Personne présentatrice : Audrey Clavet, erg.

La période périnatale est marquée par de nombreux changements, notamment au plan occupationnel (Esdaile et Olson, 2004; Slootjes, 2021). Les transitions occupationnelles associées à l’arrivée d’un enfant se manifestent notamment par l’ajout de nombreuses co-occupations au répertoire occupationnel des parents, telles que l’allaitement et le sommeil (Clavet, 2025; Olson, 2004; Pierce, 2009). Dans un contexte où plus du tiers des parents rapportent des symptômes dépressifs ou anxieux affectant leur fonctionnement au quotidien (Réseau des centres de ressources périnatales du Québec, 2026), les co-occupations constituent un levier clinique pertinent pour soutenir la santé parentale.

Ce webinaire vous outillera à utiliser le concept de co-occupation comme levier clinique pour analyser les situations vécues en période périnatale et soutenir la participation occupationnelle des parents. Ce webinaire propose une introduction au concept de co-occupation et à son utilité clinique en ergothérapie, au sein de la dyade parent-enfant. À partir d’exemples cliniques, notamment en lien avec les co-occupations d’allaitement et de sommeil, le webinaire illustrera les interactions entre les occupations du parent et celles du bébé. Enfin, des pistes d’application clinique seront proposées afin de soutenir l’intégration de ce concept dans l’analyse des situations rencontrées en pratique ergothérapique. Vous apprendrez à :

• Définir le concept de co-occupation et ses particularités en contexte périnatal.
• Analyser des situations cliniques à partir d’une perspective de co-occupation.
• Identifier des pistes d’application clinique des co-occupations en ergothérapie.

Domaines de pratique La promotion de la santé et le mieux-être Les transitions de vie La santé parentale La pédiatrie

Groupes d'âges de clientèle Jeunes enfants (0 à 4 ans), Personnes adolescentes (13 à 19 ans), Adultes (20 à 64 ans)

Niveau  Débutant (de 0 à 2 ans d’expérience dans ce domaine de pratique) Langage Français

Personne présentatrice

Audrey Clavet, erg.

Ergothérapeute depuis 17 ans, Audrey Clavet exerce en santé mentale périnatale et parentale. Ses intérêts cliniques et de recherche portent sur la matrescence, les transitions occupationnelles et les co-occupations de la dyade parent-enfant. Elle détient une maîtrise de recherche en sciences de la santé portant sur les transitions occupationnelles des nouveaux parents qui allaitent. Sa pratique s’appuie sur des approches sensibles aux traumas et à la neurodiversité, et s’inscrit dans une perspective de justice occupationnelle. Elle est également mentore au programme d’ergothérapie de l’Université de Sherbrooke

Presented by: Elizabeth Bell, OT Reg. (Ont.) and Nicole Raftis, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Understanding why regulation varies across children, situations, and developmental stages can help occupational therapy professionals support participation in home routines and family life. Regulation is often addressed in fragmented ways, with sensory-motor, emotional, and cognitive factors considered separately. Building on occupation-based and developmental approaches to pediatric practice (CAOT, 2024; Cahill & Beisbier, 2020), occupational therapy professionals can utilize a clinically developed framework for understanding regulation through a holistic, developmentally attuned lens.

This webinar provides you with practical knowledge and strategies to support regulation in children and youth through a holistic, developmentally informed, and occupation-based approach. Regulation will be explored as an interaction among sensory-motor, emotional, and cognitive processes that shape participation in daily activities, learning, and social engagement. The webinar will introduce selected examples from a co-developed clinical reasoning and caregiver coaching framework: the Construction Crew and the Speeeed-O-Meter. Practice examples will illustrate how you can translate developmental and neuroscience concepts into shared understanding with children and caregivers, with a focus on co-regulation, caregiver coaching, and application within everyday home and family routines. 

