Online Workshop

September 4 to 17, 2026 (on your own)
Fridays, September 18 & 25, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Cognition is a functional domain that can be impacted by an injury, condition, disability, or significant changes in contextual demands. Cognitive difficulties can be difficult to navigate for occupational therapists due to the multi-factorial determinants of cognitive abilities. These difficulties, which can be modulated by contextual factors, can affect the occupational participation of clients, as expressed by the Canadian Model of Occupational Participation (CanMOP; Egan & Restall, 2022). Occupational therapy professionals can be leaders on the health care team in assessing function cognition and providing cognitive rehabilitation that includes interventions to improve cognitive functioning, to change the activity demands, or to change the social or physical environment ( Giles et al., 2019).

This workshop will provide occupational therapy professionals with a foundation of knowledge and skills in cognitive rehabilitation based on the publication Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation: Systematic review of the literature from 2009 through 2014 ( Cicerone et al., 2019). A pre-recorded lecture (approximately 2 hours) will review principles, theories, and models of practice in cognitive rehabilitation must be reviewed prior to the workshop. An optional pre-recorded lecture (approximately 30 minutes) on return to work and cognitive work hardening will also be available for participants working in this practice area. During the two-day workshop, participants will learn the principles of cognitive rehabilitation assessment and intervention strategies to increase the occupational participation of adults experiencing deficits in meta-cognition, awareness, memory, attention, and executive functioning. To consolidate learning, participants will have a chance to apply these strategies to case study examples and will complete a quiz at the end of each workshop day. 

Preliminary workshop agenda

Pre-recorded lecture: September 4 to 17, 2026 

September 18, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

September 25, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

*General timeline. Break and lunch breaks are fixed. Topic timelines may vary depending on progression.

Learning objectives

After watching the pre-recorded lecture, you will be able to:

1. Understand the principles, theories, and models of practice in cognitive rehabilitation.
2. Understand the rationale for cognitive work hardening and recommend accommodations for the return to work or school process.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Identify current cognitive assessment tools for attention, memory, executive functioning, and awareness impairments.
2. Apply bottom-up and top-down intervention strategies within occupational therapy practice to improve attention, memory, executive functioning, and awareness impairments that impact occupational participation.
3. Consider how to apply the evidence from Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation: Systematic review of the literature from 2009 through 2014 (Cicerone et al., 2019) in a functional context with various client populations living with cognitive deficits. 

Target audience

Occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, and students in occupational therapy programs working with adults living with cognitive impairments that impact occupational participation. Participants are expected to have watched the pre-recorded webinar (approximately 2 hours, available on September 4, 2026) prior to attending the two-day workshop.

Cognitive rehabilitation by occupational therapists has been researched with people who sustained a brain injury (e.g., Dougherty & Radomski, 1987), people with schizophrenia (e.g., Wykes et al., 2011), people who sustained a stroke (e.g., Wolf, 2011), people with depression (e.g., Motter et al., 2015), people who have a substance use disorder (e.g., Rezapour et al., 2019), people with multiple sclerosis (e.g., Chen et al., 2021). There is also preliminary support for cognitive rehabilitation for people experiencing long COVID-19 (e.g., Watters et al., 2021) and for adults with Parkinson’s disease (e.g., Foster et al., 2021).

Please note: Both the presenters' clinical experience is primarily in private practice with people with a mild traumatic brain injury and/or mood disorders who are off work or having difficulty at work (ages 18-65 predominantly). Therefore, case studies, assessment tools, and evidence-based guidelines are developed from these populations. 

Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Adults (20-64 years old)

Areas of practice

Brain Injury/Concussion, Cognition, Generalist, Mental Health, MVA Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Return to Work

Workshop level

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in cognitive rehabilitation)

Please note: Participants with more than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 0-2 years of experience.

Presenters

Adam Ly, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Adam Ly, OT Reg. (Ont.), is an occupational therapist practising in London, Ontario since 2016. He focuses on helping adults who experience mild-moderate cognitive impairments, mental health, and return to work due to various conditions including mild traumatic brain injury, mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and late-diagnosis autism. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Western University in the School of Occupational Therapy, an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto in the Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Department, a workshop presenter through CAOT, and a mentor at CBI Health. He has completed psychotherapy supervision at The Beck Institute in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is a Certified Multi-Context Approach clinician by Dr. Joan Toglia.

Amandeep (Aman) Bains, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Aman Bains graduated from Western University in 2004.  He started his career working in community mental health, prior to joining CBI Health in 2007.  He has practised in many roles at CBI Health including as an outpatient OT, Senior Regional OT, Provincial Practice Lead for Complex Care, and currently as the Senior Manager of National Training & Development.  He is also the National Lead for Physical and Cognitive Functional Capacity Evaluations at CBI Health.  Aman has extensive occupational rehabilitation experience working on an interdisciplinary team assisting clients with physical, cognitive and psychosocial barriers in return to function.   Over the years, Aman has facilitated a number of courses related to functional capacity evaluation, ergonomics, occupational rehabilitation, physical & cognitive job demands analysis, risk assessment & intervention, and cognitive rehabilitation. He is passionate about best practice in complex care, mental health, cognitive rehabilitation and assisting in the development journey of others.    

Registration fees

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)
Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.  

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.  

Registration fee includes:

• Access to the online workshop platform
• Access to the workshop recording for 14 days following the live sessions
• An electronic copy of the presentation slide handouts
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• An electronic certificate of attendance

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by August 19, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after August 19, 2026 . Substitutions and transfers requests received by August 19, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to  education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before July 24, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until August 7, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs

 

Provide suggestions for Professional Development

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca  or 1-800-434-2268.

