educator with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, higher education, and community-based care. She previously served as a professor in the Baker College Occupational Therapy Program and as a Lab Simulation Associate in the Occupational Therapy Department at Saginaw Valley State University. She is the founder of Inspired by Jen and the Blue Water Doula Collective, providing integrative wellness education and professional mentorship. Her work bridges evidence-informed occupational therapy practice with complementary approaches that support ethical presence and clinician resilience.

Workshop E

Embodied Integration: Practical Mind-Body-Spirit Tools for Health, Resilience, and Engagement

Course Presenters:
Richard Sabel, MA, MPH, OTR, GCFP
Affiliation: Clinical Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
Bill Gallagher, PT, CMT, CYT, CPTR, CI, CG
Affiliation: Bill is a physical therapist with over 28 years of experience working with individuals affected by trauma, chronic pain, pelvic floor conditions, and end-of-life concerns.

This immersive workshop offers an evidence-informed exploration of mind–body–spirit practices that support health, resilience, and quality of life across personal and professional contexts. Designed for an interprofessional audience, the session draws from yoga, tai chi chuan, breathwork, meditation, the Feldenkrais Method®, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Participants engage in accessible, progressive practices that promote stress regulation, comfort and efficiency in movement, balance confidence, restorative rest, and skillful approaches to working with pain. Through guided experience, reflection, and discussion, participants learn to adapt practices for diverse physical, cognitive, and emotional needs, with options for seated and standing participation. Together, the experiential practices and reflective frameworks equip participants to apply embodied, integrative strategies across clinical care, education, wellness programming, and everyday life.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Explore and adapt Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan, breathwork, meditation, and Feldenkrais-based practices to support stress regulation, pain self-management,balance confidence, sleep hygiene, and sustainable movement habits that enhance health and function.
Practice and demonstrate a range of embodied options, including at least two Yoga practices, two Tai Chi Chuan progressions, and two breathwork or meditation experiences, with modifications for seated and standing participation.
Use IFS-informed engagement micro-skills to notice and respond to common patterns of resistance, support follow-through, and foster compassionate, collaborative relationships with clients, students, or participants.
Integrate embodied and parts-informed practices into personal routines and professional roles across wellness, educational, community, and health care settings, including primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care.

Bio: (Richard Sabel): As a clinician and educator, Richard specializes in integrative, mind–body approaches that promote health, participation, and functional movement. He has developed an approach that blends Eastern and Western therapeutic practices to support resilience and engagement in meaningful activity. Richard has published in this area, led professional education programs, and presented at state, national, and international conferences. His clinical and teaching interests include neurological conditions, chronic pain, pelvic health, and advancing age-friendly, person-centered care for older adults.
Bio: (Bill Gallagher): Bill integrates yoga, Tai Chi Chuan, Baguazhang, and Western somatic approaches—including Feldenkrais, Alexander, and Middendorf—into physical therapy to support healing and functional recovery. Bill completed advanced training in ketamine-assisted therapy with Phil Wolfson and the California Institute for Integral Studies certificate program in psychedelic therapy and research, where he was introduced to Internal Family Systems (IFS). He has since completed all levels of IFS training and focuses on harm reduction, benefit maximization, and compassionate, integrative care.

Workshop F

Reversing Learned Helplessness in Children and Youth: Practical Hands-On Strategies to Promote Self-Determination

Course Presenters: Amy Coopersmith, OTD, MA Ed, OTR/L, FAOTA; Sabrina Ann Kenny, PhD, OTR/L; Kim Nicholetti, CAP, NYAYA, LVT, EoLD
Affiliation (primary presenter): Self-determined Kids

