Rewiring the mind-body connection: Harnessing neuroplasticity and nervous system regulation in occupational therapy (September 11, 2026)

Online Workshop

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

What time is this for me?

Occupational therapists increasingly address complex conditions – such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, brain injuries, stroke, long COVID, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) – that involve the nervous system (e.g., Akram et al., 2025; Bustamante et al., 2024; Crofford, 2015; Singla et al., 2020; The ME Association, 2020). Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections ( Gazerani, 2025) —plays a crucial role in nervous system regulation and rehabilitation, enabling OTs to design interventions that enhance functional outcomes and support quality of life ( Katz & Dwyer, 2021). Repeated experiences of safety, regulation, adaptive thinking, and participation in valued occupations within one’s energy and pacing limits facilitates neuroplasticity. Nervous system regulation through the mind-body connection allows occupational therapists to co-create individualized approaches that foster resilience, reduce fear-based avoidance, improve quality of life, and promote the occupational participation of clients while respecting their energy and pacing limits.

This one-day workshop will explore neuroplasticity and mind-body interventions to facilitate participation in valued occupations, focusing on how these concepts can be applied flexibly in consideration of nervous system readiness and energy envelope principles. Topics include how the brain adapts and reorganizes in response to injury, trauma, stress, and chronic illnesses like chronic pain, long COVID, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Participants will learn practical strategies to support clients through brain retraining and somatic practices to promote neuroplastic changes. 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, lessen symptoms, 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 interventions for neurological conditions and mental illness.
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. Integrate energy conservation and pacing strategies to support clients in developing repeated safe experiences to support neuroplasticity, desensitization, and habituation.
5. Apply practical, evidence-informed cognitive strategies, such as cognitive restructuring and reframing, visualization, and challenging common cognitive beliefs, to change threat perception and symptom interpretation.
6. Apply practical, evidence-informed somatic strategies, such as interoception and body awareness, somatic tracking, grounding, and pendulation, to bridge body and brain and build new, safe neural pathways.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians and educators working with people living with mental health disorders, neurological disorders, and chronic conditions with nervous system implication 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: 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

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

Areas of practice

Brain and spinal cord injuries, Chronic conditions, Hand therapy, Mental health, Neurology

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 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 

This workshop will be offered in English.