This workshop is offered in English.

Online Workshop

Thursday, September 17, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Aging in place is defined as the extent to which older adults are able to age in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Supporting Canada’s growing older adult population to age well, in reasonably good health, and to live independently requires a combination of health and social services ( Iciaszczyk et al., 2023). Occupational therapists (OTs) have expertise in assessing and addressing the impact of the context on a person’s occupational participation ( ACOTRO et al., 2021), including the fit between persons and the built environment ( Ainsworth & de Jonge, 2018), as well as the need for personal care and other assistance. Given that the majority of current housing stock is inaccessible or unsafe for people living with physical and/or cognitive impairments ( Choi, 2021; Reid, 2022; Statistics Canada, 2022), OTs are often asked to recommend home modifications, including assistive devices and structural adaptations. This requires an in-depth level of knowledge and training that OTs are unlikely to receive during their entry-level occupational therapy education ( Meyer & Proganc, 2022).

This one-day workshop will build the competency of occupational therapists regarding what to assess and how, as well as how to overcome physical access barriers by matching home modification solutions to the needs of aging and older adults, and their care partners. This workshop will begin with an overview of how and where older Canadians typically live, the challenges they face both in terms of overcoming functional limitations and navigating the health care system, and the need for occupational therapy-based aging-in-place services. The presenter will then briefly touch on the collaborative role that occupational therapists (OTs) play relative to others involved in the home health and home modification industries (e.g., supplier-dealers, designers, contractors, builders, funders). Significantly more time and attention will be spent describing areas and methods of assessments, as well as residential design standards and guidelines for improved function, safety, and accessibility. This includes reviewing examples of home modification assessment tools, documentation, and report templates. Case scenarios and images of real-world projects will be used to explore best practices for age-inclusive, health promoting built environments. Small group discussions will be used throughout the workshop to assist participants in applying their knowledge to case scenarios.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Define key terminology, including aging in place, home safety, home modifications, accessibility, and universal or inclusive design.
2. Understand the role of occupational therapists in facilitating aging in place via home modifications.
3. Identify methods and practices used during occupational therapy-based home modification assessments with older adults.
4. Describe home modification solutions to remove physical access barriers for aging and older adults.
5. Describe home modification solutions to promote occupational participation among older adults.
6. Respond to the individual and societal factors that influence the adoption of home modifications for aging in place.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians with a minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience working in the community with (older) adults. Late-career OTs who are planning ahead for their own aging journey are also welcome to attend.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Areas of practice

Assistive Technology, Cognition, Dementia, Equipment Assessments, Home Assessment & Modification, Insurance Assessment, Medical-Legal Services, MSK Rehabilitation, MVA Rehabilitation, Older Adults, Role-Emerging, Universal & Inclusive Design,
Veterans Affairs or Armed Forces

Client age group

Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 3-5 years of experience.

Presenter

Margot McWhirter, MA, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Margot McWhirter is an occupational therapist with a Master's Degree in Gerontology, as well as certifications in Universal Design, Patient Navigation, and the Executive Certificate in Home Modifications (ECHM) from the University of Southern California. She operates her Ontario-based practice, Inclusive Aging, which focuses on family-centred, aging-in-place services. These services include both simple and complex home modifications, equipment and care coordination, and education for clients, family and/or care partners Margot also collaborates with businesses to enable accessible, age-inclusive products, spaces, and services. She is the co-chair of the CAOT's Home Modifications and Inclusive Design Network, a member of an interprofessional Design and Dementia Community of Practice, and a retired member of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)'s B651 Technical Committee on Accessible Design for the Built Environment. Frequently invited as a public speaker and guest lecturer, Margot taught for York University's Faculty of Health - Health Leadership and Learning Network (HLLN) prior to its closure in May 2024. Margot is dedicated to ending one of the last socially acceptable prejudices - ageism - and is committed to empowering others to grow (b)older with purpose.

Registration fees

Registration deadline: September 17, 2026 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)  

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.  

Registration fee includes:

• Access to the online workshop platform
• Access to the workshop recording for 14 days following the live sessions
• An electronic copy of the presentation slide handouts
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• An electronic certificate of attendance

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to  education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by September 2, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after September 2, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by September 2, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to  education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before August 7, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until August 21, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs

 

Provide suggestions for Professional Development

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.  
 

Online Workshop

September 11, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

The mind-body connection and neuroplasticity are highly relevant topics for the Canadian occupational therapy community, especially as occupational therapists (OTs) increasingly address complex conditions such as chronic pain, mental health disorders, neurological injuries, long COVID, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections—plays a crucial role in recovery and rehabilitation, enabling OTs to design interventions that promote recovery and enhance functional outcomes ( Katz & Dwyer, 2021). Given that 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental health challenges each year, and the prevalence of conditions like long COVID and ME/CFS is rising, understanding neuroplasticity is essential for optimizing therapy ( Statistics Canada, 2024). 