Have you noticed an increasing number of students who appear disengaged? Are you having difficulties effectively supporting the mental wellness of children, educators, and families, during these trying times? This high-impact, 5-hour self-determination workshop is designed for therapists and educators who are navigating the real-world challenges of supporting all children and youth and especially neurodivergent children’s agency and engagement. Participants will discover how to shift from compliance-based approaches to empowerment-based practices that ignite curiosity, confidence, and meaningful participation. Through interactive activities, real-life case examples, and practical tools, attendees will learn to embed and scaffold opportunities for choice/decision making, goal setting, problem-solving, self-management, and self-advocacy within everyday instruction and therapy, emphasizing that children possess these capacities but are frequently denied equitable opportunities children to practice them, especially neurodivergent children, within educational and therapeutic settings.
The workshop emphasizes evidence-informed, strengths-based, child-led strategies that are linked to improved learning and mental health outcomes. Participants will leave energized, confident, and equipped with immediately usable techniques to transform resistance into resilience and help children thrive both in and out of the classroom.
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Recognize the signs of learned helplessness and understand what self-determination looks like in youth across school, home, and therapy settings through real-life scenarios and reflection.
Use self-determination frameworks to guide everyday clinical or educational decisions, supported by practical case examples.
Create and try at least one autonomy-supportive strategy (such as choice boards, goal cards, problem-solving charts, or self-monitoring tools) and reflect on how well it supports student self-determination.

Bio of Primary Speaker: Amy Coopersmith, OTD, MA Ed, OTR/L, FAOTA is a passionate advocate for self-determination with over 30 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist and educator. She served as a school-based therapist in New York City, working as a clinician, evaluator, and supervisor across more than 100 schools. Drawing from her decade as a classroom teacher, Amy recognized the profound impact of child-led, strengths-based teaching methods. Today, she continues to present at national conferences, lead global workshops, conduct research studies, mentor practitioners, and develop innovative tools that translate research into meaningful, real-world practice.

Workshop G

Introduction to Zero Balancing (ZB)

Course Presenters: Sarah-Elizabeth Anderson, LMT, Concord, New Hampshire and Co-Presenter Dan, Sullivan, MPA, LMT, CZB
Affiliation: Zero Balancing (ZB) Faculty

This experiential workshop introduces the principles of ZB touch and a short protocol of fulcrums you may use right away with your patients and clients. This protocol complements treatments including OT, PT, Massage Therapy, health coaching and other wellness approaches. Through hands-on exchange, you will learn to use fulcrums to release tension and promote the relaxation response throughout the whole body. You will discover practical skills for promoting relaxation and create clear, comfortable connections through touch. This will improve your confidence in establishing clear boundaries and using safe touch to support healing in others. Join us for a revitalizing afternoon of inquiry, awareness, grounding and healing.
Learning Objectives:

Describe the theoretical foundations of Zero Balancing as an integrative bodywork approach.
Demonstrate at least two basic fulcrums at interface for releasing tension in the body.

Bio: Sarah-Elizabeth Anderson is an LMT in Concord, New Hampshire. Certified in Zero Balancing (ZB) in 2018, she completed ZB Faculty training in March of 2022. Sarah-Elizabeth practices Zero Balancing in Concord, NH. She is involved with research on ZB for anxiety (https://zbtouch.org/research/zb-and-anxiety/). She holds an AB from the University of Chicago and a MA in Science Education from Teacher’s College at Columbia University. A mother of two young adults, she enjoys swimming in the ocean and skiing in mountains across New England.
Bio: Dan Sullivan, MPA LMT has been a Licensed Massage Therapist in Saranac Lake, NY since 1999. With a Masters in Public Administration and a BA in Economics, Sullivan said the serenity prayer and courageously began working directly with people using his hands. His personal and professional transformational experiences with Zero Balancing, inspired him to become the 478th Certified Practitioner in 2008 and a Mentor in 2022. He is one of five Zero Balancing Mentors in NY and loves educating people to expand their wellness portfolios. In 2015, he was awarded The National American Massage Therapy Association Humanitarian of the Year.

