Barbara E. Thompson, OTD, LCSW, OTR/L

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

The Sage Colleges Barb Web
45 Ferry Street
Troy, NY 12180

Member of The Sage Colleges Faculty since 1998

Office: Troy Campus, Ricketts Hall Room 313

Phone: 244-3112

Email: thompb@capital.net

Educational Background

  • 2008, Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Creighton University, Nebraska
  • 2003, CAGS, Expressive Arts, European Graduate School, Leuk-Stadt, Switzerland
  • 1996, MSW, Department of Social Welfare, State University of New York, Albany
  • 1975, BS, Occupational Therapy, University of Florida

Current Teaching Responsibilities

  • OTH-515 Occupational Performance in Adulthood
  • OTH-515L Occupational Performance in Adulthood
  • OTH-609 Psychosocial Assessment and Intervention
  • OTH-609L Psychosocial Assessment and Intervention Lab

Research Interests

  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction and chronic illness
  • The concept of spirituality in occupational therapy practice and education
  • Community-based services for veterans
  • Narrative medicine
  • The expressive arts and art-based approaches in clinical practice and educational settings

Professional Activities

  • Advisory Board Member: Still Forest Pool Center for Mindfulness
  • Member: American Occupational Therapy Association
  • Member: National Association of Social Workers
  • Member: New York State Occupational Therapy Association

Selected Scholarly Activities

Thompson, B. (2009). Mindfulness based stress reduction for people with chronic conditions. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(9),405-410.

Thompson, B., Murphy, M, & Toms, M.E. (2009). Hospice care. In H. Mitsumoto (Ed.), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A comprehensive guide to management (3rd ed.) New York: Demos Medical Publications.

Romanoff, B. & Thompson, B. (2007). Narrative approaches in end-of-life care. American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 7(4), 1-2.

Romanoff, B. & Thompson, B. (2006). Meaning construction in palliative care: The use of narrative, rItual and the expressive arts. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine, 23(4), 309-316.

Thompson, B., & MacNeil, C. (2006). A phenomenological study exploring the meaning of a graduate seminar on spirituality for occupational therapy students. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(5), 531-539.

Thompson, B. (2006). Advanced directives: Ethical issues in practice. AOTA Continuiing Education Workshop, The Sage Colleges, Troy, NY.

Thompson, B. & Romanoff, B. (2004). The experience of grief: Recreating meaning through the arts and ritual. Naropa University, First Annual Conference on Integrating Spirit and Caregiving. Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY.

Thompson, B. (2003, April June). Expressive arts and the experience of loss. The Forum: Association for Death Education and Counseling, 29(2), 1-3.

Thompson, B., & Murphy, N.M. (2001). Hospice. In H. Mitsumoto & F. Norris (Eds.), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A comprehensive guide to management (2nd ed). NY: Demos Medical Publications.

Jacques, N.D. & Thompson, B. (2001). Occupational therapy. In The National Hospice Association, Allied Therapists Resource Handbook. Arlington, VA: National Hospice Organization.

Thompson, B. (2001). Death education for occupational therapists. New York State Occupational Therapy Association Conference. Albany, NY.

Thompson, B. (1994). The clinical and psychosocial cycles of ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association Leadership Conference. Washington, DC.

Thompson, B. (1994). Issues in caring for the patient with ALS. New York StateHospice Association Annual Conference. NYC, NY.

Thompson, B. (1993). ALS: A combined rehabilitation and hospice approach. New York StateOccupational Therapy Association Conference. Albany, NY.

Thompson, B. (1991). An interdisciplinary hospice team approach to management of ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis International Conference. Cleveland, OH.

Thompson, B. (1990). Informed choice and patient autonomy. New York StateHospice Association Conference. NYC, NY.

Thompson, B. (1991). Occupational therapy with the terminally ill. In J. Kiernat (Ed.), Occupational therapy for the older adult. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen.

Thompson, B. (l990). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Integrating care for patients and their families. The American Journal of Hospice Care, 3 (7), 27-3l.

Thompson, B. (l990). Hospice day care. The American Journal of Hospice Care, 7, 28-30.

Lund, N., Pizzi, M., Tigges, K., Thompson, B. & Evans, A. (l987). AOTA Hospice Task Force: Guidelines for occupational therapy services in hospice. Gaithersburg,MD: AOTA.

Thompson, B. (l986). The role of the occupational therapist in hospice. National Hospice Association Annual Meeting and Symposium. Denver, CO.

Thompson, B. (l985). Hospice day care: Filling the gaps. National Hospice Association Annual Meeting and Symposium. Washington, DC.

Other Professional Activities:

  • 2008 Grant Co-author: Community reintegration for Renssalear County veterans: A demonstration project. Awarded a $12,000 grant by the Louis and Hortense Rubin Community Fellows Program.
  • Private psychotherapy practice, 1998-present.

Sage Committees and Service

  • Provide meditation instruction for The Sage Colleges Meditation Group.
  • Participate in academic advisement for graduate level students.
  • Active member of the Faculty Affairs Committee and the Sage Spirituality Committee.
  • Participate in faculty work groups, program and curricular development, accreditation preparation, and student recruitment and retention.