The mind-body connection allows OTs to create holistic, individualized approaches that foster resilience and improve the quality of life and facilitate occupational participation for clients. This knowledge equips OTs with powerful tools to support clients in overcoming limitations and achieving meaningful participation in daily life, making this topic integral to the evolving landscape of occupational therapy in Canada. In this workshop, the mind-body connection and neuroplasticity will be explored, focusing on how these concepts can be applied in occupational therapy practice. Topics include how the brain adapts and reorganizes in response to injury, trauma, and conditions like chronic pain, long COVID, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Participants will learn practical strategies to support clients, including movement, mindfulness, and therapeutic exercises to promote neuroplastic changes. The workshop will also address how stress, trauma, and chronic illness impact the nervous system and how OTs can foster resilience through mind-body interventions. A case study will provide an example of how to bring it together in therapy planning. By the end, participants will gain tools to enhance client recovery and improve overall functioning.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Explain the principles of neuroplasticity and their relevance to occupational therapy intervention for conditions such as chronic pain, mental health disorders, long COVID, and ME/CFS.
2. Describe how the mind-body connection influences nervous system function, stress responses, and occupational engagement across diverse clinical presentations.
3. Identify the impacts of trauma, chronic illness, and dysregulation on the nervous system, and recognize signs that may guide assessment and therapy planning.
4. Apply practical, evidence-informed mind-body strategies: such as movement, mindfulness, breathwork, and sensory-based interventions to promote neuroplastic changes and functional outcomes.
5. Integrate a holistic, collaboration-centred framework to design interventions that enhance resilience, emotional regulation, and participation in meaningful occupations. 

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians and educators who wish to learn how integrate and apply principles of neuroplasticity into their practice to support their clients' occupational participation. Students in occupational therapy programs are also welcome to participate.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Children (5-12 years old), Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Acute Care, Autism/Neurodiversity, Brain injury/Concussion/Spinal Cord, Cancer Care, Cardio-Respiratory Care, Case Management, Chronic Disease Management, ,Education & Fieldwork, Forensic Mental Health, Generalist, Global Health, Hand Therapy, Health Promotion & Wellness, Indigenous Health, Mental Health, MSK Rehabilitation, MVA Rehabilitation, Neurology, Older Adults, Primary Care, Psychotherapy, Return to Work, Sensory Integration & Processing, Service/Business Administration, Sexuality & Gender, Substance Use/Addictions, Veterans Affairs or Armed Forces

Workshop level

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 0-2 years of experience.

Presenter

Zara Dureno, Reg. OT (BC)
Zara Dureno is an occupational therapist with experience and training in Mental Health, ME/CFS, long COVID, chronic pain, and concussion recovery. With a compassionate, holistic, and evidence-based approach, she helps clients regulate their nervous systems, build resilience, and reclaim their lives. Informed by her own recovery from chronic conditions and her love of neuroscience, Zara integrates many holistic and evidence-based to support lasting change. As a presenter, she is passionate about sharing practical strategies that empower both clients and clinicians in their journey toward healing and well-being.

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by July 15, 2026

CAOT Members and Associates	CAOT Student/ Provisional Associates & Retired Members	Non-member*
$220	$195	$275

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after July 15, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.   

Registration fee includes:

• Access to the online workshop platform
• Access to the workshop recording for 14 days following the live sessions
• An electronic copy of the presentation slide handouts
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• An electronic certificate of attendance

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to  education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by August 26, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after August 26, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by August 26, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to  education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before July 31, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until August 14, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs

 

Provide suggestions for Professional Development

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268 

This workshop will be offered in English.

Thursday, September 10 & Friday, September 11, 2026

12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Interoception is the sixth sense that is at the core of how the internal body environment is regulated (Mahler, 2015). The body was designed with a multitude of interoceptive receptors to give the brain clues regarding how it is feeling and what is needed in order to find balance and comfort. The journey of interoception for clients must start with learning the language of the different body sensations, then moving on to recognize and match the intensity of these body sensations to emotion (Mahler, 2015).  Occupational therapy professionals can equip clients to identify body sensations and understand their relationship to emotions. This set of emotional literacy skills empowers clients to be in tune with their bodies, their needs, their authentic selves and, with this knowledge, to advocate for the tools necessary to process stress and to regulate self. Teaching interoception and emotional literacy facilitates occupational therapy practices that are neurodiversity affirming and trauma sensitive (Mahler, 2015; Endow, 2023). 

This experiential and interactive workshop will explore interoception as the sixth sense and its relevance to self-regulation and daily life participation. A variety of evidence-based tools and interventions relevant to the pediatric population will be discussed and experienced. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in the interventions first, and these learning experiences will influence how they apply them to their occupational therapy practice.  Throughout this workshop, research related to masking, mental health, suicide, trauma, and their relationship to interoception will be discussed. Large and small group discussions, experiential exercises for individuals and in groups will be utilized to facilitate the integration of knowledge into practice. 

Preliminary workshop agenda

Day 1

Day 2

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Understand interoception and how it relates to daily participation, emotional literacy, and self-regulation.
2. Discuss the role of interoception when addressing emotional literacy, masking, mental health challenges, suicide, and trauma from a neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-sensitive lens.
3. Learn to implement into practice a variety of evidence-based tools and interventions that address interoception awareness when working with children, youth, and families.

Target audience

Occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, and students in occupational therapy programs or OTA/PTA programs who are seeking increased skills in addressing interoception in a neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-sensitive way when working with children, youth, and their families.

Areas of practice 

Autism/Neurodiversity, Caregiver/Family Education, Developmental Disability, Mental Health, Parental Health, Pediatrics, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Sensory Integration & Processing, Self-regulation, Trauma 

Client age group

Young children (2-4 years old), Children (5-12 years old), Adolescents (13-19 years old) 

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area) 

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 3-5 years of experience.

