What actually happens during occupational therapy with you?

People have so many questions about occupational therapy. Here are some of the big ones with short answers:

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Question: What is occupational therapy?

Answer: It is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do. I work with people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better lives. (AOTA, 2020)

Question: Are you going to help me find a job?

Answer: Maybe, if that's something that you want to do.

Question: Don't OT's focus on hands?

Answer: Some OT's do focus on upper extremity rehabilitation. However, that is not my specialty. I focus on a person's whole self....their physiology, mental health, and social systems.

Question: Is my kid going to have fun?

Answer: I hope so.

Question: Can we talk about things that may be sensitive, embarrassing or taboo?

Answer: Absolutely. We can work together to improve any area of your life.

Question: What are some of the "typical" things you work on with your clients?

Answer: With children, I mostly help them improve their relationships with peers, siblings and parents and meet their developmental milestones to participate in school, home and play activities. With parents, I work with them to find strategies to help their children be happier and healthier. With adults, I use activity-based strategies to help them modify their lifestyle to increase productivity and improve their health and well-being.

Question: What are some "real issues" affecting people day-to-day that you may work on?

Answer: Kids who are really picky eaters, or have horrible tantrums, or experience sleep issues that affect the whole family, or who just won't focus on their school work at home. Adults who are finding it challenging to balance their life roles, or who may experience stress related to COVID-19 and change of routine, or who want to develop healthier habits surrounding eating, sleep, and physical activity.

Question: How many sessions do you recommend?

Answer: It depends on the strengths and needs of the client. I generally recommend starting with four weekly sessions and then suggesting more space between sessions so the client can work independently on some of the skills established during our time together.

Question: I'm not sure whether or not occupational therapy is the right fit for me. How do I find out?

Answer: Give me a call or send me an email and we can set up a 20 minute complimentary session to decide together if OT is a good fit for you and/or your child. I look forward to chatting about it with you.