  You'll learn to:

• Identify key sensory-motor, emotional, and cognitive factors that influence regulation in children and youth and describe how these factors interact within everyday home routines and family contexts.
• Describe how a holistic, developmentally attuned, and relationship-focused approach can support co-regulation, children’s self-understanding, caregiver coaching, and participation in home and family occupations.
• Apply an integrated clinical reasoning approach to case-based examples by considering why regulation challenges may be occurring, what regulation states are present in the moment, and how therapists can guide caregiver coaching and intervention planning.

Client age group

Young children (0-4 years), Children (5-12 years), Adolescents (13-19 years), Adults (20-64 years)

Areas of practice

Mental health, Neurodiversity, Parental health, Pediatrics, OTA

Level

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

Language

English 

Presenter

Nicole Raftis, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Nicole is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience in pediatric practice. She works closely with children, youth, and families, with a focus on developmental skills and mental health. She provides multifaceted services through her private practice, in school and community settings, including through Insight Psychology, and directs the Equine-Assisted OT program at Pathway Ponies. Caregiver coaching is central to her practice, which led her to co-found the TREEO OT Resource Library. Nicole is currently piloting a holistic regulation curriculum in school and clinic settings. She is also an Adjunct Clinical Professor at McMaster University, where she supports occupational therapy student practicum education and mentors early-career clinicians.

Elizabeth Bell, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Elizabeth is an occupational therapist with 35 years of experience in pediatric practice. She works closely with children, youth, caregivers, educators, and community partners, with a focus on sensory, motor, and regulation-related practice. She holds an MHSc in Bioethics and is currently a PhD student at McGill University in health sciences education, where her studies focus on ethics and knowledge practices. She has worked across private, interdisciplinary, and community settings, providing clinical services, consultation, and education. Elizabeth is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at McMaster University and is involved in occupational therapy teaching, mentorship, and practicum education. She is also a published author and a co-founder of TREEO OT.

Online Workshop

March 4, 2027, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Presented by: Cassondra (Cassi) Starc, Reg. OT (BC)

Multiple forms of graded exposure are evidence-based interventions to support people living with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (e.g., Ashar et al., 2022, 2025; Kaczkurkin & Foa, 2015; NICE, 2014; Schnurr et al., 2024). Occupational therapists are well suited to offer this first-line intervention approach, and are most often involved in the in vivo component of exposure therapy (Torchalla et al., 2019). For Canadian occupational therapists, skillful application of graded exposure offers a powerful means of promoting occupational participation.

This workshop equips you with the knowledge and skills to identify and address common challenges encountered when using graded in vivo exposure in occupational therapy practice. You will begin by establishing a shared understanding of foundational principles and briefly reviewing the evidence for exposure across diagnosis groups. Case examples spanning occupational challenges such as driving, socializing, running errands, and return-to-work planning will be explored. Through facilitated discussion, therapist self-assessment, and applied case analysis, you will identify common “stuck points” in their exposure therapy. Practical, evidence-informed solutions will be emphasized to support the adaptation, troubleshooting, and progression of graded exposure interventions in a manner that promotes occupational participation, safety, and meaningful outcomes. Integration of exposure with the wider scope of occupational therapy, such as return-to-work planning and funding justification will also be explored. You will leave with a variety of clinician and client resources.

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

• Identify common client and therapist-related challenges that interfere with the effective use of graded in vivo exposure in occupational therapy practice.
• Analyze factors such as safety behaviours, avoidance patterns, and therapist or client beliefs that contribute to stalled or ineffective graded exposure interventions.
• Apply practical strategies to adapt, troubleshoot, and progress graded exposure plans to promote occupational participation, safety, and functional outcomes.

Registration fees

Registration deadline: March 4, 2027 at 11:59 a.m. (Eastern Time) 
Please note that workshop registrations are for one individual person and may not be shared. CAOT does not offer group registration fees for workshops.

Target audience and language

Target audience
Occupational therapist clinicians wishing to build on previous skills and experience in graded in vivo exposure therapy and to address common stuck points.

