SUSAN NOYES SPEAR, PhD, OTR/L

CURRICULUM VITAE

SUSAN NOYES SPEAR, PhD, OTR/L

EDUCATION

Doctorate– PhD in Educational Studies, Adult Learning Specialization, 2011 Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Master of Science – Adult Education, 2006 University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME Bachelor of Science – Occupational Therapy, 1984 Tufts University, Medford, MA

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

University of Southern Maine, Lewiston, Maine, 2012-present Assistant Professor, Masters in Occupational Therapy Program

Responsible for teaching courses in mental health OT practice, OT foundations, and research; engaging in scholarship and community service; and advising students.

TriCounty Mental Health Services, Lewiston, Maine, 2006 – 2012 Occupational Therapist, Community Housing Unit

As first occupational therapist in the agency, performed needs assessment and designed occupational therapy program for 23 adult residents with severe and persistent mental illness in four community residential settings. Conducted occupational therapy assessments and interventions with residents; hired and supervised occupational therapy assistant; developed OT/OTA level I and II student fieldwork program and supervised students every semester; developed new treatment programs and outcome measures. Provided leadership for Housing Unit and Community Rehabilitation Services teams, as well as staff education and training; coordinated resident care with five interdisciplinary teams.

State of Maine Department of Education, Adult Education Division, Augusta, Maine,2009 – 2010 Trainer, “Learning to Achieve” National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) training

Co-facilitated eight trainings with teachers in adult basic education programs throughout southern Maine. Participated in 40-hour training in Durham, New Hampshire (July 2009) on current research on adult learning disabilities.

University of Southern Maine, Lewiston Auburn College, Lewiston, Maine, 2007– 2009 Part-time Instructor, Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program

Taught 6 credits each semester in courses covering occupational therapy foundations and

theories, communication for health professionals, mental health theory and practice, fieldwork seminar; advised students; assisted with curriculum planning and revision and program accreditation.

University of Southern Maine, Lewiston Auburn College, Lewiston, Maine, 2006; 2011, 2012 Adjunct Instructor, Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program

Planned curriculum and taught 6-credit mental health course including group process, spring semester.

Building Partnerships Group, Maine Department of Education, Augusta, Maine, 2006 – 2009 Consultant

Maine adults, in collaboration with Adult Education Consultant and Partnership members. Portland Adult Education, Portland, Maine, 2006

Teacher, “New Directions” Program

Taught workplace communication, job readiness, and business English courses in customer service certificate program for 15 recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funding. OT Consultation and Rehabilitation Service, Lincolnville, Maine, 2001 – 2002

Occupational Therapist Consultant

Provided in-home functional assessments for clients referred to community-based private practice. Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, 1989 – 2006

Occupational Therapist, Department of Psychiatry

Provided case management and OT evaluation services to Odyssey Program-Youth in Transition Team. Performed comprehensive OT evaluations with individuals in inpatient, partial hospital, outpatient mental health settings, and in Employment Intervention Demonstration Project (EIDP) and TANF grants. Administered variety of assessment tools; synthesized results into thorough summary of

functional/vocational recommendations for patients/clients. Facilitated psychoeducation groups with topics such as life skills, stress management, vocational planning, and problem solving. Designed and ran therapeutic task group interventions to facilitate cognitive, motor, and sensory skill development to support participation in activities of daily living. Facilitated multi-family psychoeducation groups and trained other providers in the model. Trained/mentored/supervised new staff in outpatient OT division; developed strategic plan for division; provided formal staff education both in-house and for community agencies. Supervised OT students on level I and II fieldwork.

McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, 1988 Rehabilitation Coordinator

Provided OT evaluation to adult patients on an inpatient psychiatric unit, determined and coordinated necessary rehabilitation services; designed individual treatment interventions, facilitated task and psychoeducation groups, supervised level II OT fieldwork students.

Maine Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Portland, Maine, 1984 – 1987 Occupational Therapist

Provided OT evaluation and group and individual treatment to patients on a 26-bed inpatient psychiatric unit. Supervised level I and II OT fieldwork students. Served as Acting Director.

CREDENTIALS

 Maine Occupational Therapist license, #OT13

 National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), #AA517011

 Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) certified, 1998

 Certification in Psychosocial Rehabilitation Counseling (MHRT III), University of Southern Maine, 1996

 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

 Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MEOTA)

 Maine Adult Education Association (MAEA)

 Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE)

PUBLICATIONS

Education programs (Doctoral dissertation). Cambridge, MA: Lesley University.

 Spear, S. (2007). Adult education: What’s OT got to do with it? Mental Health Special Interest Section Quarterly, 30(2), 1–3. American Occupational Therapy Association: Maryland.

 Spear, S. (2006). A passion for education. Profiles of Intentional Teaching and Liberal Learning. (R. Sanford, Ed.). Portland, ME: University of Southern Maine. pp.11-20.

 Leavitt, R. & Spear, S. (2002). The power of work. Rehab Management, June/July.

