Johns Hopkins Mental Health Occupational Therapy Fellowship
The fellowship program enables the completion of professional milestones in just one year, which may take several years to attain. It aligns with the AOTA Standards for continuing competence, emphasizing knowledge, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, performance abilities and ethical behavior. The program prepares fellows for career advancement, surpassing the level of their peers who are not board certified. As a Johns Hopkins Health System employee, fellows receive a salary and full-time employee benefits, including medical and paid time off. Graduates of the program will earn more than the 36 units required for National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy certification renewal.
Duration: 12 months
Accreditation: AOTA Accredited
Apply: Apply through Interfolio. Applicants will create a free account in Dossier. Uploaded documents will be saved in the user’s account and can be used for other Interfolio-hosted applications.
Application open: March 25, 2026
Application deadline: May 17, 2026
Selection Process: Applications are scored by the Admissions Committee. Finalists are invited for a virtual interview comprising practice-specific questions and a simulated patient case to assess clinical reasoning, intervention and documentation skills. Final admission decisions are made by the Fellowship Coordinator.
Interview date: Late May 2026
Admission decision: June 2026
Program start: Late August 2026
Prerequisites: applicant must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the PMR department.
View program flyer
Please click the pay application link to pay the supplementary application fee. Application will not be processed until the fee is received and application is complete. All fees are non-refundable.
I was fortunate to work with a variety of mentors. Each of them offered guidance and direction regarding treatment interventions, group dynamics and evaluation measures. They challenged me to expand my knowledge while respecting and fostering my skill set to provide advanced clinical practice.
Joanna Lackner, class of 2018
Eligibility Criteria
- Graduate from an ACOTE-Accredited occupational therapy program
- Occupational therapy license in Maryland
- AHA CPR certification
- AOTA membership
- Please note that we are unable to sponsor visas for international applicants
Fellowship Program Goals
- Foster an inquiry-based and experience-based opportunity to increase an entry-level clinician’s knowledge base and skills to incorporate the values and attitudes necessary to be an advanced practitioner successfully.
- Provide clinical and didactic experiences along multiple service lines to progress the fellow’s clinical practice and clinical reasoning skills in the specialized mental health service delivery area, as evidenced by the successful completion of an outcome-oriented curriculum.
- Embrace the mission of Johns Hopkins Medicine as an outstanding academic medical institution and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation by providing high-quality, evidence-based care.
- Provide ongoing clinical mentoring based upon practice analysis, adult learning theory and active learning strategies and principles to promote the fellow’s intentional engagement throughout the program.
- Afford the fellow with opportunities to participate in advocacy efforts, outreach and education of others and participation in research and quality improvement projects.
- Expect the fellow to comply with existing ethical standards of practice, become knowledgeable in local, state and federal laws and regulations that impact service delivery, and demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with those of an advanced professional in mental health.
Fellowship Program Features
- Specialized mental health knowledge and skills
- Advanced clinical practice throughout care continuum
- Delivery of evidence-based, high-quality services
- Opportunities for advocacy, teaching and mentorship
- Involvement in research or quality improvement projects
Covered clinical service areas (across inpatient, outpatient and day-hospital settings): general psychiatry, schizophrenia, adult and adolescent/young adult mood disorders, child and adolescence, geriatrics, motivated behaviors, pain treatment and eating disorders and exposure to the behavioral health occupational therapy-medical consult service.
Our Alumni's Achievements
- Improving clinical practice models in existing programs
- Achieving AOTA board certification in mental health
- Establishing innovative occupational therapy clinical programs
- Securing advanced and leadership therapy positions
- Presenting at local, state and national conferences
- Instructing mental health curriculum in higher education institutions
- Publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Fellowship Coordinator
Samantha Susson, MS, OTR/L
Email: [email protected]
Fellowship Alumni
Jess Nelson, OTD, OTR/L | Class of 2025
She/her
Undergraduate school: Saint Gregory's University, bachelor’s in humanities
Graduate school: The University of Texas Medical Branch, clinical doctorate in occupational therapy
Hometown: Lewisville, Texas
Professional interests: athlete mental health, preventative mental health care, policy/advocacy, research, academia
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program to challenge myself and to learn and grow as a clinician. As a healthcare worker, I believe it is my duty to strive for clinical excellence so I can provide the best care possible for my clients. The Johns Hopkins mental health OT fellowship will equipped me with the knowledge, skills and experience to better serve my clients.
What I like about Baltimore: I love all the bistro lighting around the city, the food and the rich history.
Grace Hart, OTR/L | Class of 2022
Graduate school: Lenoir-Rhyne University, master's in occupational therapy
Hometown: Dublin, Ohio
Professional interests: forensic psychiatry, occupational justice, pediatric mental health
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I was drawn to the fellowship for the opportunity to observe and practice in multiple service areas within the field of mental health occupational therapy and to increase my knowledge of assessment and treatment specific to each service area. I chose Johns Hopkins for the opportunity to develop my clinical knowledge and skillset as a therapist while learning from some of the best therapists in the field of mental health OT. The hospital's reputation for excellence in patient-centered care and for the development and use of evidence-based practice were additional aspects that led me to choose Johns Hopkins.
What I like about Baltimore: I love the parks in the city and running along the promenade by the water. Baltimore is a very walkable city and I love starting my morning with a walk to work and ending the day with a walk to dinner.
