Catherine Rose Talastas
Written by Lil Crump
MScOS graduate, Catherine Rose Talastas (Supervisor - Dr. Parisa Ghanouni).
Catherine’s experience as an occupational therapist helped her appreciate the value of occupation. The uniqueness of the experience and the meaning of doing occupation, was of particular interest to her. Even though an occupation can be similar, it can be experienced differently because the difference among people. Catherine chose to pursue a Master of Science in Occupational Science (MScOS) to develop skills that would help her unravel the intricacies of occupation.
Community Benefit
Catherine is presently studying about occupational engagement of post-secondary students self-identified with anxiety and/or depression during the pandemic. “I want to explore their experiences of doing occupation and the changes that have transpired due to the pandemic. The perceived value and consequences of occupation are important since these provide data beyond the observable component of doing occupation.” Catherine believes that insights into understanding of an individual’s experiences and their interpretation of those experiences, will contribute to the development of adequate and appropriate resources and support for the population.
Catherine’s work focuses on both the objective and subjective component of doing. Her objective is the physical observable act of doing or “what we see" while the subjective involves the value, meaning and interpretation of participating in an occupation or “what we feel/perceive”.
Dalhousie’s MScOS program impressed upon Catherine that “studying occupation can be done by anyone and should not only be a focus of occupational therapists.” Catherine also cited the program as highlighting for her the importance of interdisciplinary learning, “The perspectives of different disciplines are important in determining the different facets which lead to a more holistic understanding of the occupation."
Why consider the MScOS Program?
For anyone considering enrolling in MScOS program Catherine offers, “Studying occupations is a bridge to understanding and appreciating people.” Catherine believes it’s time to value occupation and understand how it impacts one’s health and wellness. Studying occupations provides a gateway to understanding and appreciating the distinctness of every individual. “It may be close to impossible to have a complete understanding of someone,” Catherine admits, “but it is possible to be close to reaching a level of understanding enough that manifests respect and acknowledgment of the diversity among people and their experiences.”