NHOTA upcoming events

Starting OT service in a MH program (19 Aug 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

List Goals/ Objectives of Session (3)

1). Identify opportunities for occupational therapy within mental and behavioral health settings.
2). Develop and communicate a compelling proposal for a new occupational therapy role.
3). Describe key steps for building an occupational therapy role from the ground up.
4). Identify strategies for demonstrating value and supporting long-term growth of occupational therapy services.

Zack Schafer, MS, OTR/L, is the Executive Director of Mountain Valley Treatment Center in New Hampshire, a residential program specializing in anxiety, OCD, and related disorders in adolescents and young adults. In his day-to-day work, Zack and his team help anxious youth and their families face their fears, embrace challenges, and build confidence so they can engage more fully in meaningful daily life. Zack earned his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Sacred Heart University and completed an Occupational Therapy Mental Health Fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he began his career working in inpatient psychiatry. In 2021, Zack joined Mountain Valley as the organization’s first occupational therapist—a position he pitched to the program and helped create. Over the following years, he helped establish occupational therapy as a core part of Mountain Valley’s model of care and served in several leadership roles before becoming Executive Director in 2024. In addition to his direct work with youth and families, Zack is passionate about expanding the role of occupational therapy in mental and behavioral health through advocacy, education, training, and the creation of meaningful employment opportunities for occupational therapists.

1 CEU available after completion of an evaluation.

Fall 2026 Conference Sponsorship Registration (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Hamilton Smith Hall at the University of New Hampshire

95 Main St, Durham, NH 03824

Save the Date- NHOTA Fall Conference 2026 (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Save the Date!

Occupational Therapy and Artificial Intelligence: Ethical Considerations in Practice (14 Jan 2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 23:30:00 GMT

The Future of Occupational Therapy is Here—Are You Ready?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing healthcare, and occupational therapy is no exception. Join the New England Occupational Therapy Collaborative for an engaging webinar exploring the ethical opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into OT practice. Free for CONNOTA, MEOTA, MAOT, NHOTA, RIOTA, and VOTA members!

Occupational Therapy & Artificial Intelligence
Ethical Considerations in Practice

Presenter: Pooja A. Patel, DrOT, OTR/L, BCG
Founder & Educator, The OT Algorithm

Whether you're new to AI or already incorporating it into your workflow, this session will provide valuable insights to help you navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a leader in AI and occupational therapy!