Please note: The workshop is tailored to the occupational therapy community. 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
Chronic conditions, Mental health, Psychotherapy, Return to work, Trauma

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

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 previous knowledge and experience in this area of practice.

Language
English

Preliminary workshop agenda

March 4, 2027, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Presenter(s)

Cassondra (Cassi) Starc, Reg. OT (BC)

Cassi Starc is an occupational therapist, a mindfulness facilitator, and owner of Flourish Healthcare Education & Mindfulness. Cassi has a passion for providing highly practical education and mentorship. She has mentored many occupational therapy students, new graduates, and experienced clinicians transitioning to new areas of practice such as mental health, brain injury, and chronic pain. You can expect to leave her workshops ready to implement changes in your practice the very next day. Cassi's workshops have a focus on real-world application and complex examples which more closely represents "real-life clients" who may have a variety of intersecting barriers & limitations impacting their occupational engagement and participation.

Workshops are recorded! Your registration includes:

• Individual participation in a live workshop and opportunity to ask questions
• Handout of PowerPoint presentation
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• Access to the workshop recording for 1 month following the live sessions
• Certificate of completion

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by February 17, 2027 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. Substitutions and transfers requests received by February 17, 2027 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

No refunds will be given after February 17, 2027.

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 22, 2027 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient registration up until February 5, 2027. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt workshops, change the timing of a workshop, change the technology for the workshop, or postpone or cancel a 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.

Accessibility

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (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 for all registrations (with possibility to extend to a maximum of one month). If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.

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Presented by: Dr. Marika Demers 

Technology-enabled approaches to stroke rehabilitation support client-centred care by personalizing upper-limb interventions, monitoring recovery, and enhancing participation in meaningful daily activities after stroke (e.g., Demers et al., 2023; Virani, 2025). This webinar will focus on recent advances in stroke rehabilitation research, such as wearable technology, virtual reality, robotics and art-based approaches, and how they can be incorporated in occupational therapy practice. Low-cost strategies to enhance stroke recovery will also be discussed.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Describe how evidence-based technologies can be used to deliver and support upper-limb interventions following stroke.
2. Explain how principles of neuroplasticity inform the design and use of technology-based interventions in post-stroke upper-limb rehabilitation. 

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

Area of practice Assistive Technology & Artificial Intelligence, Neurology 

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

Presented by: Jody Niemann Priest, MS, OTR/L

Vision deficits are common but often overlooked contributors to disability following neurological injury and disease. Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to identify visual impairments, provide patient and caregiver education, and implement evidence-based interventions that enhance safety, participation, and quality of life. This webinar will present a practical approach to assessing and treating vision deficits in individuals with stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Through clinical examples and case studies, participants will explore neuro-visual assessments, occupation-based interventions, and strategies to improve functional outcomes across everyday activities. This webinar will explore the importance of occupational therapy practitioners screening and assessing vision deficits in individuals with neurological conditions. Topics include oculomotor impairments such as saccadic dysfunction, common visual symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), evidence-based patient-reported outcome measures and clinical assessment tools, referral considerations, patient and caregiver education, and practical occupation-based intervention strategies. Participants will gain clinically relevant resources, assessment references, and evidence-based takeaways that can be immediately implemented to improve functional outcomes, safety, and participation in everyday activities. 

  You'll learn to:

• Recognize common visual and visual-perceptual impairments encountered in individuals with complex neurological diagnoses and their impact on occupational performance.

• Select and apply appropriate assessment tools and clinical observation strategies to evaluate vision deficits affecting daily function.

• Develop evidence-based intervention plans that address neuro-visual impairments through occupation-based treatment, compensatory strategies, and environmental modifications.

