Ask The Therapists

Dr. Benjy Epstein, Has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University, A Masters in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College Columbia University. Dr. Benjy has Rabbinic Ordination from RIETS and is the author of Living in the Presence: A Jewish Mindfulness Guide to Everyday Life.

Amy Mooney, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist who knows first-hand about the role of caregiving and about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or "ME," as the mother of a child with this condition. Amy has an undergraduate degree from Loyola University in Chicago and a Master's degree in OT from Rush University Chicago. She is a returned Peace Corp volunteer and has worked as an OT in a variety of pediatric settings, including schools, early intervention/home health and private practice. Amy is the mother of 3 school-aged children including a 14 year-old daughter who has ME. Amy is interested in increasing awareness about ME, especially in the medical community, and hopes to inform fellow OT practitioners about how they can support the care and provide treatment for people with this condition.

Andra P. Henning, MS, OTR/L, MDiv, CBIS (Certified Brain Injury Specialist) CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialists) Director of Inpatient Therapy Services for Adventist Healthcare Rehabilitation, Rockville, Md.

With Guest Shelli Dry, OTD, MEd, OTR/L. Shelli received her Master of Education degree in special education from the University of Louisville. She earned her doctorate in occupational therapy from Eastern Kentucky University. Since 1998, she has dedicated her career to pediatrics and mental health. She has worked in numerous pediatrics practice settings, such as Neonatal Intensive care Unit (NICU), Acute Care pediatrics, Early Intervention, and in various school settings. Since 2005, she has operated her own successful business. She also coordinates evaluation teams for the New Jersey Early Intervention System and provides training to new therapists. Her interests include early childhood development and working with children with autism and Down syndrome. Shelli has earned a distinguished reputation within the mental health community as well as with local government health lawmakers and the media. Considered one of the most knowledgeable experts in her field in the US, she is often consulted for her opinion on public policy changes. She’s made TV and radio appearances as an expert on children’s mental health. She has also researched and published articles on the need for access to proven and affordable therapy services. Her publications concerning how this could be achieved online help make her the perfect fit for Enable My Child (EMC).

Paul Fontana is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist with 43 years of professional experience. Since 1986 when Paul founded the Center for Work Rehabilitation, Inc.®, CWR has been the industry leader in providing Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, Fit for Duty and Return to Work programs to the business community.  Over the past 43 years Mr Fontana has had extensive opportunities to both teach ergonomic concepts as well as perform ergonomic assessments in both an office as well as in the industrial work sites. He taught extensive 2 day seminars on ergonomics to over 500 Occupational and Physical Therapists across the country as well as to Occupational Therapy Students in a multiple of states. In addition he has presented in depth symposiums and seminars on Fit for Duty / Return to Work Programs and Ergonomics across the country including, at the American Occupational Therapy Association's Wounded Warrior Best Practice Symposium in San Antonio, Tx, the National Ergonomics Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, NV and the National Pulp, Paper & Fiber Products Safety & Health Conference in Portland, OR.

Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA is Professor Emerita of the Occupational Therapy Program at Cleveland State University where she taught for 34 years. She was also director of the Graduate Certificate Program in School-Based Practice (1999-2018). Throughout her career, she has specialized in occupational therapy practice with children and youth in home, school and community-based settings. 

In this episode, Chasya talks with Sarah Brecher-Portes, LCSW, CASAC about common misconceptions about addiction, how to recognize a problem and how to get help.

In this episode Rafi discusses how he works tirelessly to assure a smooth transition from state hospitals and institutions back into the community. Rafael E. Salazar II, MHS, OTR/L is the president and CEO of Rehab U Practice Solutions. He has experience in a variety of rehab settings, working with patients recovering from a variety of injuries and surgeries. He worked as the lead clinician in an outpatient specialty clinic at his local VA Medical center. He also has experience as an adjunct faculty instructor at Augusta University’s Occupational Therapy Program, as a Licensed Board Member on the GA State OT Board, has served on several committees for the national OT Board (NBCOT), and as a consultant working for the State of Georgia’s DBHDD. He is also on the Board of Directors for NBCOT. He works to help healthcare clinics and organizations deliver uniquely impactful patient experiences by improving service delivery through training & advisement.

Pregnancy loss affects 1 in 4 women but is often not something that is spoken about. On this week’s episode Chasya talks to Yonina Kaufman, Clinical Coordinator at A TIME HUG, about pregnancy loss and grief, how to find support, and how to support a loved one through this loss. 

In this episode we speak with Katie Garvey, OTR/L, CAPS, a Dementia Care Specialist from Anne Arbor, Michigan. Katie consults and trains employees and other professionals using the Positive Approach to Care( Developed by Teepa Snow, OT) to assist the “neighbors” in the Assisted Living Communities improve their quality of…