Dr. Garcia’s occupational roles include: Mother, Partner, Daughter, Friend, Sister, Educator, Mentor, Occupational Therapist, Knitter, Yogi, Reiki Master Teacher, and Spiritual Seeker.

Dr. Garcia began her occupational therapy career after graduating from Elizabethtown College in 1999, with the majority of her clinical and managerial experience in outpatient upper extremity rehabilitation here in Monmouth County. In 2005, Dr. Garcia graduated from Rutgers University with her Master’s Degree in Social Work, which she sought to achieve to improve her counseling and educational skills with clients and families. Her children Liv and Ian were born in 2006 and 2009. 

Dr. Garcia has always valued hard work and education and returned to school to earn her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas in 2018. Her capstone and scholarship focused on holistic and integrative health approaches related to upper extremity rehabilitation. 

Dr. Garcia joined Monmouth University in June 2020 and is excited to work in the entry-level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program.

In her leisure time, Dr. Garcia is an avid knitter and finds joy in discovering local shops to collect yarn, particularly when she travels. She is also a yogi, practicing consistently each week as it provides an opportunity not solely for exercise, but also to stay connected to Self. Dr. Garcia practices Reiki as a Master Teacher and is called to this practice as a healer, bringing light and loving energy to her community. She enjoys living at the beach and running along the boardwalk.  Finally, as a mother, Dr. Garcia is often found in her jeep, driving her kids to activities, supporting them and rooting for them in every step of their journeys.

Education

Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, The University of Kansas

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Rutgers University

Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy, Elizabethtown College

Research Interests

Current Research and Scholarship Interests:

• Holistic and integrative health approaches
• Evidence-based teaching methodology
• Student resilience

Grant Support:
Brooklyn Home: $10,000 awarded to Occupational Therapy Department at Monmouth University for the Monmouth University Collaborative on Aging (MUCoA).

Scholarly Articles

Publications and Peer Reviewed Presentations:

Garcia, A. L. (2021). The anatomy of pain: Will the circle be unbroken? In S. E. Roberts (Ed.) Everyday upper extremity anatomy: A clinical guide, reference, and interactive workbook (2nd ed.). Denoyer Geppert and Hand in Mind.

Roberts, S. E., & Garcia, A. L. (2021). Neuronal injury and recovery: Degeneration, regeneration, and the spaces between. In S. E. Roberts (Ed.) Everyday upper extremity anatomy: A clinical guide, reference, and interactive workbook (2nd ed.). Denoyer Geppert and Hand in Mind.

Garcia, A. L. (2020, October). Putting pieces in place: The graduate jigsaw classroom.  American Occupational Therapy Association Education Summit (virtual).

Guidice, M., & Garcia, A. L. (2020, April 1). Implications of the use of acupuncture in occupational therapy reflection.  New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association Newsletter, 5(2).

Garcia, A. L. (2019). Psychosocial aspects of impairment. In S. Weiss & L. C. Rogers (Eds.) Hand & upper extremity rehabilitation: A quick reference guide & review (4^th ed.).  St. Petersburg FL: Exploring Hand Therapy.

Garcia, A. L. (2019). Holistic upper extremity care (Appendix). In S. Weiss & L. C. Rogers (Eds.) Hand & upper extremity rehabilitation: A quick reference guide & review (4^th ed.).  St. Petersburg FL: Exploring Hand Therapy.

Garcia, A. L. (2019, April). Improving competence and carryover of evidence-based interventions: Program evaluation of a group skills lab in outpatient hand therapy.  American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference (New Orleans, LA).

Garcia, A. L. (2018, April). Occupational therapy: A key profession in integrative healthcare.  American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference (Salt Lake City, UT).

Garcia, A. L. (2018). Holistic approach to upper extremity rehabilitation [Webinar]. Exploring Hand Therapy: www.liveconferences.com

Garcia, A. L., & Stern, B. Z. (2016, April). The hidden factor: Applying psychosocial principles to upper extremity rehabilitation.  American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference (Chicago, IL).

Professional Associations

Professional Activities and Memberships/Certifications:

Member,          American Occupational Therapy Association

Member,          New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association

Member,          Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity

Member,          Acupuncturists Without Borders

Member,          Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Licensee,          New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Occupational Therapy Council

Certified,          Holistic and Integrative Health

Certified,          Soft Tissue Cupping

Certified,          Physical Agent Modalities

Awards

Awards and Honors:

2018     Recipient, New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association “mOTivator”        

2017     Inductee, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

2015     Recipient, Kitty Reed Occupational Therapy Scholarship