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About Karen McCarthy

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. 

Positions

2022 - Present Associate Professor, Dominican University of California ‐ Department of Occupational Therapy
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August 2016 - 2022 Assistant Professor, Dominican University of California ‐ Department of Occupational Therapy
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February 2012 - 2016 Lecturer, University College Cork, Ireland ‐ Occupational Therapy
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August 2008 - January 2012 Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Southern California ‐ Clinial Occupational Therapy
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February 2006 - June 2008 Occupational Therapist, La Familia Drug Abuse Services
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January 2005 - July 2007 Occupational Therapist, University of Southern California ‐ New Well Elderly Study
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February 2005 - February 2006 Occupational Therapist, College Community Services
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Curriculum Vitae

Disciplines

Research Interests

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Professional Service and Affiliations

2018 - Present Chair, Psychiatric Occupational Therapy Action Coaltions (POTAC)
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Honors and Awards

  • President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, UCC, 2014

Courses

  • Psychosocial Aspects of Occupation
  • Psychosocial Aspects of Occupation - Lab

Education

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December 2016 M.S., University College Cork, Ireland ‐ Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
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2015 Postgraduate Diploma, University College Cork, Ireland
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2014 Postgraduate Certificate, University College Cork, Ireland ‐ Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
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2008 Ph.D., University of Southern California ‐ Occupational Therapy
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2004 M.A., University of Southern California ‐ Occupational Therapy
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2002 B.A., University of California - San Diego ‐ Human Development
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Links

Contact Information

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

Email:

Articles (14)

Conference Papers and Presentations (21)