Zachary Schafer, MS, OTR/L

Zack is an occupational therapist (OT) who specializes in helping individuals overcome mental health challenges so they can lead meaningful, engaged lives. He earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from Sacred Heart University (SHU) in 2015, received his master’s in occupational therapy from SHU in 2018, and then continued his post-professional education by enrolling in the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill’s OT Mental Health Fellowship program. During his time at UNC, Zack published clinical research, taught at the university, and provided clinical care across UNC Hospital’s inpatient psychiatry units.

As an OT, Zack is passionate about how engagement in meaningful daily activities can facilitate growth and overall well-being. Seeking a more holistic treatment environment and excited to expand the role of OT in mental health care, Zack joined the Mountain Valley team in 2021 as the program’s first-ever occupational therapist. Since then, he has received intensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy and has held various leadership roles focused on enhancing Mountain Valley’s direct care and therapeutic programming. In the summer of 2024, Zack was appointed executive director, overseeing all aspects of the program’s day-to-day operations.

Originally a Massachusetts native, Zack now lives in Lebanon, NH, with his wife Kevi and their son, Micah. Zack and Kevi are both occupational therapists who fell in love while working together at UNC, helping others heal. A former collegiate athlete, Zack enjoys pushing his physical limits through yoga, hiking, running, and weight training. When he isn’t buzzing about, he enjoys reading, reflecting, and spending time in nature.