Spotlight: Amy Wagenfeld, PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, FAOTA
As an accomplished practitioner, educator, design consultant, researcher, and author, Dr. Amy Wagenfeld (PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, EDAC, FAOTA) has worn almost every hat available in the occupational therapy wardrobe. Despite her change in roles, one factor remained consistent: the understanding that there is something indispensable and health-promoting about nature. With this in mind, Dr. Wagenfeld went on to co-author Therapeutic Gardens: Design for Healing Spaces with landscape architect Daniel Winterbottom. Now she is embarking on another revolutionary authorship with occupational therapist Dr. Amy Zhao and occupational therapy doctorate student Shannon Marder. The book, Take it Outside: Reconceptualizing Where Therapy is Provided, will examine the benefits of utilizing nature as a therapeutic medium for healthcare professionals. It will be the first of its kind.
Take it Outside Conception and Vision
Reflecting on the initial conception for the book, Dr. Wagenfeld recalled her time clinically working with children, “Whenever I could, we went outside. And that was before I could even identify that there was something really important and health-promoting about nature.” In more clearly realizing the relationship between well-being and the natural environment, Dr. Wagenfeld became keenly aware of the untapped use of outdoor spaces. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurants, classrooms, and hairdressers all moved outside, a publisher approached Dr. Wagenfeld to gauge her interest in writing another book. She already knew what it would be about.
Forging the Way
Prior to Dr. Wagenfeld’s unique contributions to occupational therapy, evidence on the relationship between occupational therapy principles, nature, health, and design were scant. At the beginning of her foray into nature and health, Dr. Wagenfeld embraced an exploratory mindset and reached out to individuals whose work she was interested in, many of whom were not necessarily occupational therapists. Dr. Wagenfeld identified landscape architects, contacted them, and built rapport that lent itself to the development of new, interprofessional ideas and projects. A major part in her success was having confidence in what occupational therapy is and how it has the capacity to influence design. Lots of occupational therapists work on environmental modification (though mostly indoors), but Dr. Wagenfeld wanted to push the boundaries of “environments”. Through boldness, determination, and conviction, she has redefined the possibilities of what occupational therapy can do.
Keep an eye out for the release of Take it Outside: Reconceptualizing Where Therapy is Provided, which will be published by SLACK, Inc. Learn more about Dr. Wagenfeld’s work at Boston University and AOTA.
Spotlight written by Madelyn Yoo, OTS