BOLD CONVERSATIONS
Wellness Management for OT Practitioners:
Applying Core Self-Management Principles Through an OT Lens
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
4:30-6:00 p.m., PT | 5:30-7:00 p.m., MT
6:30-8:00 p.m., CT | 7:30-9:00 p.m., ET
Description
Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to support the health and well-being of others—but sustaining this work requires intentional attention to our own wellness. Increasing demands, role complexity, and exposure to stress can impact practitioner well-being, performance, and long-term professional sustainability.
This session introduces a practical, occupational therapy–informed approach to wellness management for practitioners. Participants will explore common characteristics of self-management approaches and examine how these align with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF-4), including concepts related to occupations, performance patterns, client factors, and contexts.
Through guided reflection and structured activities, participants will identify personal patterns of wellness, recognize early signs of stress and strain, and develop individualized strategies to support daily routines, manage stressors, and maintain wellbeing and effectiveness in practice. Emphasis is placed on integrating wellness into everyday occupations and creating sustainable habits that support both personal and professional roles.
Participants will leave with resources to create a personalized wellness management plan that can be immediately applied to support resilience, reduce burnout risk, and promote long-term engagement in meaningful occupational therapy practice.
Learning Objectives
- Describe common characteristics of wellness management approaches and their relevance to occupational therapy practice.
- Analyze personal patterns of wellness, stress, strain, and occupational performance using an occupational therapy framework.
- Develop an individualized wellness management plan to support personal well-being and sustainable professional practice.
Speaker Bio
David Merlo, MS, COTA/L, CPRP, ROH
David Merlo has dedicated more than 40 years to advancing occupational therapy through practice, education, leadership, and international service. He began his career in community mental health, where he discovered the transformative power of meaningful activity, authentic collaborative relationships, and recovery-oriented care.
David has served nationally on the AOTA Board of Directors and as the OTA Representative to the AOTA Representative Assembly, championing the essential contributions of OTAs and ensuring their voices in governance and practice. A past program director and educator, he has also held leadership roles with the New York State Occupational Therapy Association, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, and Consortium of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Educators.
Internationally, David serves on the board of Caravan of Life, advising The Recovery House in Karachi, Pakistan, to integrate OT into psychiatric rehabilitation services. As Vice-President of the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation, he supports the country’s first OT academic program, promoting sustainable, Haitian-led rehabilitation education.
CE credits are not offered for this event.