Carol Lambdin-Pattavina, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, CTP, FAOTA
Location
Dr. Carol Lambdin-Pattavina has been a licensed and registered occupational therapist for 26 years. Her primary practice focus is adolescent and adult community-based mental health. Dr. Lambdin-Pattavina has specialized in working with individuals and groups to craft a life of their design through the use of occupation. She has spearheaded the development of several community-based programs including a supported employment program for community-dwelling adults, a computer training program for those with chronic mental health challenges, and a sensory-based program for adolescents from hard places. She is a staunch advocate for those bearing psychiatric labels and is actively involved in the local and national community to improve systems of care and eradicate the stigma that breeds occupational injustice. Her research interests include occupation-based interventions delivered in the community for marginalized and underrepresented individuals, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and inter-professional education. Dr. Lambdin-Pattavina has extensive teaching experience in courses related to mental health, occupational analysis, group work, communication, and therapeutic use of self.
Credentials
Education
Awards and Accolades
- 2025: Recipient of the Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award - Florida International University
- 2023: Recipient of the AOTA Rosters of Fellows - American Occupational Therapy Association
- 2023: Recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award - Westbrook College of Health Professions
- 2023: Recipient of the Special Interest Section Excellence in Writing Award - American Occupational Therapy Association
- 2021: Nominee for Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award - Westbrook College of Health Professions
- 2016: Recipient of the Florida Occupational Therapy Association Award of Recognition - Florida Occupational Therapy Association
- 2006: Recipient of the Adjunct Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award - Florida International University
- 2006: Recipient of the Gail Ann Hills Award - Florida International University
Expertise
- Active learning
- Adolescents
- Behavioral health
- Mental health
Research
Selected publications
Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Stav, W., Quint, N. & Dunbar-Smalley, S. (2026). An occupational revolution: Reclaiming what matters. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (Accepted)
Gallagher, M. & Lambdin-Pattavina, C. (2025); Threat or opportunity? social prescribing and implications for occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(6), 7906347110. doi:
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. (2025). Professionalism…What is it anyway? Researching and communally defining an elusive social construct in occupational therapy programs. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education 9(2).
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. (2025). Recovery, meaning-making, and severe mental illness: A comprehensive guide to metacognitive reflection and insight therapy (1st ed.), Occupational Therapy in Mental Health,
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. (2024). Complementary Health Approaches for Occupational Therapists (1st ed.): Brittany Ferri. 2021, Thorofare, NJ: Slack, Incorporated, 215 pp., Softcover, $59.95. ISBN 10: 1630918571, ISBN 13: 9781630918576. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 1–3.
Keptner, K., Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Jalaba, T., Nawotniak, S., & Cozzolino, M. (2024). The Issue Is—Preparing for and responding to the current mental health tsunami: Embracing Mary Reilly’s call to action. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78, 7801347010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050200
Batteson, T. J., Chirica, M. G., Fox, K. S., Froehlich, J., Garber, S. S., Lambdin-Pattavina, C., McCormack Tutt, S. A., Ochs, L., Rodriguez, K., Ross, N. J., & Thuente, L. (2023). Utilizing video simulation in interprofessional education to teach IPEC competencies and social determinants of health: A universal IPE teaching tool. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 31(1).
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. & Pyatak, E. (2022). Occupational therapy’s role in chronic conditions. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 73(S3).
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. & Dart, L. (2022). Complex trauma and neurodiversity: What happens in childhood doesn't always stay in childhood. SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(3).
Lambdin-Pattavina, C., & O’Brien, J. (2021). Teaching in the new millennium: An autoethnographic approach to exploring occupational adaptation of occupational therapy professors. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v21i4.4211
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. (2020). Wellness, prevention and advocacy. In N. Carson (Ed.) Psychosocial Occupational Therapy (pp. 262-282). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. A., Desiderio, K., Gilmore, R., & Manohar, B., (2020). Using appreciative inquiry to explore and enhance perceptions of empowerment for those experiencing homelessness: A pilot study. Work, 65(2), 271–283. https://doi-org.une.idm.oclc.org/10.3233/WOR-203079
Fette, C., Lambdin-Pattavina, C., & Weaver, L. L. (2019). Continuing Education Article. Understanding and applying trauma-informed approaches across occupational therapy settings. OT Practice, 24(5), 35.
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. (2019). You've come a long way baby: An autoethnographic approach to identifying the perceived health benefits of smoking. Research Conference of the Society for the Study of Occupation, Scottsdale, AZ.
Lambdin-Pattavina, C. (2019). Burnout and compassion fatigue: Caring for the “carers”. Relias Continuing Education.com @
Paul-Ward, A. Lambdin-Pattavina, C. (2016). New roles for occupational therapy to promote independence among youth aging out of foster care. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 70(3), 1-5.
Paul-Ward, A. Lambdin-Pattavina, C. & Haskell, A. (2014). Occupational therapy’s emerging role with transitioning adolescents in foster care. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health 30(2), 162-177.
Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Cabrera, K. , Peirce, C., Decker, R., Denne, A., Desiderio, K., Gilmore, R., Gutierrez, A., Immerman, C., Manohar, B., Roncesvalles, J., West, A. & Williams, R. (2017). “Promoting occupational justice using an appreciative inquiry approach with key stakeholders at a day shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness”: Research Conference of the Society for the Study of Occupation, Seattle, WA
2017 Lambdin-Pattavina, C. & Reese-Walter, J. “Using Art to Facilitate Communication and Understanding of Differing Perspectives among Interprofessional Groups of Healthcare Students: Results of A Pilot Study”: American Occupational Therapy Association, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Beauchamp, D., Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Pace, J., Razla, S., & Voyles, C. “Attitudes of, Supports for, and Barriers towards Interprofessional Education Among Faculty of and Students Enrolled in Graduate Healthcare Curricula”: American Occupational Therapy Association, Philadelphia, PA
Other scholarly activity
2024 (October). Dunbar-Smalley, S. Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Truskowski, S, & Winston, K. Leadership as Occupation: Future Implications for Occupational Science. SSO: USA Conference 2024.
2024 (March). Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Baker, G., Cozzolino, M., & Jalaba, T. Mental Health Special Interest Section: Accomplishments & Rewards of Volunteerism. AOTA Conference, Orlando, Fl.
2023 (October). Lambdin-Pattavina, C. & Nawotniak, S. OT’s Role in Supporting People with Lived Experiences of Psychosis: An Untapped Source of Support. ISPS-US Annual Conference, DE.
2023 (September). Lambdin-Pattavina, C. Attachment, Trauma, & Mental Illness: Intersections & Implications at the Micro, Meso, and Macro Levels of Care. Canadian Occupational Therapy Association Webinar.
2022 (December). Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Lannigan, E. & Linkie, C.Psychosis, trauma & attachment: Intersections and implications for reimagining OT approaches to support meaningful occupational participation. AOTA Mental Health Specialty Conference. Columbus, OH.
2022 (April). Lambdin-Pattavina, C. & Schwartz, G. (2022). Moving into mental health practice: Current trends, knowledge, and skills for success. Workshop presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire Conference. San Antonio, TX.
2022 (April). Lambdin-Pattavina, C. Occupational therapy practitioners’ perceptions of the impact of academic and professional training on burnout and compassion fatigue. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire Conference. San Antonio, TX.
2022 (April). Blanton-Hubbard, E., Kirchen, T. Lambdin-Pattavina, C., and Lannigan, L. Psychosis as a human experience. 3-hour workshop presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire Conference in San Antonio, TX.
2021 (October). Bateson, T., Collins, K., Crampsey, E., Dornblaser, E., Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Hall, K., & Ochs, L. Critical discourse analysis: An innovative approach to assessing student IPE competencies during simulated telehealth encounters. Nexis Summit. Virtual platform.
2021 (April) Lambdin-Pattavina, C. Bowler, M., Leblanc, M., Montgomery, J. It takes a village: Graduate health care students’ perceptions of the campus environment to support mental health and wellness. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire Conference. Virtual platform.
2021 (April) Lambdin-Pattavina, C. Tyminski, Q, & Weaver, L. Finding and creating mental health jobs: A series of case studies. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire Conference. Virtual platform.
Invited plenary presentation
2024 (March) Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Baker, G., Cozzolino, M., & Jalaba, T. AOTA MHSIS Presents—The State of Mental Health Care in the United States: Tangible Steps OT Practitioners Can Take to Move the Nation Toward Greater Health and Wellness. AOTA Conference, Orlando FL.
2024 (February) Keptner, K., Lambdin-Pattavina, C., Jalaba, T., Nawotniak, S., & Cozzolino, M. (2024). The Issue Is—Preparing for and responding to the current mental health tsunami: Embracing Mary Reilly’s call to action. American Journal of Occupational Therapy Authors & Issues Session 25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPKz11ve4Wk
2023 (November) Lambdin-Pattavina, C. Professionalism: What Does It Really Mean? Keynote Speaker for the AOTA Education Summit. Denver, CO.
2023 (July) Lambdin-Pattavina, C. Change Is Afoot: What Is Your Why? Keynote Speaker for Pi Theta Epsilon of USAHA.
2022 (November) Lambdin-Pattavina, C. The solution is rooted in the problem: Healing disconnection by fostering community. Keynote speaker for the Florida Occupational Therapy Conference. Tampa FL
2022 (June) Lambdin-Pattavina, C. Trauma, Attachment, and Mental Illness: Intersections and Implications at the Micro, Meso, and Macro Levels. Occupational Therapy Association of California Conference. Virtual platform.
Research interests
SoTL
Early Childhood Trauma
Mental Health and Wellness
Group Work
Program Development