Presenter

Alex Thompson, Reg. OT (BC) 

Alex Thompson is the executive director and founder of Power for All, a charity that has been offering nature-based occupational therapy services to clients of all ages and abilities in the Fraser Valley for the last 16 years. Alex has a variety of credentials in the areas of early years and school age education, outdoor recreation, adventure therapy, mental health, trauma, yoga, fitness and occupational therapy. She shares her passion for an accessible world by teaching at the University of the Fraser Valley in the Child, Youth, and Family Studies department. She is a speaker at local and international  conferences and offers training at municipal Parks and Recreation departments, private and public-school districts, and community organizations. She has worked in Inuit communities and abroad in a variety of countries as an OT pediatric consultant. She is a published author and researcher in the Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation. In her spare time, she loves being in nature and volunteering for social justice and inclusive sport causes.

Registration fees

Registration deadline: September 10, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.

Registration fee includes:

1. Access to the online workshop platform
2. Access to the workshop recording for 14 days following the live session
3. An electronic copy of the presentation slide handouts
4. Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
5. An electronic certificate of attendance

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by August 26, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after August 26, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by August 26, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration.

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before July 31, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until August 14, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs

  Provide suggestions for Professional Development


The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.    

Please note that workshop is offered in English.

Online workshop

May 28 to June 10, 2026 (on your own)
Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Occupational therapists in Canada must facilitate clients’ use of their strengths and resources to sustain occupational participation (ACOTRO et al., 2024). Occupational therapists can use sensory modulation interventions successfully to assist people with various mental illnesses to regulate emotional and physiological arousal (Kandlur et al., 2023), while keeping their clients’ occupation at the centre of practice. Sensory modulation is an effective approach for the self-management of anxiety (Wallis et al., 2018), depression (Canbeyli, 2022), adult ADHD symptoms (Adamou et al., 2021), and sensory processing challenges in autism spectrum disorder (Lin et al., 2019), as well as other mental illnesses.

The beginner-level workshop “Sensory intelligence and occupational therapy - Co-creating sensory self-regulation strategies for mental health with adolescents and adults (Level 1)” provided an overview of sensory modulation concepts, assessments, and applications for self-regulation in mental health and illness. This intermediate-level workshop is intended for occupational therapy professionals who previously attended the beginner-level workshop and who are seeking an opportunity to deepen their understanding and apply their prior knowledge to clients with mental illness.

Five diagnoses that are commonly seen in community and return-to-work mental health settings were chosen: ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, depression, and PTSD. For each, the typical symptoms and functional difficulties will be reviewed, what and how to assess, and how to assist such a client to self-regulate their emotions and arousal levels sustainably for optimal participation in their daily occupations. Workshop participants will participate actively by completing a pre-workshop assignment and readings on a case study, and work in small groups to present their findings on a case study with a specific diagnosis, and an occupational therapy plan to other participants, while the workshop facilitators will provide examples, guidance, facilitate discussion and answer questions. Workshop participants are also asked to bring for discussion a case study inspired by their own practice.

Please note: This workshop is presented by the Founder and CEO of Sensory Intelligence Consulting and will discuss two sensory processing assessments developed by Sensory Intelligence (one free and one paid). It is not necessary to purchase or use these assessments to benefit from the information presented in this workshop.

• Access to the online workshop platform
• Access to the workshop recording for 14 days following the live session
• An electronic copy of the presentation slide handouts
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• An electronic certificate of attendance

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received prior to May 13, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after May 13, 2026 . Substitutions and transfers requests received by May 13, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop due to personal or family health issues, please reach out to  education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the  same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before April 17, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until May 1, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

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  Professional Development FAQs

  Provide suggestions for Professional Development


The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.    

This workshop is offered in English.

Online

Friday, May 8, 2026

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

With an increase in dedicated sensory-friendly spaces for neurodivergent children and youth in schools and their community, sometimes their own home setting can be overlooked. With over 9% of children in Canada being diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder such as ADHD or ASD, there is a need to ensure that this population has tailored spaces available for them (Kids Brain Health Network, 2021). 

This one-day, virtual workshop is designed for occupational therapy professionals working with neurodivergent children and youth—especially those supporting families in home settings. While many therapeutic strategies begin in the clinic, sustainable impact happens when these supports are embedded into daily routines and into the physical home environment. Through a practical, room-by-room approach (e.g., kitchen, bathroom, dining space, play area and bedroom), this workshop will guide participants in co-creating with families and adapting home spaces to support occupational participation at home. Drawing on the BEST (Body, Emotional, Sensory, Thinking) Strategies Framework, participants will explore key assessment and intervention components that promote psychological and physical safety. Participants will gain practical tools, renewed confidence, and an evidence-based framework to guide families in creating neurodivergent-affirming spaces that support regulation, occupational participation and family well-being.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Define key principles of neurodivergent-affirming practice and their relevance to home settings.
2. Become familiar with the most common neurodivergent profiles and how they may impact participation
3. Apply the BEST (Body, Emotional, Sensory, Thinking) Approach to environmental assessment to identify adaptations that support occupational participation at home
4. Identify practical, renter-friendly, and cost-conscious strategies to modify home spaces to best support neurodivergent children and youth
5. Problem-solve environmental adaptations for common challenges such as elopement, navigating shared spaces, risky play and difficulties with transitions.
6. Develop skills to effectively collaborate with and coach families in sustaining supportive home environments that align with each child’s unique needs.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians; Occupational therapist educators; and/or Occupational therapist assistants who wish to feel more confident in their ability to co-create home spaces that better address the sensory, emotional, motor, and cognitive needs of neurodivergent clients.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Young children (0-4 years old) Children (5-12 years old) Adolescents (13-19 years old)

Areas of practice

Autism/Neurodiversity Developmental Disability Sensory Integration & Processing

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 3-5 years of experience.