Client age groups 

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

Areas of practice 

Brain and spinal cord injuries Health promotion & wellness Neurology Older adults Vision

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

Language
English

Presenter

Jody Niemann Priest, MS, OTR/L Jody is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation across inpatient and outpatient settings. Jody serves as Chair of the Degenerative Disease Special Interest Group (DDSIG), a member of the Florida Occupational Therapy Association Continuing Education Sanctioning Committee, and AOTA Rehabilitation & Disability SIS Communities of Practice Liaison. Currently, Jody practices at AdventHealth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation in New Smyrna Beach and serves as Lead Divisional Neurological OT, supporting interdisciplinary program development, Neuro OT staff growth, and clinical education. Jody also volunteers as a medical buddy for Night to Shine, serving individuals with special needs.

Online Workshop

January 21, 2027, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Presented by: Michelle Scott, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Exposure therapy can be an effective therapeutic tool for helping clients overcome fears and challenges (American Psychological Association, 2017). Systematic desensitization therapy is a systematic approach to exposure therapy that can help clients reach specific occupational goals. Effective approaches to systematic desensitization therapy involves a strong therapeutic alliance, a sense of trust, and the ability of the therapist to help inspire motivation and values-based action in their clients (e.g., Buchholz & Abramowitz, 2020). It also includes the ability to deliver basic psychoeducation around the avoidance-anxiety cycle, the ability to help clients use basic CBT strategies throughout their journey, knowledge of nervous system downregulation and relaxation strategies, and an ability to grade and fade challenges flexibly - all in the service of behavioural and task-specific goals. As such, occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to utilize systematic desensitization therapy to facilitate occupational participation.
This workshop will provide you with the skills and knowledge to effectively implement systematic approaches to exposure therapy with clients with trauma and chronic pain. Psychoeducation around the avoidance-anxiety cycle, central nervous sensitization, and how they manifest in PTSD and chronic pain will be discussed. Therapeutic tools, such as motivational interviewing and basic cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches will be reviewed to promote engagement and participation. You will learn about basic nervous system downregulation strategies for managing anxiety, safety behaviours, grading challenges, and fading support. Experiential activities, group discussions, and case application will support you in learning how to co-create a systematic desensitization protocol with clients living with pain or PTSD. 

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

• Explain the avoidance/anxiety cycle, central nervous system sensitization, and how they manifest in PTSD and chronic pain.
• Describe the occupational therapy role and scope in implementing systematic approaches to exposure therapy. 
• Integrate therapeutic tools such as basic motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), somatic experiencing, and nervous system downregulation strategies into therapy plans to support clients living with chronic pain and trauma.
• Integrate elements of fading and grading when creating a challenge hierarchy.
• Co-create a systematic desensitization protocol with clients with PTSD and chronic pain.

Registration fees

Target audience and language

Target audience
Occupational therapist clinicians, occupational therapist educators, and occupational therapist assistants who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in using exposure therapy with clients with trauma and/or chronic pain who are experiencing avoidance-related anxiety that is creating a barrier to occupational participation. Participants are expected to have a foundations knowledge of exposure therapy and systematic desensitization therapy.

Areas of practice 
Chronic Conditions, Mental Health, Military Members and Veterans, Psychotherapy, Trauma

Client age groups

Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old)

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

Language
English

Preliminary workshop agenda

January 21, 2027 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (ET)	What is exposure therapy? Comparing exposure and response prevention (ERP), prolonged exposure (PE), and systematic desensitization therapy (SD) Central sensitization and PTSD and chronic pain Individual activity: Why are OTs uniquely positioned to offer these therapies?
11:30 - 11:45 a.m. (ET)	Break
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. (ET)	Comparing in vivo, imaginal, and virtual reality (VR) exposure Therapeutic tools: Basic motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, and somatic experiencing skills Basic nervous system downregulation strategies for managing anxiety Individual activity: Guided downregulation exercise
1:15 - 1:45 p.m. (ET)	Break
1:45 - 3:15 p.m. (ET)	How to use elements of fading and grading Group activity: Creating a challenge hierarchy Co-creating a therapy plan Group activity: Creating a systematic exposure therapy plan for a given client scenario (trauma and chronic pain)
3:15 - 3:30 p.m. (ET)	Break
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. (ET)	Group activity and presentations Teletherapy Conclusion and Q&A

