Member Spotlight: Isabel Evola, OTR/L

ISABEL EVOLA, OTR/L

The Path to Mental Health Advocacy 

Isabel began her academic journey at Michigan State University, earning an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. Her fascination with how movement impacts health naturally drew her to the pre-OT club. After graduating, she gained hands-on experience as a behavioral health technician working with children on the autism spectrum. While she appreciated the work, she realized she wanted to support individuals beyond purely behavioral modifications, which led her to apply to Western Michigan University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. This professional drive was deeply personalized by the tragic loss of her sister solidifying her commitment to holistic mental health care. 

Finding Meaning in Daily Wins

Throughout her clinical experiences, including her fieldwork in the inpatient and partial hospitalization programs at Holland Hospital, Isabel learned the profound value of celebrating small, daily successes. She recalls working with a non-verbal child who had a breakthrough verbally ask his mother for an apple as a deeply defining moment. Later at Holland Hospital, an inpatient client struggling heavily with daily routines proudly shared that she had brushed her teeth for the first time in two weeks. For Isabel, helping a client ground themselves through mindfulness and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to tackle these routine daily tasks is the most rewarding aspect of the profession. 

Capstone Work and Advocacy

Her dedication culminated in an impactful doctoral capstone project with MiOTA’s Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS), working under the mentorship of section leader Susan Frisbie. Isabel's capstone produced four evidence-based resources mapping out mental health interventions across the lifespan, including yoga for youth, mindfulness for adults, and the therapeutic use of music or Qigong for older adults. They are now hosted in the MiOTA resource library.  Beyond creating clinical resources, Isabel initiated early-stage legislative advocacy. She performed a deep dive into states like Nebraska to see how they successfully updated their scope of practice language. She is now preparing a survey to analyze language discrepancies in Michigan’s public health code to determine if it impacts OT reimbursement and representation in mental health facilities. 

Looking Forward

Isabel’s natural strength lies in fostering connection and community. She served as the president of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA). As a recent graduate entering the field, Isabel remains highly active within the MiOTA Mental Health SIS, organizing educational webinars and pushing for systemic change. Her advice to fellow clinicians and students is simple: get involved with MiOTA and actively collaborate to establish the legitimacy and vital importance of mental health OT. She encourages everyone to come to the Annual conference. She says, “students will have the opportunity to learn from clinicians. And if you're already a clinician, attending these meetings can help you grow”.