Occupational Therapist Creates Community Through Connection
Natalie Centers, an OTR from Ohio, has empowered hundreds of adults with mental illness to regain independence, build community, and reengage in meaningful daily life.
Natalie Centers, MOT, OTR/L
Director, Queen City Clubhouse
Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Cincinnati & Xavier University
Location: Ohio
Certified in 2015
A Vision for Empowerment
When Natalie Centers opened Queen City Clubhouse in 2022, she was launching more than a program; she was reimagining what recovery could look like for adults living with mental illness. Through Natalie’s leadership, the Clubhouse welcomed over 200 members within its first year, and it is now a vital community hub rooted in empowerment, purpose, and client-centered care.
Queen City Clubhouse operates on the international Clubhouse Model, a rehabilitation approach to mental illness recovery that replaces clinical hierarchy with a collaborative work-ordered day. Clients, who are referred to as members, and staff work side-by-side to manage daily Clubhouse operations, from preparing meals and planning outings to writing newsletters and answering phones. The goal is simple but profound: build life skills and confidence through shared, meaningful activity.
Natalie works to ensure that all members engage in Clubhouse tasks that have meaning to them, leading to active engagement and a sense of responsibility and ownership. Because of Natalie’s dedication to the people she serves, members have purpose, pride, and confidence to manage their everyday lives more independently.
One Clubhouse member shares:
“I was barely functioning when I met Natalie Centers. I was immobile on my sofa or in and out of psychiatric hospitals. … Natalie has transformed my life in every way. She gave me a meaningful life filled with joy and purpose. I wake up every day excited. … I feel empowered. We make decisions together at the Clubhouse. There is no power from the top down here. Natalie works side-by-side with members like me to run the Clubhouse. In this model, an outsider cannot distinguish between who is staff and who are members. … I get to choose how often I go and how much I participate. I love it so much that I am usually there all five days of the week it is open.”
Betsy F.
Clubhouse member
Meaningful Work and Support With Accountability
Natalie brings OT to life through what she calls “support with accountability.” She takes the time to learn about and work with each member to help them identify their goals and determine how to reach them. In this collaborative process, she provides enough support to foster member accountability, leading to increased independence and engagement in meaningful occupations. Natalie meets members where they are by grading tasks, adjusting engagement strategies, and setting realistic expectations to suit each client’s current abilities and skillset. Her approach enables participation at all levels of functioning and stages of recovery.
One Clubhouse member recalls their initial visits to the Clubhouse, where Natalie worked with them on rolling silverware in napkins for group lunches: “Soon, I realized that I was looking forward to doing it by myself. I felt proud during lunchtime when everyone had silverware, thanks to me!” With Natalie’s guidance, this same member now grocery shops independently, participates in group meal-planning, plans monthly Clubhouse outings, co-writes grant applications for the Clubhouse, and much more. “So not only am I functioning, but I am flourishing, thanks to Natalie.”
Natalie is a constant advocate for her clients even beyond the Clubhouse walls. She is committed to the success of the members she serves and works with them to overcome barriers in their recovery. For example, when a member received an eviction notice, she worked with the member and their landlord to create a supportive plan. This helped resolve the landlord’s concerns and allowed the member to keep their housing.
Natalie’s work has transformed the lives of Clubhouse members through her dedication to them, their story, and their goals. Her leadership has been instrumental in creating an environment where members can connect and develop real-world skills in a supportive and inclusive space. Her approach honors each member’s current abilities while creating opportunities to grow.
“Natalie embodies what it means to be an occupational therapist. … [She] has changed the lives of so many members. Members know that Natalie will show up for them, even on their bad days. … Natalie engages in interprofessional collaboration to advocate for members and work as a team to best support them. She also advocates for members on a larger level—from landlords to insurance companies to elected officials. … I have watched members go from surviving to thriving time and time again.”
Hallie Foy, OTR/L
Natalie's colleague & award nominator
Expanding the Role of OT in Mental Health
Natalie has elevated the visibility of OT in a healthcare landscape that is often dominated by other disciplines. She advocates for OT as essential in mental health care, modeling how meaningful occupation can foster healing, resilience, and hope.
Natalie impacts future practitioners by facilitating real-world learning opportunities and weaving recovery-oriented principles into education during fieldwork mentorship and teaching roles as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. She also serves as chair of the Mental Health Special Interest Section with the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association.
A Lasting Impact
Through her work at Queen City Clubhouse and beyond, Natalie has helped hundreds of individuals find stability, connection, and meaning. Clubhouse members credit their growth to her steady encouragement and belief in their potential. Natalie is a partner in each member’s journey. And for many, her presence marks the turning point between simply getting by and beginning to thrive.
