Alondra Ammon, MOT, OTR/L: OT in Housing Stability & Retention
In this post, we will learn from Alondra Ammon, MOT, OTR/L. Alondra is an occupational therapist who works in community-based mental health and specializes in housing stability & retention. She is a 1st-generation Salvadorean/Haitian American from Maryland. Alondra learned to overcome adversity and strive despite the challenges of being raised alongside her seven siblings by her single parent, her mother, who immigrated from El Salvador. After high school, Alondra enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, working as a dental assistant and hygienist. During her time in the military, she discovered a passion for helping others in the healthcare field. She graduated with her B.S. in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University and her Master’s in occupational therapy from Samuel Merritt University. During graduate school, Alondra served as the co-president for S.O.T.A. and helped raise over $3,000 for local community outreach and AOTPAC. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Outstanding Student Award and was selected to participate in the Emerging Leaders Development Program through the American Occupational Therapy Association. Currently, Alondra is pursuing her Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman's University and was recently awarded a graduate fellowship called WoMentoring, designed to support women in leadership and research. Her dissertation topic is centered around exploring how learning is influenced by racial/ethnic bias towards students of color during Level II fieldwork. With an increased demand to diversify the profession, Alondra hopes to create equitable and inclusive resources to support the recruitment and retention of graduate students of color and bring more awareness to help mitigate health disparities.
Q & A with Alondra:
Please tell us a little about yourself and a few favorite occupations.
I am originally from Maryland but currently reside in California. I am a first-generation Salvadoran and Haitian American born. My partner and I have been married for almost 16 years and have two kids. A few of my favorite occupations are cooking, eating, spending time with animals, listening to music, getting fresh air, and online shopping.
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
I believe that part of advocacy and representation starts by pulling up a seat at the table. If you want more people to know about the work we (OT practitioners) do, your setting, or about yourself, you have to show up.
Please describe the UncommonOT work that you do and the setting in which you work, the population you serve and the needs that you address.
I currently practice in community-based mental health, supporting individuals transitioning or have transitioned from homelessness to support housing retention and stability. Also, I work as an adjunct instructor in the OT department at Samuel Merritt University!
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
I've always been amazed at how the brain works and how lived experiences influence mental health. I had a psychosocial level II fieldwork rotation as a student, and that experience made me realize how vital the psychosocial component is. It was a senior outpatient mental health program with a range of diagnoses from major depressive disorder, and bipolar, to schizophrenia. No matter the setting, you must consider the psychosocial aspect to build rapport with clients or caregivers.
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
After that fieldwork experience, I knew I wanted to return to mental health at some point. Until then, I just integrated that lens to inform my approach in pediatric settings. Once I left pediatrics, a colleague I met during a webinar invited me to learn about the organization she worked for, and I felt it was the perfect fit. Working in a supportive housing model with individuals transitioning from homelessness who may also have a mental health diagnosis. Since I work with individuals at their current place of residence, I am able to support them in the least restrictive, most natural context.
Please describe a typical day or OT session in your uncommon setting. What OT skills do you utilize?
A typical day involves documentation, team meeting, or OT sessions/groups with the client(s). Since I am not bound by time for my sessions, it allows me the freedom to work with a client for as little or as long as they need. OT sessions target all aspects of a person's daily routines, from ADLs to IADLs, so I have a wide range of ways to utilize psychosocial frameworks like the Kawa Model, OA, and MOHO, to more physical dysfunction or cognitive supports such as environmental home modifications or compensatory strategies.
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
A recent high was advocacy work alongside our registered nurse to help a client be placed in a more supportive housing environment for their safety. A recent low would be the loss of a client. Many factors contribute to one's mental health. We try the best we can as OTs. Knowing that we [OTs] made an effort and understanding that everyone's circumstances are different helps to process those difficult moments.
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
I am a lifelong learner. If it's something that will help me gain a better understanding of my client's needs, support client therapy, or support me as a therapist, I will do it. This includes webinars, podcasts, and books, but not just from an OT perspective. I believe a good therapist is one who always reflects on their performance and what fuels their desires as a person as well.
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
I work for a non-profit organization. That sector of the workforce tends to pay less because most of the funding is through donors, grants, etc. However, my hourly pay is still on par with the average pay for OTs in this area.
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
Look into community-based fieldwork placements. Also, fieldwork placements in mental health are always good to look into. Just keep in mind acute psych and community-based psych are very different. Also, social media is a great way to connect and learn more about OTs in mental health.
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
I was told by a PT that OTs do not work in mental health. When I broke it down, then they understood, but there are some disciplines that believe OTs do not work in mental health. Some do not understand how we differ in our therapeutic approach from other disciplines like psychology or Marriage, and Family Therapist (MFT).
How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you and promote your unique work?
My social media handles: IG & FB @AlondraLaOT
Ways to keep up with my "doings": https://linktr.ee/AlondraLaOT
Suggested readings/Articles:
A systematic review of occupational therapy interventions in the transition from homelessness
Occupational experiences of homelessness: A systematic review and meta-aggregation
Please list any resources you would like me to include with your Show Notes (courses, articles, assessments, tools, etc.)
Books: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
(Dr. Bruce Perry)- https://a.co/d/aSqG8BB Dopamine -
(Dr. Anna Lembke)- https://a.co/d/dTUFQHg
Websites: AOTA - https://www.aota.org/practice/clinical-topics/mental-health California
Supportive Housing- https://www.hcd.ca.gov/grants-funding/active-funding/docs/housing-first-fact-sheet.pdf
The Psychiatric Occupational Therapy Action Coalition (POTAC) https://www.potac.org/
Telemundo https://www.telemundoareadelabahia.com/ott-videos-local/t48-al-momento-esta-manana-aterrizo-el-avion-con-la-vicepresidenta-kamala-harris/2314398/
As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot
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