 Leavitt, R. & Spear, S. (1998). Cognitive assessments and work. OT Practice, March. SCHOLARLY WORKS IN PROGRESS:

 Clark, L. & Spear, S. (in press). Ethical Leadership. New chapter in revised volume of An Occupational Therapy Perspective on Leadership. Dunbar, S., Winston, K. (Eds.) SLACK: Thorofare, NJ.

 Spear, S. IRB Protocol # 13-07-228, University of Southern Maine: (in preparation).

“Occupational Therapy Intervention with Compulsive Hoarding Behaviors: A Single Case Study”

 Spear, S. (in preparation). “Friendly visitor”: An occupational therapist’s experience of supporting a person with compulsive hoarding behavior. OT Practice. American Occupational Therapy Association: Maryland.

 Spear, S. (in preparation). Living in the community with serious mental illness: Occupational therapy’s role in a community residential setting. Mental Health Special Interest Section Quarterly. American Occupational Therapy Association: Maryland.

 Spear, S. (in preparation). Doing “whatever works”: ABE teachers’ perceptions of teaching adults with learning difficulties. Journal of Research and Practice for Adult Literacy, Secondary, and Basic Education. Commission on Adult Basic Education: Western Kentucky University

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

 Spear, S. Sensory Considerations in the Adult Education Classroom, Sanford Community Adult Education Program teacher training, Sanford, ME, September, 2013

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 Spear, S. Sensory Considerations in the Adult Education Classroom, Maine Adult Education Association (MAEA), Waterville, ME, June, 2013

 Spear, S. Living in the Community with Serious Mental Illness: Occupational Therapy’s Role in a Community Residential Setting, Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MeOTA), Bangor, ME, June, 2013

 Grainger, E., Spear, S., Cote, S. Hoarding 101: Occupational Therapists’ Role, panel presentation; Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MeOTA), Bangor, ME, June, 2013

 Spear, S. Living in the Community with Serious Mental Illness: Occupational Therapy’s Role in a Community Residential Setting, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) annual conference, San Diego, CA, April 2013

 Guest lecturer, Occupational Therapy in Community-Based Mental Health, University of New Hampshire, April, 2013

 Spear, S. Whatever Works: Teaching Adults with Learning Difficulties in Adult Basic Education Programs, Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) annual conference, New Orleans, LA, March 2013

 Guest lecturer, Understanding Learning Styles, Tri-County Mental Health Services, Lewiston, ME, February, 2013

 Spear, S. Whatever Works: Teaching Adults with Learning Difficulties in Adult Basic Education Programs, Maine Adult Education Association annual conference, Waterville, ME, June, 2012

 Guest lecturer, Occupational Therapy in Community-Based Mental Health, University of New Hampshire, April, 2012

 Spear, S. Public dissertation presentation: “Whatever Works: Teaching Adults with Learning Difficulties in Adult Basic Education Programs,” Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, October 2011

 Guest lecturer, Occupational Therapy in Community-Based Mental Health, University of New Hampshire, May, 2011

 Guest lecturer, Cognitive Assessments in Occupational Therapy, Central Maine Community College, Auburn, ME, November, 2010

 Spear, S. Teaching Adults with Learning Difficulties: Adult Basic Education Teachers’ Perspectives, American Association of Adult and Continuing Education annual conference, Clearwater, FL, October, 2010

 Spear, S. Teaching Adults with Learning Difficulties: Adult Basic Education Teachers’

Perspectives, Maine Adult Education Association annual conference, Waterville, ME, June, 2010

 Iwama, M., Spear, S., Levesque, A., Tobey, T., Johnston, S. (Invited presentation) Exploring Use of the KAWA Model of Practice in a Variety of Clinical Settings, Are you plugged in: Get connected, USM/MOT Symposium, Lewiston, ME, April, 2010

 Spear, S. (Invited panelist) Open Forum on OT Practice, University of Southern Maine, Lewiston, ME, March, 2008

 Spear, S. Adult Education: What’s OT Got To Do With It? MEOTA Fall conference, UNE, Portland, ME, 2007

 Guest Lecturer, Kennebec Valley Community College COTA program, Waterville, ME, 2006 – 2009

 Black, R. & Spear, S. Exploring Occupational Justice: Global and Personal Perspective, MEOTA Fall Conference, Portland, ME, October, 2006

 Spear, S. Evaluation Tools, presented to Vocational Services Dept, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, 2005

 Guest Lecturer, University of Southern Maine, MOT program, Lewiston, ME, 2005

 Spear, S. Using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, presented to Community Health Services, Portland, ME, 2004

 Spear, S. Mental Health Assessments in the Community, presented to Community Health Services, Portland, ME, 2003

 Spear, S. How to Run Groups, presented at Augusta Mental Health Institute, 2002

 Spear, S. Cognitive Remediation, presented to Maine Medical Center OT Department, Portland, ME, 2002

 McFarlane, W., Jacobson, L., Perry, K., Orr, M., & Spear, S. Workshop in Family Psychoeducation, South Portland, ME, 1998

REVIEWER

Journal of Research and Practice for Adult Literacy, Secondary, and Basic Education, 2013-present

COMMITTEES and SERVICE University of Southern Maine:

 Master of Occupational Therapy Program, faculty advisor for Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), 2013-2014

