Sensory Integration and Mental Health: 
Interoception and Trauma

A Conversation with Kelly Mahler, OTD, OTR/L

  • Moderated by Erin Flynn, MS, OTR/L 
  • Level: Introductory
  • Contact Hours: 1.0 contact hours or 0.1 AOTA CEUs
  • AOTA Areas: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery: Evaluation, Intervention and Outcomes.
  • Audience: OT, OTA, PT, PTA, SLP, Psychologist, Educator, Parent
  • Completion Requirements: To earn contact hours or AOTA CEUs for this course participants must view this course in its entirety, and successfully complete the quiz accompanying each lesson.
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Course overview

Interoception is an underlooked and often poorly understood system of neurological functioning that provides the foundation for self-regulation. When impacted by trauma, interoception underlies many common experiences including chronic dysregulation, self-harm, addictions, anxiety/depression, panic attacks, eating disorders, obesity, chronic pain and somatic symptoms. This talk will discuss the connection between interoception and self-regulation and examine the impact trauma can have on interoceptive functioning and behaviors. Evidence-based interoceptive supports will be discussed.

References are provided.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course participants will be able to:
Describe how interoception relates to self-regulation.
Understand the impact that trauma has on the interoceptive system.
Identify how to incorporate interoception-based supports into an Occupational Therapy intervention.
Kelly Mahler OTD, OTR/L

Guest Speaker

Dr. Mahler earned a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. She has been an occupational therapist for 20 years, serving school-aged children and adults. Kelly is winner of multiple awards, including the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association Emerging and Innovative Practice Award & a Mom’s Choice Gold Medal. She is an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA as well as at Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. Kelly is a co-principal investigator in several research projects pertaining to topics such as interoception, self-regulation, trauma & autism. Kelly is an international speaker and presents frequently on topics related to the ten resources she has authored. https://www.kelly-mahler.com/

Erin Flynn, MS, OTR/L
Moderator

Erin is a certified and licensed occupational therapist and registered with NBCOT with a specialty in pediatrics. She received her MS in occupational therapy from Sacred Heart University and a BA in psychology from College of the Holy Cross. She has worked with children in a variety of settings including public/private schools and Boys & Girls Clubs and has run community-based parent/child sensory motor groups. She is certified in the Program of Essential Competencies in Sensory Integration. She is also trained in the SOS oral motor program, iLs: Integrated Listening Systems home programming, and trauma informed care. She completed the Infant Parent Mental Health Fellowship program at UMass Boston in 2019. She is on the IRB board of SPIRAL Foundation and is a former SPIRAL Foundation Education Coordinator. Being a parent herself, Erin is passionate about working with children and their parents to build positive relationships and understanding.


Disclosure: Erin was compensated for these talks as part of her regular SPIRAL duties. Guest speakers generously donate their time, however, they may benefit if learners choose to enroll in additional courses or programs with them.
ADA/Section 504: If you require special accommodations, please contact courses@thespiralfoundation.org

Cancellation Policies: Available here

Continuing Education: Occupational Therapy Practitioners/ Occupational Therapy Assistants: SPIRAL Foundation is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by the American Occupational Therapy Association. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA

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