Occupational Therapy is Now Offered at SUH!
Did you know we are now offering Occupational Therapy here at Straight Up Health? With such exciting news, we asked our Occupational Therapist, Rose, some questions about what exactly is Occupational Therapy and how it differentiates from other kinds of therapy. Keep reading to find out!
Q. What is occupational therapy in your own words?
A. Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that works with individuals who are experiencing physical and/or mental health challenges. The goal of therapy is to help individuals overcome barriers and engage in daily activities that feel meaningful to them with the overarching goal of improving overall well-being. Occupational therapists work from a holistic perspective, understanding that each person comes from a unique set of circumstances, value systems, and beliefs. The therapy is client-centered, so they work in a way that is tailored towards each individual's unique needs.
Q. Why is occupational therapy important?
A. Occupational therapy is important because it aims to understand the person/client in the context of their life. This means that the therapist will be interested in learning about the client's whole story in order to provide them with individualized care that feels meaningful and helpful for their specific goals.
Q. What do you think differentiates occupational therapy from other types of therapy?
A. In mental health, occupational therapists actually work in similar ways to other types of therapists! A unique part of occupational therapy is that it is goal-oriented and focuses on overall functioning. This means that, as well as engaging in psychotherapy, an occupational therapist might also help address the question that often pops up: "now what?". Occupational therapists will work collaboratively with the client to develop realistic and manageable goals, which might help the client feel more in-control, motivated, and hopeful.
Take a look at the diagram below to understand what differentiates an occupational therapists from other mental health therapists.
Q. What are the benefits of occupational therapy?
A. Occupational therapy can help clients to develop a "tool kit" full of strategies and skills that that client can carry with them throughout their life. Another benefit of occupational therapy is to develop insight into the self and to learn about certain behaviours and thoughts that may be arising. Finally, occupational therapists can work with clients using a variety of modalities to build self-esteem, develop coping mechanisms, improve communication and social skills, and decrease anxiety and improve mood.
In summary, therapists focus on mental health issues, while Occupational Therapists focus on physical, cognitive, and developmental challenges that impact daily life activities.