#85: OT and Interoception with Kelly Mahler

Interoception is having a moment. 

The popularity of the 8th sense is likely due to the fact that it gives words to sensations that we all experience, like: hunger, fatigue, heart rate, and pain.

But, even though these sensations seem universal the reality is that there are vast differences in how and to what degree we experience the components of interoception. We are beginning to be able to correlate brain-level differences with different experiences of interoception. 

And, what’s really interesting is how these differences impact emotional regulation. 

And, what’s really, really interesting is that research is showing that interoception can be improved. And, there seems to be a correlation improvement with emotional regulation….(without ever working explicitly on emotional regulation.)

In this 1 hour CEU course, we’ll look at a school based program that does just that: improves interoception and emotional regulation. 

After we review the article, we’ll welcome to the podcast Kelly Mahler, the lead author of the paper and one of the pioneers of researching the practical implication of interoception for OTs and other health professionals.

Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/kelly-mahler

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-interoception

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
An interoception- based intervention for improving emotional regulation in children in a special education classroom: Feasibility study.