The Benefits of Occupational Therapy

We often write about occupational therapy in terms of what it is and what is the process. But what are the benefits of it? Kate, Shelley and the KMA team have a highly successful track record with their clients where they have gone to achieve amazing things. So in this blog we’ll be explaining a bit about the benefits of occupational therapy. 

When we see clients, our goal is to discharge them. We often make a joke that we are like Nanny McPhee. ‘When you want us but no longer need us we must go.’ The goal of occupational therapy is not to create a dependency, but to give clients the tools and techniques to make independent and well thought out choices in order to achieve goals and flourish. 

Occupational therapy is very broad and can vary significantly but a few main benefits include: 

• Learning how to regulate emotions 
• Creating a tool kit for mental and physical wellbeing
• Identifying and implementing adaptations around the home i.e. equipment 
• Developing a routine to avoid boom/bust cycles of working 
• Liaising with third parties such as employers on how to make reasonable adjustments and accommodations as mentioned under the Equality Act 2010
• Developing life skills 
• Providing support to clients who are in the rehabilitation phase of their recovery for example following a brain injury or stroke 
• Learning how to set and meet realistic and sustainable goals in order to live a productive and fulfilling life.

As you can see from the list above, occupational therapy has many benefits and that list is not finite. The type of therapy clients receive is completely bespoke to their situation and goals. No two intervention programmes are the same. Occupational Therapists are the only health care providers that are DUAL trained in mental and physical health meaning we look at the whole you. Not just your symptoms and diagnosis. It’s also important to remember, you do NOT need a ‘diagnosis’ to work with an Occupational Therapist. We have also worked with clients who just feel out of kilter and overwhelmed, our work with clients like that will include strategies and techniques to create routine, balance and focus on particular areas of a clients life. We understand the correlation between mental and physical health and work with you, with success in mind.