  

Presenter

Michelle Scott, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Michelle Scott (she/her, aka Shel) is an occupational therapist with more than a decade of experience in mental health. She worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) before starting her private practice in 2019, where she strives to bring an anti-oppressive lens to her work with clients with eating disorders, trauma, chronic pain, OCD, and other challenges. She started her career in mental health working as a peer support worker and brings this lens to her work in her private practice. She has been a recipient of systematic desensitization (SD) therapy herself and brings this lens to her work with clients using this approach, as well as in her teaching. Her lens combines therapeutic and clinical skills and experience with lived mental health experience to provide a unique education experience.

Workshops are recorded! Your registration includes

• Individual participation in a live workshop and opportunity to ask questions
• Handout of PowerPoint presentation
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• Access to the workshop recording for 1 month following the live sessions
• Certificate of completion

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by December 18, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. Substitutions and transfers requests received by December 18, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.
No refunds will be given after December 18, 2026. 

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 5, 2027, if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient registration up until January 13, 2027. 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 handout 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
 
Thursday, November 26, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Occupational therapists have a recognized importance in mental health care delivery given their unique strengths for task analysis and assessing function, but can be quite varied in how assessments and interventions are carried out. Four factors that promote positive mental health outcomes and decrease readmission to hospital include psychoeducation to improve well-being (Tyler et al., 2019), medication adherence, decreasing suicide, and ensuring transition of support to community (Tyler et al., 2019 ; Owusu et al., 2022). Having agreed upon core outcomes for mental health maintenance and wellness, as well as a clear description of occupational challenges that the therapy aims to address, will provide structure and transparency to service, and lead to greater understanding of effective therapy (Tyler et al., 2019).

This one-day practical skills workshop will focus on providing a structure for occupational therapy assessment and interventions and clarifying outcomes for mental health maintenance and wellness. The workshop will provide an overview of the following entry points for occupational therapists to assess needs: activation, assess/facilitate function, coping strategy training, and health maintenance. At each of these entry points, case studies will illustrate the content and process to deliver interventions. The benefits of task sessions, functional assessments, and standardized assessments will be overviewed to provide a cognitive functional profile for the client and team. Coping strategies will be organized in four coping categories, with a summary of what each category brings to managing the stress response, participating in valued occupations, and promoting function. Kolb's Adult Learning Model (Kolb, 2014) will be described and illustrated as a tool to teach coping strategy content. Four coping modules will be reviewed specifically to target outcomes for successful transition to the community from acute care OR to maintain wellness in the community. These modules will address healthy and meaningful routines, medication adherence, suicide safety, and communication tools to connect with personal and professional supports.

Small group discussions and practice opportunities in breakout rooms will be utilized to support occupational therapists in gaining efficiencies in clinical reasoning, decision making, and delivering interventions in mental health. By the end of this workshop, occupational therapists will have the tools and language to advocate and illustrate their role with clients experiencing mental health challenges.

Please note: The content and case studies are drawn from occupational therapy practice in acute mental health. There will be discussion of generalization in other settings.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

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

1. Structure mental health interventions based on four levels of needs (activation, assess/facilitate function, coping strategy training, health maintenance).
2. Identify six techniques to activate and empower clients.
3. Name one formal and one informal assessment to aid in determining functional cognitive profiles related to various occupations.
4. Define benefits for four coping categories and name corresponding coping strategies.
5. Demonstrate Kolb's Adult Learning Model (Kolb, 2014) .
6. Justify four coping modules for health maintenance.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians and educators who are seeking a structured approach for assessment and interventions to ensure greater transparency of service, inform clinical reasoning, and promote efficiencies in mental health service delivery.

Please note: The workshop is tailored to the occupational therapy community. 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 (16-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Acute Care, Advocacy, Education & Fieldwork, Mental Health, Psychotherapy

Workshop level

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

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 in this specific area of practice.