Presenter

Moira Pena, BScOT, MOT, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Moira is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience supporting autistic children, youth, and their families. She works at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and is the founder of Moira Peña Sensory Workshops, where she delivers professional development trainings. She is the creator and host of Holland Bloorview’s Autism Summit, a knowledge-sharing initiative featuring two international summits, a coaching program for occupational therapists, an open-access autism toolkit, and the Autism Occupational Therapy Guiding Principles—co-developed in collaboration with autistic individuals, families, and professionals. Moira is also an Expert Hub Team member of the ECHO Ontario Autism Program, supporting clinicians and educators in implementing best practices in autism care. She is a published author, an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto, and a certified Solution-Focused Healthcare Facilitator and Coach (C-SFHC).

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by March 11, 2026

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after March 11, 2026

Registration deadline: May 8, 2026 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.

Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by April 22, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after April 22, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by April 22, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration.  CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before March 27, 2026, if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until April 10, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes. 

  Provide suggestions for Professional Development


The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.  

Please note that workshop is offered in English.

Friday, May 1, 2026

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and occupational therapy share a consistent body of philosophical assumptions and practical modalities of facilitating health and well-being. For example, both occupational therapy and ACT emphasize meaningful activity, values-based living, pragmatism, and health and the promotion of well-being. Soft and hard skills (concepts and interventions) that work transdiagnostically (Dindo et al., 2017) provide tools to address human suffering in an effective way (Hofmann et al., 2021). Learning ACT will expand the intervention options of occupational therapists to promote a life enriched by participation in meaningful roles and valued occupations, even in the presence of pain.

This one-day workshop will explore creative ways that occupational therapists can utilize various acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) processes to support their clients in living well. Throughout the workshop, connections will be drawn between ACT as an intervention and occupational therapy as a profession. ACT will be described and compared to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).  Foundational concepts and processes in ACT – including functional contextualism, pragmatism, creative hopelessness, workability, psychological flexibility, the Hexaflex model, acceptance, experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion and defusion, and contact with the present moment – will be explored and applied to occupational therapy practice. The structure of ACT sessions in single-session and multiple-session therapy will be outlined. Experiential exercises, metaphors, and small group discussions will be used throughout the workshop to support participants in applying the information from the workshop to their practice.

Preliminary workshop agenda

10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (ET)	ACT as part of the third wave of cognitive behavioural therapies. Behaviour and context ACT as a CBT therapy - Similarities and differences - CBT and ACT interventions side by side - illustration.  ACT as a transdiagnostic modality  Human suffering - Healthy normality vs. destructive normality: Assumptions that shape the way we act as health care providers  ACT foundation - Functional contextualism. Pragmatism. A pragmatic truth.
11:30 - 11:45 a.m. (ET)	Break
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. (ET)	Why do people come to therapy? The control agenda.  Creative hopelessness and workability - A possible way to start ACT work.   Psychological flexibility - The Holy Grail of ACT. The Hexaflex model. Processes associated with well-being and psychopathology, respectively.   Acceptance and experiential avoidance. Promoting acceptance and willingness through experiential exercises and metaphors. Building skills to promote acceptance and willingness. Cognitive fusion and defusion. Building skills to promote cognitive defusion - Experiential exercises and metaphors.   Contact with the present moment. Promoting contact with the present moment - Experiential exercises and metaphors
1:15 - 1:45 p.m. (ET)	Break
1:45 - 3:15 p.m. (ET)	Self as context - The observing self. Expanding the sense of self to promote the observing self - experiential exercises and metaphors.  Values clarification. Helping the client clarify their values. Experiential exercises and metaphors.  Committed action. Establishing and maintaining patterns of value-based behaviours. Building skills through experiential exercises and metaphors.   A deeper dive in understanding the power and utility of therapeutic metaphors in initiating and supporting change. Principles of change and the use of metaphors to promote behavioural change.  The ACT Matrix - Conceptualizing the clients' presentation and structuring interventions. Using the ACT Matrix for single session intervention. Applications and examples. In session modelling and practice.
3:15 - 3:30 p.m. (ET)	Break
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. (ET)	The ACT Matrix - Conceptualizing the clients' presentation and structuring interventions. Using the ACT Matrix for single session intervention. Applications and examples.  In session modelling and practice.

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Explain some basic ACT assumptions and philosophical foundations, including functional contextualism, pragmatism, ACT as a third wave CBT modality, and healthy normality vs. destructive normality.
2. Apply the ACT Hexaflex to address psychopathology and promote well-being in occupational therapy.
3. Promote psychological flexibility by using these six processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, contact with the present moment, self as context, values clarification, and committed action.
4. Use therapeutic metaphors to initiate and support healthy behavioural change as well as to facilitate occupational participation.
5. Use the ACT Matrix process to conceptualize clinical presentations transdiagnostically, and to promote and support healthy behavioural change in various health care settings.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians and educators who wish to learn how to use acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) effectively to support their clients in living well, even in the presence of psycho-emotional pain. Students in occupational therapy programs are also welcome to participate.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc. 

Client age group

Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Case Management, Chronic Disease Management, Chronic Pain, Cognition, Forensic Mental Health, Mental Health, Primary Care, Psychotherapy, Return to Work, Substance Use/Addiction.

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 3-5 years of experience.