Workshop H

Trauma-Informed Sensory-based Approaches Supporting Health & Wellness

Course Presenters: Tina Champagne, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Affiliation: CEO, Cutchins Programs for Children and Families; International Consultant, Trauma and Sensory Informed Practices
Catherine Cavaliere, PhD, OTR/L
Affiliation: Associate Professor Program in Occupational Therapy, Dominican University, Orangeburg, NY

This pre-conference workshop provides an overview of the art and science behind the trauma-informed application of sensory-based approaches supporting health and wellness. A variety of practical frameworks, tools and activities that can be used in everyday practice will be reviewed and provided. An emphasis on applications for a variety of age ranges and practice settings, as well as the practitioners’ own self-care, health and wellness will be explored.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the neuroscience behind trauma, sensory integration and processing, including but not limited to polyvagal applications.
Analyze a variety of frameworks supporting the use of sensory-based approaches with a variety of age ranges to support resilience, health and wellness.
Understand how to apply a variety of sensory-based practice tools and activities to support clients and one's own health and wellness.

Bio: Dr. Tina Champagne is the CEO of Cutchins Programs for Children and Families and an international consultant for Champagne Conferences & Consultation. She has specific expertise in the areas of trauma, attachment, sensory and trauma informed approaches, and leadership in organizational change. In 2003, she became the first OT to present with the U.S. National Office of Technical Assistance on the intersection between sensory-based approaches and the trauma informed care and the restraint reduction initiatives. She has numerous publications, including two books, numerous book chapters, continuing education and research articles, and she is a reviewer for OT and nursing journals. She has received many awards for her work including the 2023 Award of Merit, the highest honor from the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Bio: Catherine Cavaliere is an Associate Professor and Research Coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Program at Dominican University New York. She is a recognized scholar whose contributions have advanced both occupational therapy practice and education. She has authored chapters in leading professional textbooks, published in peer-reviewed journals, and presented extensively at state and national conferences, shaping the discourse on sensory processing, regulation, trauma-informed practice and education, and polyvagal-informed approaches in occupational therapy that enhance participation and well-being for individuals, families, and communities. She serves as a clinical mentor and research consultant for Unyte Health, where she co-authored pioneering guidelines that integrate polyvagal-informed, sound-based interventions with sensory integration approaches. Through this work, her research and consultation help shape best practices in pediatric and community-based occupational therapy, advancing evidence-informed care and enhancing the quality of services available to children and families. Alongside this work, she mentors practicing therapists in conducting and publishing clinically driven research, reflecting her broader commitment to cultivating the next generation of clinician–scholars.

Saturday 6/6 - One-Hour Educational Sessions (Auditorium)

Session 1

Laughter Yoga: A Complementary and Integrative Approach for Enhancing Well-Being in Clinical Practice

Alexis M. F. Morin, OTD, MOT, OTR
9:00AM–10:00AM

Laughter yoga is an emerging mind–body intervention and complementary and integrative health (CIH) technique that combines intentional laughter with yogic breathing exercises. This session introduces participants to laughter yoga’s core components and its potential benefits in clinical practice. Participants will learn to define laughter yoga as a CIH approach, identify its advantages for both client interventions and practitioner self-care, and apply this knowledge to develop strategies for integrating laughter-based interventions into occupational therapy practice.

Session 2

Incorporating Wellness into OT Education: Ensuring Future Practitioners Are Ready to Practice

Sean M. Getty, OTD, OTR/L
10:00AM–11:00AM

This presentation introduces a program developed to improve the mental health of occupational therapy students in a New York State program. Evidence-based interventions targeting coping skills, time management, physical health, and related wellness domains are presented. Occupation-based groups grounded in theory are discussed, along with programmatic strategies designed to reduce student stress. Participants will identify ways to incorporate similar wellness programming within their own academic institutions or workplace settings.

