Alison Rebels
Biography
Dr. Rebels has over 13 years of experience working as an occupational therapist. across a variety of practice settings. Sharing her genuine passion for the field and mentoring future occupational therapists is one of Dr. Rebel’s most meaningful occupations.
She became an adjunct instructor for the ̨ÍåSWAGUniversity Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program in 2021 and joined the department as a full-time faculty member in 2023.
She has presented at a variety of conferences, including events for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA). Current areas of particular interest include child development, the student experience in higher education, and spirituality in occupational therapy practice.
It's not enough to give a patient something to do with their hands. You must reach for the heart as well as the hands. It's the heart that really does the healing.
-Ora Ruggles, a pioneer in occupational therapy
Education
OTD, Occupational Therapy
Boston University
2019
MS, Occupational Therapy
Boston University
2010
BS, Therapeutic Studies
Boston University
2008
Licensures and Certificates
- Licensed Occupational Therapist, New York State and New Jersey
- Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR), National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
̨ÍåSWAGUniversity Service
- Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Faculty Advisor
- Academic Dismissal Appeals Committee, Chair
- Academic Standing and Professionalism Committee, Committee Member
Presentations
Spotlight on Spirituality. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference, Conversation that Matters presentation. Rebels, A (March 2024).
Beyond Scrolling: Students Creating Social Media and Podcast Content as Learning Tools. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference, poster presentation. Raymond-Tolan, L. & Rebels, A. (March 2024).
Beyond Scrolling: Students Creating Social Media and Podcast Content as Learning Tools. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Education Summit, roundtable discussion presentation. Raymond-Tolan, L. & Rebels, A. (November 2023).
Beyond Scrolling: Students Creating Social Media and Podcast Content as Learning Tools. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions 2023 Virtual Teaching and Learning Summit, summit presentation. Raymond-Tolan, L. & Rebels, A. (November 2023).
Beyond Scrolling: Students Creating Social Media and Podcast Content as Learning Tools. New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA), Continuing Education series for Occupational Therapy Educators, Raymond-Tolan, L. & Rebels, A. (March 2023).
Beyond Scrolling: Students Creating Social Media and Podcast Content as Learning Tools. The Massachusetts Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Virtual Winter Conference presentation. Raymond-Tolan, L. & Rebels, A. (March 2023).
The World is Our Playground: The Effects of Screen Time on Healthy Childhood Development from the Perspective of an Occupational Therapist. The 2015 International DIRFloortime® Conference: Embracing Individual Differences. Rebels, A. & Sullivan, L. (September 2015).
The World is Our Playground: The Effects of Screen Time on Healthy Childhood Development from the Perspective of an Occupational Therapist. The Rebecca School DIR® 2015 Conference: Respecting Autism in a DIR® School. Rebels, A. & Sullivan, L. (April 2015).
Professional Memberships
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- New York State Occupational Therapy Association
Research Interests
- Spirituality in occupational therapy practice
- The student experience in higher education
- Child development