Presenter

Catalin Fecior, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Cata Fecior has been practicing as an occupational therapist/mental health counsellor in primary care for 13 years. He currently works for the Hamilton Family Health Team where he facilitates therapeutic change via individual and group therapy. After training and practicing with more traditional CBT models, he found himself attracted (and at times confused and perplexed) by the philosophy of functional contextualism and the practice of acceptance and commitment therapy. He has been infected with an indelible virus: the virus of the ACT Matrix, which has fundamentally changed the way he relates and practices with clients (and himself). At his current workplace, he has been facilitating an acceptance and commitment therapy community of practice, where clinicians with ACT affinities meet to discuss and practice ACT-related skills. He developed an ACT-based therapeutic group that has been running for the last three years. He has facilitated ACT workshops, more recently for the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists and as part of the continuing professional education for The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neuroscience at McMaster University. His interests outside work include playing music with no audience, being on a tennis court, as well as reading and practicing Zen Buddhism to the best of his abilities.

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by March 4, 2026

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after March 4, 2026

Registration deadline: May 1, 2026 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.

Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by April 15, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after April 15, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by April 15, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration.  

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before March 20, 2026, if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until April 3, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes. 

  Provide suggestions for Professional Development


The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.  

Please note that workshop is offered in English.

Virtuel

Le vendredi 17 avril 2026 

12 h à 15 h 45 (Heure de l’Est)

Quelle heure est-ce pour moi?

Le Référentiel de compétences pour les ergothérapeutes au Canada (ACORE et al., 2021) souligne la nécessité pour les ergothérapeutes de s’attaquer aux inégalités sociales et de santé persistantes vécues par diverses communautés minoritaires partout au Canada. Les ergothérapeutes ont la responsabilité de travailler dès maintenant à développer ces compétences en réfléchissant de manière critique aux pratiques actuelles et en appliquant des pratiques fondées sur la lutte contre l’oppression et sur les droits de la personne. Bien que la documentation continue de faire partie intégrante des soins de santé de qualité en soutenant la réflexion, l’analyse, la communication et l’amélioration de la qualité, elle demeure néanmoins une pratique chargée de pouvoir, qui peut contribuer tant à l’oppression qu’à la lutte contre celle-ci (Healy et al., 2022; MacLachlan et Grenier, 2022).

Cet atelier d’une demi-journée dote les ergothérapeutes et autres prestataires de soins de connaissances fondamentales sur les pratiques de documentation anti-oppressives, et d’outils concrets pour commencer à les appliquer. Au cours de la première partie de l’atelier, les personnes présentatrices partageront des concepts importants des pratiques de documentation anti-oppressives sous forme de conférence. Au cours de la deuxième partie, les personnes participantes auront l’occasion de s’exercer à appliquer les concepts appris et de discuter des défis actuels et des occasions à saisir en sous-groupes, avec le soutien des personnes présentatrices.

Ordre du jour préliminaire

Objectifs d'apprentissage

À la fin de cet atelier, les personnes participantes seront en mesure de :

1. Reconnaître comment les pratiques de documentation peuvent contribuer à l’oppression ou à la lutte contre celle-ci, en particulier pour les communautés minoritaires du Canada.
2. Réfléchir de manière critique à leurs pratiques de documentation actuelles.
3. Appliquer les pratiques de documentation anti-oppressives dans leur travail.

Public cible

Ergothérapeutes, assistantes et assistants de l’ergothérapeute et personnes étudiantes dans les programmes d’ergothérapie qui souhaitent améliorer leur compréhension et leurs compétences en matière de documentation anti-oppressive dans tous les domaines de pratique et avec des clientèles de tous les groupes d’âge. Les physiothérapeutes et les travailleuses et travailleurs sociaux sont également bienvenus.

Veuillez noter : Chaque personne participante est responsable de s'assurer qu'elle applique les informations dans le contexte de son permis d'exercice, des lois provinciales ou territoriales, des règlements de son établissement, de son champ de pratique, etc.

Groupes d'âge de la clientèle

Jeunes enfants (0-4 ans), Enfants d’âge scolaire (5-12 ans), Personnes adolescentes (13-19 ans), Adultes (20-64 ans), Personnes âgées (65 ans et +)

Domaines de pratique

La défense des droits et intérêts, l'équité et la justice, la santé des Autochtones, le leadership et le changement, l'élaboration de politiques

Personnes présentatrices

Marie-Lyne Grenier, MScOT, DOT, Ph. D. (c), erg.

Marie-Lyne Grenier réside et travaille à Tiohtià:ke (Montréal) sur les terres non cédées du peuple Kanien'kehá:ka. Elle travaille comme ergothérapeute depuis 2010 et a exercé la profession aux États-Unis et au Canada dans des domaines de pratique incluant la réadaptation musculosquelettique, le retour au travail, les soins à domicile et l’ergonomie. Elle est également chargée de cours au Département d’ergothérapie de l’Université McGill et candidate au doctorat au Département d’études intégrées en éducation de McGill. Sa recherche doctorale vise à mieux comprendre les expériences éducatives qui soutiennent le développement et/ou le renforcement de l’engagement des personnes étudiantes en soins de santé pour l’équité et la justice dans les contextes de soins.

Frais d'inscription

Date limite de l’inscription: 17 avril 2026 à 9 h 59 (Heure de l’Est)  

Veuillez noter que l'ACE n’offre pas de frais d'inscription de groupe pour les ateliers.

*Il peut être plus rentable de devenir membre ou associé(e) de l'ACE plutôt que de payer le frais de non-membre. Consultez la section "Un non-membre peut-il s'inscrire à un atelier ?" de notre FAQ sur le développement professionnel pour des renseignements supplémentaires.