Session 3

Natural Disasters, Coping, and Wellness: Exploring the Impact of the LA Wildfires

Manisha Sheth, OTD, OTR/L
Stacey Willis, OTD, OTR/L
11:00AM–12:00PM

The increasing frequency of wildfires in California poses significant threats to the spiritual, emotional, physical, and occupational wellness of academic communities. This session presents a mixed-methods study examining how natural disasters disrupt routines, roles, and participation across multiple wellness domains. Participants will explore vulnerabilities specific to academic environments and identify coping strategies that promote resilience. The session highlights occupational therapy’s essential role in preparedness, recovery, and policy development following climate-related disasters.

Session 4

Zero Balancing: First Aid for Stress Relief

Dan Sullivan, MPA, LMT, CZB
12:00–1:00 PM

Zero Balancing is an effective bodywork approach that reduces stress and supports physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual integration. This session introduces a simplified seated Zero Balancing protocol that is accessible to both practitioners and non-practitioners. Participants will experience nuanced quality of touch using cords, dowels, and shared leaning. A guided sequence explores caregiver and recipient positioning while enhancing calm, grounding, and regulation. This holistic approach complements both Western and Eastern wellness models.

Session 5

Run into Wellness: A 10-Minute Pathway for Students with ASD

Sandra Ribeiro, PT, DPT, MSEd, PCS, CTRS
2:30–3:30 PM

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often face barriers to sustained physical activity, yet even short bursts of movement can produce meaningful health benefits. This session presents a 12-week school-based walk-and-run initiative that integrated a 10-minute daily movement routine into the school day. Designed within real-world constraints, the program explored changes in fitness and body composition while demonstrating how small, feasible interventions can lead to sustainable wellness opportunities in school and community settings.

Session 6

An Innovative Approach to OT Service Delivery in the Community: Advancing Health Equity

Quinn Tyminski, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH
Kailin Lust, OTD, OTR/L
3:30–4:30 PM

Homelessness affects over 700,000 individuals in the United States on any given night and is associated with significant physical, mental, and occupational health challenges. This session explores homelessness through an occupational therapy lens, emphasizing environmental barriers, social inequities, and disrupted routines. Participants learn about evidence-informed, occupation-based interventions across the continuum of care and are introduced to innovative funding sources and service delivery models, including Qualified Therapy Solutions, aimed at advancing health equity through community-based practice.

Session 7

Role of Occupational Therapy in Promoting Sleep Among Breast Cancer Survivors

Manisha Sheth, OTD, OTR/L
4:30–5:30 PM

Sleep is a fundamental occupation, yet nearly 80% of breast cancer survivors experience persistent sleep disturbances that limit daily participation. This session examines occupational therapy’s role in addressing sleep as a core occupation across the survivorship continuum. Participants explore how oncology treatments disrupt circadian rhythms and occupational balance and learn occupation-centered interventions such as routine restructuring, sensory modulation, and environmental modification to support resilience, participation, and quality of life.

Saturday 6/6 – Two-Hour Health Sessions

9:00AM-11:00AM

Session 8

Engage, Empower, Experience: Menopause-Informed Wellness for Organizations, Communities, and Individuals

Presenters:
Elizabeth Richardson, MS, OTD, OTR/L
Sarah McCadden, OTD, OTR/L, CSOT, Level 1 FPHP

Description:
In this interactive session, participants build foundational knowledge about the menopause transition and actively engage in menopause-informed wellness practices, translating learning into action. Through guided experiential activities—such as reimagining personal meal routines, somatic and mindful movement, sensory-rich restoration practices, facilitated peer connection, and advocacy-focused dialogue—participants explore how menopause shapes daily routines, roles, and participation while building strategies that can be immediately applied in both personal and professional contexts. Traditional health system perspectives, including Ayurveda, are integrated throughout the educational content and woven into the experiential components.

