Occupational Therapy for adults
In this blog, Occupational Therapist Rashika Singh shares her expertise on how occupational therapy works for adults, improving mental health and wellbeing.
Occupational therapy (OT) plays a major role in adult mental health, offering a wide range of interventions, individually designed for each client. This type of treatment focuses on enhancing functioning in daily tasks, promoting meaningful engagement, and increasing independence, to empower people to have optimal quality of life.
At the core of OT is the belief that engaging in meaningful activities and occupations is essential to a person’s wellbeing.
What’s involved in Occupational Therapy?
There are usually five areas of focus in occupational therapy, which are tailored to the needs of the individual.
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Assessment and goal setting:
Occupational Therapists begin by conducting comprehensive assessments to understand the person’s strengths, challenges, and goals. These assessments encompass various aspects of daily living, including self-care, productivity (work/studying), and leisure (hobbies/interests) activities. Sensory profiling is also key in determining a person’s sensory preferences and avoidances.
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Skill development and training:
Occupational Therapists teach practical skills that enhance independence and functionality in daily life. This may involve teaching coping strategies for managing stress, developing time management skills, improving organisational abilities, or enhancing communication and social skills.
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Activity Analysis and Modification:
Occupational Therapists analyse everyday activities to identify barriers to participation and develop strategies for overcoming them. They may provide accommodations or adaptations within the work or home environment. For example, ergonomics in the workplace, time management strategies and work modifications.
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Cognitive Interventions:
Occupational Therapists incorporate cognitive rehabilitation into their treatment plans to address executive functioning difficulties, such as challenges with memory, concentration and attention, problem solving and decision making.
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Community Integration and Support:
Occupational Therapists facilitate community reintegration and return to sports or leisure or hobbies, which will also serve as a means of stress relief and promoting social participation.
By focusing on meaningful activities and occupations, OT empowers individuals to overcome obstacles, cultivate resilience, and thrive despite their mental health conditions.
A holistic approach to therapy
Occupational therapy offers a holistic approach to treating adult mental health clients, addressing physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of functioning. By empowering people to develop practical skills, engage in meaningful activities, challenge negative thoughts and behaviours, and build social connections, Occupational Therapists play a vital role in promoting recovery, independence, and quality of life.
If you or someone you know could benefit from support in any of these areas, reach out for more information and assistance.
Together we can improve quality of life and thrive in our areas of work, leisure, and home environments.
Get in touch today
If you’d like to speak to one of our friendly team of experts about Occupational Therapy or any of our mental health services, please contact us today on (+971) 4 385 4493 for our Dubai clinic, or (+971) 2 651 8111 for our Abu Dhabi clinic. Alternatively, please click here to make an online enquiry.