Catherine Cavaliere, Ph.D., OTR/L

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy; Coordinator of Research

Education:

Ph.D., Health Sciences, Seton Hall University – 2011
Post Baccalaureate Certificate in O.T., Quinnipiac University – 1997
B.A. Philosophy, Catholic University – 1993

About Dr. Cavaliere:

Dr. Cavaliere has been a practicing clinician for over 20 years, with 15 years working in pediatrics. She has worked in early intervention, schools, and private practice. Dr. Cavaliere received her Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Seton Hall University in early 2011. Her doctoral work used Polyvagal Theory to guide her investigation of the physiologic components of sensory processing and the differences in heart rate variability in response to sensation in children with autism and typically developing children. Dr. Cavaliere’s ongoing research interests focus on sensory health, trauma-responsive practices, and mental health promotion. Clinically, In 2014, she opened her private practice where she serves children and adolescents with sensory processing disorders and their families. In addition, Dr. Cavaliere has lectured extensively to various audiences, including scholars, colleagues, teachers, and parents, on sensory processing and related topics

Dr. Cavaliere serves on the Institutional Review Board and the Faculty Affairs Committee at the College and is the faculty mentor for the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon, Occupational Therapy’s National Honor Society. In 2021, Dr. Cavaliere partnered with the Retention and Student Success department at Dominican University to aid their efforts to support student academic and life success. The Take Charge! Program is designed as an occupation-based mentoring model run by Dr. Cavaliere and Level 2 fieldwork students to provide additional facilitation of success to undergraduate students at risk for academic failure.

Courses taught:

Research in Occupational Therapy
Research Symposium
Adolescence in O.T. Practice

Most recent scholarship:

Publications:

Champagne, T. & Cavaliere, C. (2021) Mental health promotion in children and youth. In Pizzi, M., Amir, M. (Eds.). (In press). Interprofessional perspectives on community practice: Promoting health, well-being and quality of life. SLACK.

Damiao, J.& Cavaliere, C. (2021). The relationship between smartphone addiction and academic performance in college students. Global Journal of Health Sciences, 13(9), 10-15. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v13n9p10

Cavaliere, C. (2020). Sensory Health: Expanding Our Thinking about Sensory
Processing. World Journal of Yoga, Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation,2(3). WJYPR.MS.ID.000540.

Invited Presentations:

Take Charge! Supporting the success of diverse students in higher education
New York State Occupational Therapy Association Conference (November 2021)

Sensory Health: The missing piece in the wellness conversation (Webinar)
OccupationalTherapy.com (August 2021)

The Impact of Sensory Health on Well-being
New York State Occupational Therapy Association Conference (November 2020)

Poster presentations at the Annual New York State Occupational Therapy Association Conference – November 2021:

The Efficacy of Early Intervention for Goal Achievement in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparative Study Across Settings
Nadia Rust OTD, OTR/;, Catherine Cavaliere PHD, OTR/L John Damiao, PhD, OTR/L; Vanessa Ezemadu, Nadine Distefano, Stephanie Gerard, Enxhi Lapaj, Kara Petrosky, and Emely Tavarez
Dominican University of Blauvelt-Department of Occupational Therapy

Development and validation of a new sensory health measure: Sensory Health Awareness and Responsiveness Profile
Catherine Cavaliere, Ph.D., OTR/L, John Damaio, Ph.D., OTR/L, Victoria Schulze, COTA, OTS, Gabrielle Cocca, OTS, Katarina Soares, OTS

Health, Well-being, and Quality of Life Following COVID-19: A Mixed Methods Study
Michael Pizzi, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Catherine Cavaliere, Ph.D., OTR/L; John Damiao, Ph.D., OTR/L; Angela Butler, OTS; Lindsey Curtin, OTS; Lia Fau, OTS; Chris Gray, OTS; and Nicole Weick OTS

Posters accepted for presentation at the 2022 Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference- March/April 2022:

The Impact of Sensory Processing Preferences on First-Year College Students Success
Catherine Cavaliere, PhD, OTR/L; John Damiao, PhD, OTR/L; Katherine Nelson, OTS, Olivia Brehmer, OTS, Stephanie Brosnan, OTS, Lauren Constenla, OTS, & Matthew Schurman, OTS

Health, Well-being, and Quality of Life Following COVID-19: A Mixed Methods Study
Michael Pizzi, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA; Catherine Cavaliere, Ph.D., OTR/L; John Damiao, Ph.D., OTR/L; Angela Butler, OTS; Lindsey Curtin, OTS; Lia Fau, OTS; Chris Gray, OTS; and Nicole Weick OTS

Development and validation of a new sensory health measure: Sensory Health Awareness and Responsiveness Profile
Catherine Cavaliere, Ph.D., OTR/L, John Damaio, Ph.D., OTR/L, Victoria Schulze, COTA, OTS, Gabrielle Cocca, OTS, Katarina Soares, OTS

Other:

Proposal Reviewer for the American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference 2020, 2021

Let’s talk Sensory Health with Dr. Cavaliere
The Innovative O.T. podcast – Episode 7 (January 2020)