Session 9

Zero Balancing for Self-Care

Presenter:
Sarah-Elizabeth Anderson, MA, LMT, CZB

Description:
This workshop introduces the principles of Zero Balancing (ZB) and a self-care protocol that can be used regularly for relaxation and overall well-being. Participants explore the use of the fulcrum—a still point on the bone beneath soft tissue—to release tension in the body. Through guided experience, participants settle into internal quiet, align with themselves, and restore energy through deep rest. This ZB self-care protocol is designed for home use and supports relaxation, vagus nerve regulation, and improved energy levels.

11:00AM-1:00PM

Session 10

Tuning Inward: Sound, Vibration, and Breath as Gateways to Body Awareness

Presenter:
Henry Kandel, Founder, Yoga Research Collective

Description:
Interoceptive awareness—the ability to sense internal states—is a key contributor to emotion regulation and trauma recovery, yet clinicians may lack accessible ways to cultivate this capacity. This session introduces sound-based somatic practices using vibration and breath. Participants learn the I-A-O-U-M vocal toning sequence, which moves attention through the body via resonance, supported by live didgeridoo. The experiential component includes didgeridoo-guided meditation, group toning, and a Yoga Nidra body scan. Participants leave with teachable tools applicable to both clinical and personal contexts.

Session 11

Toward a Better Understanding of Spirituality and Occupation in OT Practice

Presenter:
Deborah Budash, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Description:
This session presents findings from three research studies exploring how spirituality is understood and enacted across different participant groups. Content includes how spirituality is perceived, how it evolves across the lifespan, and the occupations associated with spiritual expression. The session also reviews assessments and interventions identified in the literature that support spiritual wellness. By integrating this knowledge, occupational therapy practitioners can more fully address spirituality within scope of practice and support holistic health and well-being.

2:30pm-4:30pm

Session 12

Change, Challenge and Opportunity

Presenter:
Mary Schmidt, OTR, LMT

Description:
“Change is the only constant in life.” - Heraclitus (ca 500 BCE)
How do we navigate change with equanimity, fortitude, and poise? Through acceptance, adaptability, and managing emotions, we can reframe change as an opportunity for growth. In this two-hour session participants will move through self-discovery activities to develop strategies to maneuver change with resilience. Beginning with framework definitions, participants will develop a deeper theoretical understanding of how their nervous system responds to change. Participants will then shift into small groups to work through somatosensory modalities including movement, breath work, and centering practices. After each exercise, individuals will be invited to reflect on their own navigational skills and unique nervous system response. Participants will come away with practical strategies to utilize, trust, and rely on. With practice and mastery, these skills can facilitate personal enrichment and self-
growth and can be applied to all areas of life.

*Please bring your own journaling materials

Session 13

Sensory Health: The Missing Piece in the Wellness Conversation

Presenter:
Cathy Cavaliere, PhD, OTR/L

Description:
Sensory health is the ability to notice, interpret, and respond to information from the body and environment. It includes awareness of feelings, likes, rooted in sensory experience that shape daily life. Understanding sensory processing and integration patterns—and how they influence choices, routines, and engagement — supports a sense of self, well-being, and participation in meaningful activities. Grounded in Polyvagal Theory, this session frames sensory health as a pathway through which the nervous system detects safety and organizes adaptive responses. Participants learn how attuning to sensory patterns supports regulation, and will gain simple tools to assess sensory health to foster health and well-being through a sensory lens.

Sunday 6/7 – Two-Hour Health Sessions

9:00AM-11:00AM

Session 14

Tapping into the Wisdom of Ancient Routines, Habits, and Rituals to Support Health in the Modern World: An Introduction to Ayurvedic Practices

Presenter:
Megan Bailes, OTD, OTR/L

Description:
Participants learn to identify the three Ayurvedic doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) through self-assessment and partner activities, developing skills applicable across clinical settings. The session explores Ayurveda’s three pillars—nutrition, sleep, and energy management—through experiential grounding meditation, dosha assessment, and guided development of personalized daily and seasonal routines. Attendees leave with immediately implementable strategies that bridge ancient wisdom with contemporary occupational therapy practice.