 Work-Family Balance Working Group, USM NSF Advance Planning Grant, 2013-present

 Master of Occupational Therapy Program Search Committee for Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, USM-LAC 2013

 Master of Occupational Therapy Advisory Board Member, USM-LAC 2008 -present

 Master of Occupational Therapy Program, Admissions Committee, USM-LAC, 2008-Present Maine Occupational Therapy Association:

 Chair, Communities of Practice, 2013-present

 Chair, spring conference committee, 2013

 Continuing Education Committee, 2012-present

 Secretary, 2008 – 2010

 Chair, Mental Health Special Interest Section, 2006 – 2012 Hoarding Task Force: City of Portland, Maine, 2011-present

CONTINUING EDUCATION (as participant)

 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) annual conference, San Diego, CA, April 2013

 Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) annual conference, New Orleans, LA, March 2013

 Understanding Compulsive Hoarding, Shalom House, Portland, Maine, November 2011

 Mental Health Support Staff (MHSS) Trainer Certification Program , Augusta, ME, 2011

 Advancing the Dialogue: Medication and Mental Illness, University of New England, Portland, ME, 2011

 Mental Health Support Staff (MHSS)certification training, Tri-County Mental Health Services, Lewiston, ME, 2011

 Brain Injury and Homelessness Forum, Augusta, ME, 2010

 Memory: A Seminar for Health Professionals, Portland, ME, 2010

 Locating Culture in the Contexts of Occupation-Based Practice: Evening with a Scholar, USM, Lewiston, ME, 2010

 Leadership Workshop, Tri-County Mental Health Services, Lewiston, ME, 2009

 Managing Performance and People, Tri-County Mental Health Services, Lewiston, ME, 2009

 Cognitive Remediation in Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City, 2009

 Research Findings and Clinical Tools for Preventing Psychosis, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, 2009

 Maine Occupational Therapy Association Legislative Workshop, Augusta, ME, 2009

 Introduction to Foundation Grant Writing, South Portland, ME, 2009

 Fall Practice Symposium, Maine Occupational Therapy Association, Portland, ME, 2008

 Literacy Volunteers Training, Scarborough, ME, 2008

 Neuro-Occupation: Context for Complex Practice, UNE, Portland, ME, 2008

 7th Annual Cognitive Symposium: Interweaving the Cognitive Disabilities Model with Other Intervention Models, Boston, MA, 2008

 Maine Occupational Therapy Association Fall conference, UNE, Portland, ME, 2007

 Maine Occupational Therapy Association Spring conference, Fairfield, ME, 2007

 Models for Community-Based Psychosocial Practice, American Occupational Therapy Association, online continuing education, 2007

 Cognitive Remediation in Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City, 2006

 Neuropsychology of Reading, Portland Adult Education, Portland, ME, 2006

 Learning Disabilities Association of Maine annual conference, Portland, ME, 2004

 Contemporary Assessment Practices in Pediatric Therapy, New York City, 2003

 The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, Danvers, MA, 2002

 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Yarmouth, ME, 2001

 Brain-Compatible Learning, Portland, ME, 2001

 Memory, Portland, ME, 1999

 Multi-Context Approach to Cognitive Rehabilitation, New York City, 1999

 Connecting with Challenging Teens, Portland, ME, 1999

 Understanding Anxiety, Portland, ME, 1998

 Assessment of Motor and Process Skills certification training, Clearwater, FL, 1998

 Use of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Substance Abuse, Portland, ME, 1997

 Managed Care and Mental Illness, Portland, ME, 1997

 Developing Natural Supports in the Workplace, Portland, ME, 1997

 Alcoholism Treatment in the 21st Century, Portland, ME, 1996

 Accuracy with the Cognitive Levels and Modes, Boston, MA, 1996

 Social Security Benefits Training, Portland, ME, 1996

 Listening to the Body: Understanding the Language of Stress-Related Symptoms, Portland, ME, 1996

 Motivational Counseling: Beyond the Basics of Change, Augusta, ME, 1995

 When Love Hurts: Feminist-Informed Treatment of Violent Men and their Partners, Portland, ME, 1995

 School to Work Transition: The Natural Supports Way, Portland, ME, 1995

 Just Doing It: Helping People with Disabilities Get Employed, Portland, ME, 1994

 Motivational Counseling: Prescriptions for Change, Augusta, ME, 1994

 Psychoeducational Approach to Management of Schizophrenia, Portland, ME, 1993

 Maine Occupational Therapy annual conference, Portland, ME, 1993

 Patient Education: The Key to Successful Outcomes, Portland, ME, 1993

 Tufts University Fieldwork Forum, Medford, MA, 1993

 University of New England Student Conference, Biddeford, ME, 1993

 Maine Occupational Therapy annual conference, Portland, ME, 1992

 Symposium on Health Care Reform, Portland, ME, 1992

 Growth in Connection: The Stone Center Model of Relational Development, Portland, ME, 1992

 The Therapeutic Triangle: An Approach to Couples Treatment, Portland, ME, 1991

 Applying Cognitive Rehabilitation to Mental Health: Assessment and Treatment Strategies for Schizophrenia, New York City, 1990