Inclus dans vos frais d'inscription

Atelier virtuel, accès à l’enregistrement pour une période de 14 jours suivant l’atelier, une copie électronique des documents de l’atelier, possibilité de réseauter et de créer des liens avec d'autres ergothérapeutes qui s'intéressent à ce sujet, certificat de participation électronique.

Politique d’annulation ou de remboursement

Toutes les demandes d'annulation ou de remboursement doivent être envoyées par écrit à education@caot.ca. Toutes les demandes reçues avant le 1er avril 2026 recevront un remboursement complet moins des frais administratifs de 50,00 $. Aucun remboursement ne sera accordé après le 1er avril 2026. Les demandes de substitution et de transfert reçues avant le 1er avril 2026 sont autorisées et sont assujetties à des frais administratifs de 50,00 $.

Si vous n'êtes exceptionnellement pas en mesure de terminer l'atelier, veuillez contacter education@caot.ca dans les 25 jours suivant la fin de l'atelier pour un accès prolongé à l'enregistrement (jusqu'à un mois après la fin de l'atelier) ou un transfert unique vers une autre offre du même atelier si l'inscription est actuellement ouverte.

L'ACE se réserve le droit de modifier le titre de l'atelier, la description, les dates d'inscription et les renseignements sur la page Web de l'atelier. L'ACE avisera les personnes inscrites au plus tard le 6 mars 2026 s'il y a un nombre insuffisant d'inscriptions à cette date et se réserve le droit d'annuler un atelier pour cette raison jusqu'au 20 mars 2026. L'ACE se réserve le droit de modifier l'offre, d'interrompre les ateliers, modifier l'horaire d'un atelier, annuler un atelier ou changer la technologie de l'atelier si que les personnes présentatrices ne sont plus en mesure de le présenter ou en raison de conditions météorologiques extrêmes, d'une panne de courant, de fermetures de bâtiments ou d'autres circonstances spéciales qui échappent au contrôle de l'ACE en informant les personnes inscrites dans les plus brefs délais. Si l'atelier est annulé par l'ACE, les personnes inscrites recevront un remboursement complet des frais d'inscription. L'ACE ne sera pas responsable des autres coûts ou dépenses engagées par les personnes inscrites à la suite de tels changements. 

L'Association canadienne des ergothérapeutes (ACE) s'est engagée pour l'accessibilité telle qu’inscrite dans la Loi sur l'accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées de l'Ontario (LAPHO). Nous fournissons une copie électronique des documents environ une semaine à l'avance en plusieurs diapositives, des sous-titres codés générés automatiquement via Zoom (sauf dans les salles de petits groupes), ainsi que l’accès à l'enregistrement pendant les deux semaines suivant l'atelier. Si vous avez besoin de mesures d’accessibilité supplémentaires, veuillez contacter education@caot.ca ou 1-800-434-2268.

Friday, March 20, 2026

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Aging in place is defined as the extent to which older adults are able to age in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Supporting Canada’s growing older adult population to age well, in reasonably good health, and to live independently requires a combination of health and social services (Iciaszczyk et al., 2023). Occupational therapists (OTs) have expertise in assessing and addressing the impact of the context on a person’s occupational participation (ACOTRO et al., 2021), including the fit between persons and the built environment (Ainsworth & de Jonge, 2018), as well as the need for personal care and other assistance. Given that the majority of current housing stock is inaccessible or unsafe for people living with physical and/or cognitive impairments (Choi, 2021; Reid, 2022; Statistics Canada, 2022), OTs are often asked to recommend home modifications, including assistive devices and structural adaptations. This requires an in-depth level of knowledge and training that OTs are unlikely to receive during their entry-level occupational therapy education (Meyer & Proganc, 2022).

This one-day workshop will build the competency of occupational therapists regarding what to assess and how, as well as how to overcome physical access barriers by matching home modification solutions to the needs of aging and older adults, and their care partners. This workshop will begin with an overview of how and where older Canadians typically live, the challenges they face both in terms of overcoming functional limitations and navigating the health care system, and the need for occupational therapy-based aging-in-place services. The presenter will then briefly touch on the collaborative role that occupational therapists (OTs) play relative to others involved in the home health and home modification industries (e.g., supplier-dealers, designers, contractors, builders, funders). Significantly more time and attention will be spent describing areas and methods of assessments, as well as residential design standards and guidelines for improved function, safety, and accessibility. This includes reviewing examples of home modification assessment tools, documentation, and report templates. Case scenarios and images of real-world projects will be used to explore best practices for age-inclusive, health promoting built environments. Small group discussions will be used throughout the workshop to assist participants in applying their knowledge to case scenarios.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Define key terminology, including aging in place, home safety, home modifications, accessibility, and universal or inclusive design.
2. Understand the role of occupational therapists in facilitating aging in place via home modifications.
3. Identify methods and practices used during occupational therapy-based home modification assessments with older adults.
4. Describe home modification solutions to remove physical access barriers for aging and older adults.
5. Describe home modification solutions to promote occupational participation among older adults.
6. Respond to the individual and societal factors that influence the adoption of home modifications for aging in place.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians with a minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience working in the community with (older) adults. Late-career OTs who are planning ahead for their own aging journey are also welcome to attend

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Assistive Technology, Cognition, Dementia, Equipment Assessments, Home Assessment & Modification, Insurance Assessment, Medical-Legal Services, MSK Rehabilitation, MVA Rehabilitation, Older Adults, Role-Emerging, Universal & Inclusive Design, Veterans Affairs or Armed Forces

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more or less than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 3-5 years of experience.