Session 15

Mindfulness for OT/PT Students, Practitioners, and Educators

Presenter:
Margaret (Peggy) Morris, OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Description:
Occupational and physical therapy students, practitioners, and educators experience elevated stress and burnout that negatively impacts learning, engagement, and health. This session presents evidence supporting mindfulness practices to reduce stress, enhance well-being, and prevent burnout. Experiential components include breath awareness, body scan, gatha, mandala coloring, and walking meditation. Participants develop action plans for personal and professional integration, including curriculum applications, informed by outcomes from Tufts University’s MIEA mindfulness training initiative.

Session 16

Social Prescribing and Eco-Anxiety: A Proposed Strategy for Occupational Engagement to Reduce Hopelessness

Presenter:
Emma Kaplan, OTD, MS, OTR/L

Description:
Climate change poses a significant threat to global health and contributes to eco-anxiety, characterized by prolonged fear related to environmental decline. This session proposes social prescribing as an occupational therapy strategy to address eco-anxiety by promoting engagement in environmental volunteerism. Participants identify community-based environmental concerns and practice creating social prescriptions using case studies, supporting meaningful engagement and psychosocial resilience.

11:00AM-1:00PM

Session 17

Restoring Calm: Neuroregulation Strategies for the Vagus Nerve

Presenter:
Deanna Waggy, MSA, OTR, CZB

Description:
This hands-on session introduces evidence-based neuroregulation strategies grounded in occupational therapy, polyvagal theory, and somatic awareness. Participants learn simple interventions—such as breath regulation, posture, and self-acupressure—to regulate the vagus nerve and restore calm. Experiential practice emphasizes quick reset techniques suitable for clinical, educational, and community settings.

Session 18

Wellness Principles for Practice and Education

Presenters:
Cicily Talerico, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Peggy Swarbrick, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Description:
The Eight Dimensions of Wellness Model offers a holistic occupational therapy framework for sustaining healthy habits, routines, and meaningful daily lives. In this interactive workshop, participants explore how higher education institutions and OT programs implement this model to promote student wellness across campus contexts. Participants complete a guided self-assessment and develop a personalized wellness plan, gaining practical tools applicable to both personal and professional practice.

2:30-4:30PM

Session 19

Restoring Calm: Neuroregulation Strategies for the Vagus Nerve

Leveraging Neuroscience to Increase Compassion for Self and Others
Presenter: Janis Davis, PhD, OTR/L

Description:
This session explores the neuroscience and economics of compassion and their relevance to healthcare practice. Through experiential compassion practices, participants examine how cultivating compassion supports presence, reduces burnout, and mitigates communication errors. Although centered on individual growth, the session extends compassion outward to workplace contexts, supporting meaning, purpose, and sustainable professional engagement.

Session 20

Cultivating Life: An Interactive Wellness Retreat for Practitioners

Presenters:
Nadia Rust, OTD, OTR/L
Mary Walsh Roche, DMH, OTR/L, LMT

Description:
This two-hour wellness retreat invites practitioners to explore how personal well-being intersects with professional identity and practice. Using frameworks of professional humility and the Leading Causes of Life, the session reframes clinician well-being as integral rather than supplemental. Experiential and reflective practices focused on agency, connection, coherence, hope, and blessing support renewal of purpose. The retreat concludes with dialogue and ceremony to integrate insights into practice.

Session 21

Spirituality, Wellness, and Indigenous People

Presenter:
Rebecca Vicente, LCSW, EdD, CFTP, C-DBT

Description:
This session examines the historical roots of indigenous healing practices and their alignment with contemporary mental health interventions. Participants explore how many modern clinical practices are colonized adaptations of indigenous knowledge and discuss the benefits of integrating these approaches for holistic mind health. Experiential components include use of the medicine wheel framework through small-group discussion and reflective processing.