Presenter

Theresa Straathof, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Theresa Straathof has worked 32 years as a clinical occupational therapist in acute mental health. She completed her Diploma in Adult Education through St. Francis Xavier University, where she received the Lynn Irlam "Make a Difference Award" for her development of coping strategies modules. She has written two manuals to facilitate teaching a variety of coping strategy content using Kolb's Adult Learning Cycle (Kolb, 2014). She has presented nationally, internationally and is a guest lecturer with three Canadian universities on topics related to behaviour activation, coping strategy training, adult learning, and suicide prevention. She is a member of the CAOT network: Addressing Suicide in Occupational Therapy Practice.

Registration fees

Registration deadline: November 26, 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 November 11, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after November 11, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by November 11, 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 October 16, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until October 30, 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 handout 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 facilitated in English.

Presented by: Kelly Sward

Occupational therapists have a role in supporting mental health in the workplace with evidence-informed, systems-level approaches, such as assisting employers with the development of processes and procedures, recommending universal design principles, and implementing work disability prevention strategies (CAOT, 2025).  This webinar will present an evidence-informed occupational therapy model for workplace mental health developed through sequential research, pilot implementation, and economic evaluation. Topics include early needs-identification research conducted through occupational therapy student thesis projects, a supported employment occupational therapy bridging pilot, and the use of Social Return on Investment analysis (Marques et al., 2025) to strengthen sustainability and funding pathways. The final section focuses on applied employer consultation, highlighting how occupational therapists can translate evidence into practical, scalable strategies within real-world workplace settings.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Describe how occupational therapy research and pilot projects can be leveraged to develop and refine workplace mental health service models.
2. Identify key evidence-informed occupational therapy strategies to support employers in building mental health-inclusive workplaces.
3. Apply systems-level and occupation-based reasoning to consider how similar workplace mental health models could be adapted or scaled within their own practice contexts.

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

Area of practice Equity & Justice, Mental Health, Return to Work, Workplace Health & Safety  

Client age group Adults (20-64 years old)

Online Workshop

November 13-19, 2026 (on your own)
November 20 and 27, 2026 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. (ET)

What time is this for me?

Optimal seating for older adults is critical to prevent injury and enhance function. A MAT assessment allows therapists to understand the older adult’s postural tendencies and to build a manual wheelchair prescription that will correct and prevent asymmetrical tendencies, improve comfort and, when possible, enhance the mobility of the client. By understanding the physics of seating and mobility, occupational therapists can prescribe appropriate seating and mobility systems for older adults that facilitate autonomy, safety, restraint reduction, independence, and participation in meaningful occupations.  …not despite, but because of their age!

This online workshop will explore how optimal seated posture impacts pain and the overall capacity of older adults to participate more fully and more comfortably in meaningful occupations.  A prerecorded lecture of a MAT assessment will provide participants an overview of how to complete a MAT assessment and how to recognize asymmetrical postural tendencies. During the synchronous workshop, the presenter will build on this lecture to help participants understand postural tendencies, three-point positioning, and postural/product simulation.  The presenter will review how posterior pelvic and posterior lateral rib cage support assist with thoracic extension for improved posture, breathing, and eating. Participants will be guided through body mechanics and pain/pressure points to understand how seating can make a difference in comfort, pain reduction, and head position to enhance swallowing.  Pain references, body shape, muscle tone, asymmetries, and skin integrity will be addressed. Participants will understand and ultimately be able to suggest appropriate propulsion styles (two-hand, two-feet, one-hand/one-foot) in their own clinic settings.  The impact of wheelchair set up on sliding and restraint use will also be reviewed. Participants will have a chance to utilize the information shared to address client case studies throughout the workshop. By the end of this workshop, participants will be more confident in wheelchair assessment and prescription for older adults. 