Katy Schmidt, OTD, OTR/L | Class of 2021
Graduate school: Belmont University, doctorate of occupational therapy
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Professional interests: chronic pain, substance use disorders, mental health in the criminal justice system, mental health in schools, evidence-based practice
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this fellowship at Johns Hopkins because it offers clinical experiences in a variety of psychiatric services at a world-renowned hospital. In addition, the program includes mentorship from multiple specialists in the field of mental health occupational therapy. This fellowship and its diverse assortment of educational opportunities will certainly support my professional goals of promoting mental wellness through clinical excellence, program development, research and education.
What I like about Baltimore: Baltimore has a vibrant culture, rich with history, architecture, art, music, and food. I love getting to know the unique characters of the various neighborhoods.
Samantha Susson, OTR/L | Class of 2020
Graduate school: Thomas Jefferson University, master’s in occupational therapy
Hometown: Voorhees Township, New Jersey
Professional interests: community-based practice for people with serious mental illnesses
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because of the ability to see multiple areas of psychiatry, and the way that assessment and intervention strategies differ based on someone’s diagnosis and the opportunity to be mentored by many clinicians who are working at the top of our field.
What I like about Baltimore: I love the pathway around the harbor where you can see the boats sailing on the water, and that there are so many great parks to be in nature both within the city and close by.
Kelsey Nicks, OTR/L | Class of 2019
Graduate school: California State University, Dominguez Hills; master's in occupational therapy
Hometown: Monterey, California
Professional interests: reducing the mental health stigma, children and adolescents, prevention and community-based mental health, advocacy for mental health/occupational therapy, program development
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because it is a leading innovator in the healthcare industry and I wanted to be a part of a team and organization that prioritizes client-centered care, evidenced-based practice and motivates me to be better. I was previously doing program development for a community-based facility as the only occupational therapist and I wanted to enhance, expand and solidify my knowledge and experience as an advanced occupational therapy mental health practitioner, thus I looked to Johns Hopkins to bridge the gaps in my professional endeavors. Furthermore, I was seeking mentorship as I strongly believe that surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals is a sure way to reach goals and challenge capabilities.
What I like about Baltimore: I have only been here three weeks, but when I visited I fell in love with the cobblestone roads, the historic and artsy feel, the down-to-earth people, and all the red brick!
Joanna Lackner, OTR/L | Class of 2018
Undergraduate school: University of Minnesota; bachelor’s in psychology
Graduate school: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, master's in occupational therapy
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Professional interests: affective disorders, pediatric mental health
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: This well-designed fellowship focuses on mentorship and excellence in evidence-based practice. The program provides a diverse collection of educational experiences, including opportunities to attend didactic lectures within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, advocate to further our profession at the state and national levels, and receive personalized mentorship throughout each of the eight service line rotations.
What I like about Baltimore: Baltimore is a city filled with history and culture — there’s always something to do in one of the city’s great neighborhoods. Baltimore is also within driving distance of many great destinations such as D.C., Philadelphia and the Eastern Shore.
Elizabeth Duggan, OTR/L | Class of 2017
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA; MOT in occupational therapy
Hometown: East Amherst, New York
Bobby Walsh, DBH, OTR/L, BCMH | Class of 2016
Fellowship Coordinator 2018 - 2025
Undergraduate school: The College of New Jersey, bachelor's in psychology
Graduate school: Thomas Jefferson University, master's in occupational therapy
Hometown: Toms River, NJ
Professional interests: integrated care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and underserved populations
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I sought enhanced mentorship focused on treating individuals with mental illness in the acute care setting. Having worked in areas as the sole therapist, the fellowship provided a valuable opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers. Johns Hopkins' renowned reputation and established expertise in mental health care made it an ideal choice for advancing my clinical skills. Additionally, the program's access to diverse patient populations and complex cases would provide invaluable exposure to a broad spectrum of mental health conditions and treatment approaches. This environment allowed me to exchange ideas, engage in mutual learning, and challenge myself to become a more skilled clinician.
What I like about Baltimore: The city has an incredible culinary scene, from the famous Maryland crabs to diverse options across neighborhoods. The manageable size makes everything feel accessible, so you can easily explore different areas. The waterfront provides a beautiful backdrop to city life, while the parks throughout the city offer perfect spots to relax.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Fellows are scheduled for 40 hours a week. We will try to accommodate your scheduling requests. There will also be independent study readings to be completed on your own time.
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Fellows are scheduled for an average of 17 hours a week of direct billable patient care during clinical modules.
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Fellows don't have to pay out of pocket for any didactic courses they attend at Johns Hopkins. In addition, you will get a stipend to cover some of the cost for CEU courses, local or national conferences, the amount of which will fluctuate based upon annual budget.
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Each clinical area maintains its own library of references for evidence-based practice and clinical protocols, patient education handouts and service-based learning packets. The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences also maintains a library of psychiatry journals and books, which are available to staff as needed. In addition, at least one clinical specialist is assigned to each area of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for mentoring and consultation related to clinical practice. This person maintains over 10 years of clinical experience and has demonstrated involvement and knowledge in research, quality improvement, clinical programming and evidence-based practice.
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The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation provides full access to all treatment areas, all assessment tools and treatment modalities/equipment therein for fellowship use. The psychiatric occupational therapy staff maintains a clinic space on the second floor of the Meyer Building, which includes an activities of daily living (ADL) area, an ADL bathroom, a kitchen, an outdoor patio and space for individual and group treatments. The psychiatric units are also utilized for therapy services and each has a day room, activity room, some treatment space, full kitchen and tub/shower rooms.