Presenter

Margot McWhirter, MA, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Margot McWhirter is an occupational therapist with a Master's Degree in Gerontology, as well as certifications in Universal Design, Patient Navigation, and the Executive Certificate in Home Modifications (ECHM) from the University of Southern California. She operates her Ontario-based practice, Inclusive Aging, which focuses on family-centred, aging-in-place services. These services include both simple and complex home modifications, equipment and care coordination, and education for clients, family and/or care partners Margot also collaborates with businesses to enable accessible, age-inclusive products, spaces, and services. She is the co-chair of the CAOT's Home Modifications and Inclusive Design Network, a member of an interprofessional Design and Dementia Community of Practice, and a retired member of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)'s B651 Technical Committee on Accessible Design for the Built Environment. Frequently invited as a public speaker and guest lecturer, Margot taught for York University's Faculty of Health - Health Leadership and Learning Network (HLLN) prior to its closure in May 2024. Margot is dedicated to ending one of the last socially acceptable prejudices - ageism - and is committed to empowering others to grow (b)older with purpose.

Registration fees

Registration deadline: March 20, 2026 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)  

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.

Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by March 4, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after March 4, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by March 4, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before February 6, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until February 20, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Provide suggestions for Professional Development

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.  

Please note that workshop is offered in English.

Online Workshop

March 13, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

The mind-body connection and neuroplasticity are highly relevant topics for the Canadian occupational therapy community, especially as occupational therapists (OTs) increasingly address complex conditions such as chronic pain, mental health disorders, neurological injuries, long COVID, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections—plays a crucial role in recovery and rehabilitation, enabling OTs to design interventions that promote recovery and enhance functional outcomes ( Katz & Dwyer, 2021). Given that 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental health challenges each year, and the prevalence of conditions like long COVID and ME/CFS is rising, understanding neuroplasticity is essential for optimizing therapy ( Statistics Canada, 2024). 

The mind-body connection allows OTs to create holistic, individualized approaches that foster resilience and improve the quality of life and facilitate occupational participation for clients. This knowledge equips OTs with powerful tools to support clients in overcoming limitations and achieving meaningful participation in daily life, making this topic integral to the evolving landscape of occupational therapy in Canada. In this workshop, the mind-body connection and neuroplasticity will be explored, focusing on how these concepts can be applied in occupational therapy practice. Topics include how the brain adapts and reorganizes in response to injury, trauma, and conditions like chronic pain, long COVID, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Participants will learn practical strategies to support clients, including movement, mindfulness, and therapeutic exercises to promote neuroplastic changes. The workshop will also address how stress, trauma, and chronic illness impact the nervous system and how OTs can foster resilience through mind-body interventions. A case study will provide an example of how to bring it together in therapy planning. By the end, participants will gain tools to enhance client recovery and improve overall functioning.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Explain the principles of neuroplasticity and their relevance to occupational therapy intervention for conditions such as chronic pain, mental health disorders, long COVID, and ME/CFS.
2. Describe how the mind-body connection influences nervous system function, stress responses, and occupational engagement across diverse clinical presentations.
3. Identify the impacts of trauma, chronic illness, and dysregulation on the nervous system, and recognize signs that may guide assessment and therapy planning.
4. Apply practical, evidence-informed mind-body strategies: such as movement, mindfulness, breathwork, and sensory-based interventions to promote neuroplastic changes and functional outcomes.
5. Integrate a holistic, collaboration-centred framework to design interventions that enhance resilience, emotional regulation, and participation in meaningful occupations. 

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians and educators who wish to learn how integrate and apply principles of neuroplasticity into their practice to support their clients' occupational participation. Students in occupational therapy programs are also welcome to participate.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Children (5-12 years old), Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Acute Care, Autism/Neurodiversity, Brain injury/Concussion/Spinal Cord, Cancer Care, Cardio-Respiratory Care, Case Management, Chronic Disease Management, ,Education & Fieldwork, Forensic Mental Health, Generalist, Global Health, Hand Therapy, Health Promotion & Wellness, Indigenous Health, Mental Health, MSK Rehabilitation, MVA Rehabilitation, Neurology, Older Adults, Primary Care, Psychotherapy, Return to Work, Sensory Integration & Processing, Service/Business Administration, Sexuality & Gender, Substance Use/Addictions, Veterans Affairs or Armed Forces

Workshop level

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 0-2 years of experience.

Presenter

Zara Dureno, Reg. OT (BC)
Zara Dureno is an occupational therapist with experience and training in Mental Health, ME/CFS, long COVID, chronic pain, and concussion recovery. With a compassionate, holistic, and evidence-based approach, she helps clients regulate their nervous systems, build resilience, and reclaim their lives. Informed by her own recovery from chronic conditions and her love of neuroscience, Zara integrates many holistic and evidence-based to support lasting change. As a presenter, she is passionate about sharing practical strategies that empower both clients and clinicians in their journey toward healing and well-being.

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by January 14, 2026

CAOT Members and Associates	CAOT Student/ Provisional Associates & Retired Members	Non-member*
$220	$195	$275

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after January 14, 2026

Registration deadline: March 13 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.   

Registration fee includes:

• Access to the online workshop platform
• Access to the workshop recording for 14 days following the live sessions
• An electronic copy of the presentation slide handouts
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• An electronic certificate of attendance

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to  education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by February 25, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after February 25, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by February 25, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to  education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before January 30, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until February 13, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs

 

Provide suggestions for Professional Development

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.  
 

This workshop will be offered in English.