Sleep, Mental Health, and OT

Amanda L. Carroll, PhD, OTR/L, is an experienced occupational therapist, educator, and PhD trained occupational scientist dedicated to advancing the field of occupational therapy through teaching, research, and community engagement. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Montana’s inaugural Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program.

She earned her Master of Science degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012, and her PhD in Occupational Science also from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2021. She has practiced in both geriatrics, pediatrics, and mental health for over a decade in a variety of settings including travel therapy, skilled nursing, home health, and private practice. She is currently a member of AOTA and serves on the Research Committee for the Society for the Study of Occupation. She is also the co-owner and co-founder of Well-Rested Therapy, LLC a private community-based OT practice that provides occupational therapy services focused on helping people get a better night’s sleep so they feel well-rested and can participate in the activities they love. ​ ​

Amanda’s research focuses on the intersection of occupation, mental health, and social determinants of health, with a particular interest in veteran populations, sleep interventions, and rural health disparities. Her work has explored topics such as resilience in older veterans, the role of sleep in shaping veterans’ mental well-being, and the impact of military service on long-term health outcomes. She has been awarded multiple research grants to investigate sleep interventions for veterans, contributing to the development of population-level occupational therapy solutions. Through her leadership, teaching, and research, Amanda is committed to shaping the future of occupational therapy by addressing real-world challenges and promoting occupational justice.

She is originally from North Carolina, and is a proud Tarheel. Growing up in North Carolina, she has always been surrounded by military culture and many of her family members are veterans. Her favorite occupations are spending time with her cats, trying out new recipes, reading historical and fantasy novels, cycling on her Peloton, and spending time in nature with her husband Philip, who is also and OT and professor.

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L, is the CEO of OT Potential. Sarah earned her BA from St. Olaf College and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University. Her diverse clinical background spans multiple settings, including critical access, acute trauma, and state inpatient psychiatric hospitals. In 2011, she founded OT Potential to fulfill the industry's need for reliable, high-quality occupational therapy resources and continuing education.

As a recognized content creator, Sarah has collaborated with top healthcare brands like VeryWell Health, WebPT, and MedBridge. She blends her clinical expertise with a talent for creating clear, action-oriented content that empowers practitioners to excel. Passionate about elevating the OT profession, she has been featured on numerous industry podcasts. Sarah ultimately returned to her roots, running OT Potential and raising her family in her hometown of Aurora, Nebraska.