Preliminary workshop agenda

Pre-recorded lecture: November 13-19, 2026 (on your own)

Day 1: November 20, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Day 2: November 27, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Learning objectives

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

1. Do a MAT assessment in your own clinical setting.
2. Understand how postural tendencies in older adults affect breathing, swallowing, head position, and bowel evacuation.
3. Conceptualize how to enhance comfort sitting.
4. Demonstrate three-point positioning and forces related to seated posture.
5. Understand the use of secondary supports and tilt.
6. Understand the physics of hand propulsion and methods of foot propulsion in older adults.
7. Review restraint policies and how seating is affected by these policies in order to gain restraint-free positioning.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians, occupational therapist assistants (OTAs), students in occupational therapy programs, and physiotherapists who wish to develop their skills in optimal seating and mobility to facilitate the occupational participation of older adults who use or who would benefit from using a wheelchair.

Please note: Participants who previously attended the workshop “Seated posture, pain reduction, and mobility for older adults: Stop the migration!” will find that the content has been updated with additional case studies to allow participants to apply the information learned to case studies. The video of the MAT assessment was completed on pediatric premise due to ease of recording, but all principles still apply to all ages and body sizes. This workshop is tailored to the occupational therapy community. 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

Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Assistive Technology & Artificial Intelligence, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, MSK/Ortho/Cardio-Resp, Neurology, Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Older Adults

Workshop leve

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

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 in this area of practice.

Presenter

Sheila Buck, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Sheila is an occupational therapist and the owner of a seating and mobility consulting company, Therapy NOW, in Ontario, Canada. Sheila has spoken extensively in North America, Ireland, Norway and New Zealand on seating and mobility concepts for the very young to the very old. Her audiences have included, but are not limited to, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, doctors, case managers, DME (Durable Medical Equipment) vendors and manufacturers of seating and mobility products.  Her extensive knowledge related to the provision of assistive technology for mobility is reflected in her book More than 4 wheels:  Applying clinical practice to seating, mobility and assistive technology, 3rd edition. This excellent clinical guide is currently being used as a learning tool around the world with over 1200 copies sold. Sheila is also a contributing author in the recently published Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide. Sheila is known for her dynamic sessions which are enhanced by demonstrations of practical suggestions, as well as her compassion for clients and advancing her learning and skills to those with whom she works. 

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by September 16, 2026

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after September 16, 2026

Registration deadline: November 20, 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:

• 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 October 28, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. All cancellation/refund requests between November 6 and November 12, 2025 will be given a 50% refund. No refunds will be given after October 28, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by October 28, 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 October 2, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until October 16, 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 Therapy (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.  

Personnes présentatrices : Marika Demers 

Les approches technologiques en la réadaptation de l'AVC peuvent favoriser la personnalisation des interventions ciblant les membres supérieurs, ainsi que la participation à des activités signifiantes après un AVC. Ce webinaire vise à explorer différentes solutions technologiques qui peuvent être utilisées pour la réadaptation du membre supérieur post-AVC.. Ce webinaire portera sur les avancées récentes en recherche sur la réadaptation post-AVC, telles que les technologies portables, la réalité virtuelle, la robotique et les approches basées sur l’art, ainsi que sur leur intégration possible dans la pratique en ergothérapie. Des stratégies à faible coût pour favoriser la récupération après un AVC seront également abordées

Suite à ce webinaire, les personnes participantes pourront : 

1. Décrire comment les technologies fondées sur des données probantes peuvent être utilisées pour offrir et soutenir des interventions pour le membre supérieur après un AVC.
2. Expliquer comment les principes de neuroplasticité guident les décisions cliniques le développement des technologies en réadaptation post-AVC.
3. Identifier des solutions technologiques pouvant être intégrées à la pratique clinique en ergothérapie.

Niveau Intermédiaire (de 3 à 5 ans d’expérience dans ce domaine de pratique)

Pertinence aux domaines de pratique La technologie d'assistance et l'intelligence artificielle, La neurologie 

Pertinence pour les groupes d'âges de clientèle Adultes (20 à 64 ans), Adultes âgés (65 ans et plus)