Bio

Nuriya (Nuri) Hefron, MS, OTR/L (she/her), is a licensed occupational therapist with expertise in program management and expansion within early psychosis care.

She is passionate about integrating holistic, recovery-oriented approaches that emphasize meaningful daily engagement and applying a social justice framework to foster trauma-informed connections and service delivery. Committed to systems change and adaptive practices, Nuri prioritizes understanding and addressing the diverse needs of service users, especially those from marginalized groups.

Her work seeks to expand access, foster resilience, and promote inclusion in early psychosis care, ensuring teams broaden pathways to meet the needs of all communities.

Current Role at Stanford

Program Manager INSPIRE 360
Expansion of Early Psychosis Care Program

Personal Interests

LGBTQIA+ health and advocacy
Health equity and access
Psychosocial rehabilitation for individuals with psychosis
Sensory integration and cognitive interventions
Client-centered research to enhance quality of care, health, and wellness

Contact

  • Work
    nuriya.hefron@stanford.edu
    University - Staff Department: Psych/Public Mental Health & Population Sciences Position: Training & Technical Assistance Manager

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 5719

All Publications

  • Novel Occupational Therapy Program (Step Up) to Facilitate the Transition from Early Intervention in Psychosis Services. Community mental health journal Thomas, E. C., Hefron, N., Zagorac, S., Hewlett, A., Wenzel, R. M., Kramer, I., Walker, L., Read, H. 2024

    Abstract

    The purpose of this program evaluation was to examine preliminary outcomes associated with a novel stepdown program for clients of early intervention in psychosis services ("Step Up") that featured occupational therapy (OT) as a critical treatment component. Clients participated in Step Up for at least 6 months and were administered pre-post assessments of clinician-rated performance of daily living activities and self-perceived performance and satisfaction with daily occupational functioning. Paired samples Wilcoxon tests were used to compare outcomes across the two time points. Data from 23 participants of Step Up were analyzed. Clinician-rated performance of daily living (especially in the areas of money and time management and leisure engagement) and client-rated performance and satisfaction with daily occupational functioning improved significantly over time. Results demonstrate the promise of programs such as Step Up that capitalize on OT and promote functional outcomes during the transition from early intervention.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10597-024-01324-0

    View details for PubMedID 39052105

    View details for PubMedCentralID 8129860

  • Occupational Therapy: A Potential Solution to the Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) Read, H., Zagorac, S., Neumann, N., Kramer, I., Walker, L., Thomas, E. 2024; 75 (7): 703-705

    Abstract

    Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are clinically prepared to treat patients with behavioral health conditions. Yet, many state and national policies defining qualified behavioral health providers do not include occupational therapy. In this Open Forum, the authors argue that OTPs should be considered qualified to work as behavioral health professionals, especially given the severe behavioral health workforce shortage in the United States. The authors summarize policy barriers preventing OTPs from working on behavioral health teams and the evidence to support their presence. They also propose a policy and advocacy agenda to include and recognize OTPs as members of the behavioral health workforce.

    View details for DOI 10.1176/appi.ps.20230298

    View details for PubMedID 38321919

  • Implementation of occupational therapy within early intervention in psychosis services: Results from a national survey. Early intervention in psychiatry Thomas, E. C., Read, H., Neumann, N., Zagorac, S., Taylor, C., Kramer, I., Fisher, R. M., De Angelis, T. 2023; 17 (7): 652-661

    Abstract

    Occupational therapy plays an important role in fostering community participation in areas such as education, employment, leisure, and social relationships, yet its added value within early intervention in psychosis services, especially in the United States, remains poorly understood. The purpose of this research was to conduct a national survey of early intervention in psychosis programs to: (1) understand the role and unique contributions of occupational therapists to early intervention teams, and (2) identify barriers and supports to the implementation of occupational therapy services within these programs.Fifty-one senior leaders from U.S.-based early intervention in psychosis programs participated in the national survey. The survey consisted of a series of closed and open-ended questions related to program staffing, the presence of specific services that fall within the occupational therapy scope of practice, and implementation barriers and supports.Despite there being strong interest in employing occupational therapists, a small proportion of programs (31%) reported having them on staff. Occupational therapists supported clients across multiple life areas and were significantly more likely than other team members to promote daily living activities (e.g., cooking) and to address sensory processing needs and challenges. Implementation was influenced by environmental/organizational and staff factors; the primary barrier was funding.Findings support the role occupational therapists may play in facilitating the community participation of clients of early intervention services, but significant barriers to implementation of occupational therapy services remain. Additional research is needed to further identify the impact of occupational therapy services within the early intervention model.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/eip.13359

    View details for PubMedID 36192371