Academic Presentations & Research
Doctoral Research
My current research examines the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and interoceptive awareness in adulthood, exploring how early life adversity may influence individuals’ ability to perceive, interpret, and regulate internal bodily signals. ACEs including experiences such as abuse, neglect, household instability, and exposure to violence, have been widely associated with long-term impacts on neurological development, stress-response systems, and overall health outcomes. These early experiences can disrupt interoceptive processing, which plays a foundational role in emotional regulation, self-awareness, and engagement in meaningful occupations. this study investigates the association between cumulative ACE exposure and multidimensional interoceptive awareness in adults aged 18 years and older.
Statistical analyses examined correlations between ACE scores and interoceptive domains including attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, body listening, and trusting bodily sensations, providing insight into how childhood adversity may influence bodily awareness and regulation processes later in life. These results suggest that childhood adversity may contribute to long-term differences in how individuals interpret and utilize internal bodily cues. Understanding this relationship is important for occupational therapy practice, as interoception is closely linked to emotional regulation, mental health, and occupational participation.
This research contributes to emerging occupational therapy literature examining how early life adversity influences interoceptive awareness and participation across the lifespan. Findings from this study suggest that cumulative exposure to adverse childhood experiences may be associated with decreased interoceptive awareness in adulthood, particularly within domains related to attention regulation, self-regulation, and trust in bodily sensations. Understanding this relationship provides valuable insight for occupational therapy practitioners, supporting the integration of trauma-informed, interoception-focused assessment and intervention approaches to improve emotional regulation, health outcomes, and meaningful occupational participation for individuals with histories of childhood adversity. Supporting the importance of trauma-informed, interoception-focused assessment and intervention approaches and highlights the role occupational therapists can play in addressing the long-term effects of childhood adversity across the lifespan.
Foster Care Research & Advocacy
My academic work also examines the occupational and developmental challenges experienced by children involved in foster care systems. Children in foster care frequently experience instability, trauma exposure, and disruptions in educational and developmental supports, which can significantly affect cognitive development, emotional regulation, and occupational performance. Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to support this population through trauma-informed, client-centered interventions that promote skill development, participation in school and daily routines, and long-term resilience. Expanding occupational therapy involvement within foster care systems can help address gaps in healthcare and educational services while supporting improved developmental and life outcomes for vulnerable children.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma-Informed Occupational Therapy Interventions
Educational poster infographic explored Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-informed occupational therapy interventions, emphasizing how traumatic experiences, including neglect, abuse, violence, discrimination, natural disasters, and other adverse events. Educating high school student on disrupt emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, and decreased engagement in daily routines, that may be rooted in PTSD. Trauma can remain present within the body’s sensory and stress-response systems, influencing sleep, concentration, self-care, and participation in meaningful occupations (AOTA, 2023). The poster and accompanying handout highlight the role of occupational therapy in supporting individuals experiencing PTSD through evidence-based strategies such as trauma-informed routine development, sensory modulation for arousal regulation, coping-skill habit training, sleep hygiene and environmental adaptations, and gradual re-engagement in valued roles. The project also emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration with mental health providers, primary care professionals, social workers, and occupational therapy assistants while incorporating outcome measures such as the COPM and PCL-5 to monitor occupational performance and symptom progression. By integrating trauma-informed care, health-promotion strategies, and culturally responsive interventions, occupational therapy can help individuals rebuild regulation, safety, and participation in everyday life following trauma.
