Personal profile

About

Dr. Karen McCarthy began her career as an occupational therapist participating in the landmark occupational therapy research study: The USC Well Elderly Study II: Health Mediating Effects of the Well Elderly Program. She completed her clinical doctorate in Occupational Therapy at USC in 2008, focusing on the development of the program Lifestyle Redesign® for the College Student. She then moved from Los Angeles to Ireland to teach Mental Health Occupational Therapy at University College Cork, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy from 2012-2016. She started her position at Dominican University of California in fall of 2016, teaching Psychosocial Aspects of Occupation. Karen is currently pursuing her PhD in Occupational Science through Queen Margaret University and University College Cork with a focus on play for adults. Karen’s clinical experience is in the areas of mental health, Lifestyle Redesign ®, life coaching, dating coaching, older adults, multiple sclerosis, college student wellness, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Her research interests include mental health and Occupational Science.

Contact Information

Dominican University of California
50 Acacia Ave.
San Rafael, CA 94901

Related documents

Education/Academic qualification

Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, MS, University College Cork

2016

Postgraduate Diploma, University College Cork

2015

Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, Postgraduate Certificate, University College Cork

2014

Occupational Therapy, PhD, University of Southern California

2008

Occupational Therapy, MA, University of Southern California

2004

Human Development, BA, University of California, San Diego

2002

External positions

Committee Chair, Society for the Study of Occupation, OT-U Collaborative Steering Committee

Research Interests

  • Educational, personal, and professional outcomes Occupational Therapy students
  • Emotional Well Being of first year college students
  • Personally Meaningful Daily Activities following chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment for Breast Cancer
  • The Occupation of Dating for Young Irish Women

Disciplines

  • Occupational Therapy