Natalie Perkins
Natalie A. Perkins, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR/L, FIIE is the Program Director and Assistant Clinical Professor for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Pacific. She has expertise in scholarship, teaching, and clinical practice. Dr. Perkins is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the field of occupational therapy.
Dr. Perkins received her BS in Occupational Therapy and MEd in Adult Education at Colorado State University, and her Doctorate at Boston University. She has published numerous journal articles and presented widely at state and national conferences. Dr. Perkins is the founder and owner of TheraPERKS, an evidence-based self-awareness training application. Her research and scholarly pursuits examine self-awareness, therapeutic rapport, emotional intelligence, and the impact on patient health outcomes. She is dedicated to supporting students and educators in the use of evidence-based practice as well as innovative ways to integrate occupational therapy into communities.
Dr. Perkins has over twenty years’ experience as a clinical occupational therapist with specialty certifications in sensory integration, neuro-rehabilitation, ergonomics, and TEACCH Autism Program. She translates her clinical experiences to the classroom and within Pacific’s OTD curricula.
Dr. Perkins’ aim at Pacific is to create an engaging and inclusive learning environment, promote holistic OTD students, and advocate for the community.
Dr. Perkin’s research examines the interface between emotional intelligence and therapeutic rapport, she examines the individual factors and clinical demands associated with health outcomes and client satisfaction. She also researches the implications of emotional intelligence and student fieldwork outcomes.
She is the recipient of several grants and awards including Academic Planning and Development, diversity Grants,merit awards, sustainability grant, and mini-recruiting grant.
Dr. Perkin’s is the founding developer of TheraPERKS, an emotional intelligence training application for healthcare professionals.
Dr. Perkin’s is involved in cross institutional development and study and evaluation of mentoring among peers and professionals in academic settings.
She has numerous clinical specialty certifications including SIPT, NDT, CAPC, QPR, FIM, STAR, and QI.
Dr. Perkin’s is dedicated to giving back to the community and volunteers at local schools, health clinics, and shelters. She has developed community programs, led by OT students, to provide mentoring to adolescents and young adults.
