Preparing the Next Generation of Occupational Therapy Professionals

“This approach will remain a cornerstone of our program,” said Stefanie Seanor, recently appointed as the department chair and program director following two years as a full-time faculty member. “Our dedicated faculty and adjunct instructors actively pursue ongoing professional development in emerging areas, enabling us to thoughtfully integrate relevant advancements into our curriculum. This ensures our students are exceptionally well-prepared to enter and thrive in this rewarding field.”

Karl Minges, dean of the College of Health Professions, is excited for the future of OT education at SHU under Seanor’s leadership, “In my interactions with Stefanie, I have found her to be composed, collaborative, organized and forward-thinking. These skillsets will help her to manage the financial, personnel and general operations of the program, oversee accreditation, optimize program offerings and clinical partnerships and, most importantly, in recruiting the next generation of OTs.”

Before transitioning to academia, Seanor spent over 20 years in private practice, specializing in pediatric and adolescent occupational therapy in school-based and private clinical settings. Her professional background includes leadership, management, advocacy and health policy. An alumna of Sacred Heart University, where she earned her MBA, Seanor brings passion and expertise to her role at SHU.

“I’ve had a fulfilling career as a clinician, working closely with children and families, and I now have the opportunity to translate that experience into meaningful learning for our students,” she said. “I truly love what I do, and I’m proud to be part of the SHU community.”

Seanor recently shared insights about Sacred Heart’s master’s degree in occupational therapy, as well as emerging trends shaping the field.

Mental Health Integration

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages and abilities who are recovering from or challenged by injury, illness, trauma, surgery, chronic conditions or disabilities. OTs create practical solutions, or interventions, that help their clients get back to work or school, daily tasks, recreational activities and time with families and friends.

Increasingly, OTs are also supporting their clients’ emotional and psychological well-being. Whether working with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD or substance use disorders, OTs are applying occupation-based interventions to promote daily functioning and social participation.

With its focus on occupational health and wellness, Seanor said the importance of mental health is threaded throughout the MSOT program, with content spanning from pediatric to geriatric needs. The curriculum draws from varied scientific disciplines to help tomorrow’s OTs address the emotional, social and psychological needs of their clients.

Seanor has observed a growing integration of traditional occupational therapy with mental health and wellness—an approach she refers to as “occupational health and wellness.” Through SHU’s MSOT, students are immersed in coursework designed to develop the clinical competencies necessary to assess mental health needs, formulate effective treatment plans and implement evidence-based interventions.

Aging in Place 

As the global population ages, the demand for occupational therapists to support older adults in maintaining independence is rising sharply. Aging in place—allowing seniors to remain in their homes safely—is a major societal priority, especially as health care systems look to reduce costs associated with institutional care.

Students in the master’s in occupational therapy program gain clinical experience in the field, as well as in the program’s state-of-the art laboratories, including simulation laboratories that replicate hospital and ambulatory care settings, a fully equipped home suite with a room-to-room lift tracking system and a Drive Safety driving simulator. 

Through these experiences, students gain the knowledge to reduce the risk of falls, identify adaptive equipment and implement routines that support cognitive and physical functioning. 

Supporting Pediatrics and Teens 

Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to provide early intervention—particularly within school systems and clinical settings—to support pediatric occupational health and wellness, the development of fine and gross motor skills, executive functioning and social participation.

With over two decades of experience in private practice, Seanor has specialized in pediatric and adolescent occupational therapy, working closely with families and educational institutions. She has also contributed to interprofessional research initiatives focused on pediatric and adolescent mental health. Now board certified in pediatrics, Seanor continues to advance the field by developing specialized pediatric content for SHU’s occupational therapy master’s degree program and promoting student involvement in research aimed at expanding evidence-based pediatric interventions.

“There is a significant gap in the literature,” she noted. “We must continue to engage in research and scholarly work to close that gap and strengthen this essential area of our profession.”

Client-Centered Care

While client-centered care has long been a foundational principle in occupational therapy, the approach is continuing to evolve to meet the complexities of today’s health care landscape. Modern occupational therapists are expected to demonstrate empathy and an informed understanding of social determinants of health, cultural norms and systemic barriers that impact access to care.

SHU’s program embraces this evolution by encouraging students to engage with communities beyond the academic setting. As part of their training, students are required to complete a community needs assessment project. Seanor shared that one of her mentored student groups recently conducted a survey of school-based occupational therapists to examine the assessment tools used when working with children and adolescents facing mental health challenges. The results of their project led to an invitation from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to present a professional course to peers and practicing professionals.

“Our students are now in the process of writing a scholarly paper, and they’ll soon be published authors,” said Seanor. “It was incredibly rewarding to see their work recognized at a national level. I’m committed to creating more of these opportunities for our students to engage in meaningful, real-world scholarship.”

Interprofessional Collaboration 

Occupational therapy is a critical player in prevention and health promotion. OTs often collaborate with professionals in community and public health settings and corporate wellness programs. 

“We remain committed to fostering partnerships with professionals across disciplines to support successful outcomes,” said Seanor. “Throughout every semester of our program, we emphasize the importance of both interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration—whether with fellow occupational therapists in specialized areas or with professionals from other fields. Our goal is to equip students with strong communication skills that will enable them to engage effectively in collaborative practice, take on leadership roles and pursue interdisciplinary research opportunities.”

Preparing Students for a Dynamic Future

Tomorrow’s occupational therapists will continuously need to adapt to shifting local and global trends in health and society. The best occupational therapy master’s programs will be the ones that take an innovative and dynamic approach to the curriculum, fieldwork and professional development and collaborations. 

“Success begins with the ongoing professional development of our expert faculty,” stated Seanor. “Given the continual evolution of our field, staying current is essential to shaping and advancing our academic programs.”

“What distinguishes our program from others is its in-person format, which provides a comprehensive and immersive educational experience. This setting fosters immediate engagement and enables meaningful, real-time feedback—an element often lacking in other programs. As a result, our students develop a deeper understanding of the material and benefit from the opportunity to learn alongside dedicated faculty advisers and mentors.”

Interested in becoming an OT? 

In addition to the Master of Science in occupational therapy, Sacred Heart offers a dual degree program. For more information, schedule an appointment with Lea DiStasio or reach out at distasiol2@sacredheart.edu.

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