This post is a guest post written by Brittany Conners, OTR/L, a practicing Occupational Therapist and the creator of SpOT Sessions, also known as (Sp)eak OT Sessions.
Several weeks ago, I had the chance to meet Brittany and participate in one of her SpOT Sessions in Atlanta. I loved the concept so much that I had to connect with her and asked her to share her story with the My OT Spot community.
I hope it provides you with the information and opportunity to connect with Brittany and participate in a SpOT Session near you soon!
________________
Hi, I’m Brittany Conners. I’m an Occupational Therapist from St. Louis, MO. I am a 2014 graduate of Saint Louis University’s OT Master’s program.
Recently, I’ve returned to SLU for the OTD Program as a full time student. I have been practicing for a little over two years and I currently specialize in Mental Health OT.
I have been inspired by the OTD program to host events focused on self-advocacy and empowerment of therapists in the field. They are called SpOT Sessions, which is short for Speak OT Sessions.
SpOT Sessions are an attempt to create a space for OT and COTA personnel to convene, network, and collaborate. Through research and personal experience, I’ve realized our hard work, literature, and distinct value often do not make it outside of the OT world.
I am hoping to change this one city at a time.
OTs, COTAs, and students alike expressed great interest for collaboration and discussion with other professions during SpOT Sessions. I’m creating a space for interdisciplinary participation as the SpOT Sessions will be open to various professionals such as anthropologists, nurses, social workers, criminal justice personnel, and many others.
I’ve invited other professions to the event to broaden the conversation about Occupational Therapy. Nursing colleagues recently joined the conversation on empowerment and I’m looking forward to hearing from other valuable professions as well at future sessions. This is yet another goal I am looking forward to achieving.
Tips on self-advocacy will be provided to empower students and practitioners alike to be creative in practice, speak boldly for the field, and be assertive in the field in various settings.
SpOT Sessions serve as a perfect opportunity for:
- Students to connect with other students from area schools and potential mentors.
- OTs, COTAs, and students to provide education about the field to various professional backgrounds in attendance.
- Practitioners to connect with others who share similar project and/or research ideas to produce collaborative efforts for the field of Occupational Therapy.
- OTs, COTAs, and students to collaborate with various professionals outside of the field to discuss new and exciting opportunities for Occupational Therapy.
To be empowered, inspired, rejuvenated, energized, and refreshed!
Please join me in inciting a shift across our field to discover ways to empower therapists and students as well as educate our communities about Occupational Therapy.
The event is FREE, open to students as well as practitioners, and boasts an informal format to encourage discussion, collaboration, and creativity. I am asking for your help in making this event a reality.
Invite your colleagues, students, and friends from various professional backgrounds to be empowered! We work better together. Let’s use the power we have to inspire and strengthen our communities!
Thank you for the support thus far! Chicago and Atlanta have already been empowered and they are ready to use their passion in a positive way. Thank you for continually inspiring me to be creative, innovative, and a critical thinker!
I am open for feedback, constructive criticism, and guidance as my hope is for SpOT Sessions to grow and prosper!
_______________
I want to thank Brittany for sharing her project with My OT Spot, and for working hard to empower current and future Occupational Therapy practitioners.
Brittany would love to hear from you!
Whether you have questions, are interested in attending a SpOT Session, or would like to invite her for a SpOT Session in your hometown, you can contact her at brittanytheot@gmail.com, or Facebook (Brittany L. Conners) at any time.
