E41: SMI and Cognitive Enhancement

In this episode, we welcomed Sargent Professor Susan McGurk. She introduced her work at the BU Sargent’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, where she focuses on using cognitive enhancement to aid people with mental illness in the workplace. About Professor McGurk: Susan R. McGurk, Ph.D. ([email protected]), a neuropsychologist, is Professor of Occupational Therapy and a member of the Center of Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University. Her research has addressed the role of illness-related cognitive impairments in employment outcomes in persons with severe mental illness. McGurk and colleagues have developed the Thinking Skills for Work Program, a multi-component cognitive remediation program combining computer practice of cognitive skills and the teaching of self-management strategies in order to optimize cognitive and work functioning in persons receiving vocational rehabilitation services. The moderator of the podcast is Dr. Karen Jacobs ([email protected]), who is the Associate Dean, Digital Learning and Innovation, a Clinical Professor and the Program Director for the on-line post-professional doctorate in the occupational therapy program at Sargent College. Marial Williams ([email protected]), a Boston University entry-level occupational therapy doctoral student, composed the music for the podcast.