Date and Time: June 19, 2025, 6-7pm
Chairperson(s): Lisa Boyajian, OTA, MS, COTA, CPRP; Kyle Brennan OTA, COTA
Location: Zoom - to be sent out day before the event
Title: Mental Health and the OTA
Learning Objectives:
Bio/Focus
Occupational therapy assistants are crucial in mental health settings, working to help individuals manage mental health conditions and improve daily functioning. OTAs support clients in developing skills to cope with stress, engage in meaningful activities, and enhance their overall well-being. They assist in creating personalized treatment plans, focusing on areas such as emotional regulation, social interaction, and time management (AOTA, 2020). In psychiatric settings, OTAs facilitate group activities, such as art therapy, role-playing, and community outings, to encourage social integration and build coping strategies (Morrison & Nesselroade, 2018). They also provide psychoeducation to patients and their families, promoting understanding and empowerment in managing mental health challenges (Baker, 2021). As mental health awareness increases, OTAs are becoming essential in interdisciplinary teams, ensuring comprehensive care that addresses both physical and psychological aspects of health.
References:
● American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (2020). Mental health and occupational therapy.
● Morrison, J. L., & Nesselroade, L. A. (2018). Supporting mental health through occupational therapy practice. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 34(1), 1-15.
● Baker, L. L. (2021). The role of occupational therapy in mental health recovery. Journal of Occupational Therapy, 59(4), 20-28.
This event will close at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 25, 6 – 7:30 PM
Chairperson(s): Emily Walker, OT, OTR, Allyson Lewis, OT, OTR, Rosa Colorado, OT, OTR
Location: Zoom - to be sent out the day before the event
Title: Navigating Reimbursement for Mental Health Occupational Therapy Services in Massachusetts
Speaker: Dr. Sherlyn (Sherry) Fenton, OT, OTD, M. Eng
By the end of the session, participants will:
Focus:
This session provides occupational therapy practitioners with essential knowledge and strategies to successfully navigate the reimbursement process for mental health services in Massachusetts. Participants will explore key payers, including Medicaid (MassHealth), Medicare, and private insurance, and learn how to apply appropriate billing codes, meet documentation requirements, and address common reimbursement challenges. This session will equip attendees with the tools needed to optimize reimbursement, advocate for OT services in mental health settings, and ensure financial sustainability in their practice.
Biography:
Dr. Sherlyn Fenton, OT, OTD, M. Eng., owns Community Physical Therapy LLC, located in Hanover, MA. She most recently served as Chief Development Officer for a nonprofit skilled nursing facility and Director of Quality and Compliance for a national non-profit health and human services organization.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University in 1987. While practicing in physical rehabilitation and industrial medicine settings, she earned her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell School of Environmental Engineering, focusing on ergonomics and human factors, in 1997. Ms. Fenton returned to Tufts University and earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy in 2010. Her research explored individuals’ perceptions of dignified care when they required assistance during self-care activities of daily living.
Doctor Fenton has directed rehabilitation in the acute, sub-acute, long-term care, home care, and outpatient settings. She has enjoyed her roles as a clinician, manager, consultant, author, lecturer, and entrepreneur in rehabilitation, human factors, and performance redesign.
Serving the healthcare industry for over thirty-eight years, Sherry has developed companies, marketing tools, quality systems, and corporate compliance programs for healthcare communities. She has evaluated software applications for operations and developed clinical and technological systems while overseeing all aspects of Rehabilitation Services, from recruitment to evidence-based research.
Dr. Fenton is the past President of the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy (MAOT) and served as Vice Chair for the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) Committee for State Association Presidents (ASAP) and Representative of ASAP to AOTA’s Representative Assembly. Sherry is currently the Reimbursement Representative for MAOT.
American Occupational Therapy Association. (n.d.). Billing and coding occupational therapy for mental and behavioral health services. https://www.aota.org
American Occupational Therapy Association. (n.d.). Coding and billing resources for OTs and OTAs. https://www.aota.org
American Occupational Therapy Association. (n.d.). Occupational therapy scope of practice. https://www.aota.org
American Occupational Therapy Association. (n.d.). Occupational therapy's distinct value in mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention across the lifespan. https://www.aota.org
CGS Administrators, LLC. (2025, May 23). Billing and coding: Outpatient physical and occupational therapy services (Article ID: A57067). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=57067
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (n.d.). CBHI in-home therapy practice guidelines. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (n.d.). MassHealth guidelines for medical necessity determination for occupational therapy. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov
Bottom of Form
Logan, V. (2025). Meyer & Sasse (2025): Early’s Mental Health Concepts and Techniques for Occupational Therapy. In Occupational Therapy in Mental Health (pp. 1–2). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This event will close on Tuesday, June 24 at 4:00 p.m. or when the event has reached full capacity.
Save the Date
2025 MAOT/RIOTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Friday, November 7, 2025
Four Points Sheraton
Norwood, MA 02026
MAOT, Inc.
P.O. Box 850543, Braintree, MA 02185
General Inquiries: info@maot.org
RIOTA
P.O. Box 8585, Warwick, RI 02888
General Inquiries: riota@riota.org
Friday, November 7, 2024
Four Points Sheraton Norwood
A Symposium for Occupational Therapy Practitioners,
Students, & Health & Rehabilitation Professionals
Exhibitors and Sponsors
We Gratefully Acknowledge the Support of
Participating Exhibitors and Sponsors!
