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Trigger warning: Self-harm and abuse A Mental Health Act tribunal is where people who are detained in hospital against their wishes get the chance to appeal their detention. They get legal representation and while staff argue why they need to remain detained, the solicitor picks apart their statements to show that the detention is unjust. Watching this are a panel of three people: a psychiatrist, a judge and a lay person - and at the end of the merry process they get to decide whether the detention is required. In the UK, this is how we make sure people aren’t deprived of their liberty without good reason. This bit was a bit dull, but it gets more interesting from now on… I was at a mental health tribunal once where I was asked this question: "If self harm is what keeps them in hospital and they really want to get out, why don’t they just stop doing it?" I relished answering this but my heart sank a bit as well. This was the medical expert on the panel and it is so frustrating that people in such a position of power hold the view that self harm can simply be 'turned off'. I’m not a fan of diagnosis but, using a medical model, self harm is one of the symptoms of borderline personality disorder . In what other area would we suggest people just stop the symptoms of their illness? "Why don’t they just stop hearing voices?" Or even "Why don’t the manic people just calm down?" Obviously, any action that someone takes has an element of choice involved, but in mental health we work with many things that people do that cause them harm. I’m going to suggest that, if the attitude we take into our work is that people should just stop doing what they are doing, it is going to be absolutely impossible for us to help them. It also conveys the idea that people who could just stop are unworthy of help. If you feel that alcoholics should just stop drinking, agoraphobics should just go out more or anorexics should just have a McDonalds, this probably isn’t the article for you. If you’re interested, I’m going to try and explain how to make sense of why people do things that aren’t obviously in their best interests. I’ll probably focus on self harm, but you can use this process for understanding most things . I’ll give it to you in a couple of steps, but the order doesn’t really matter... The things people do make sense Nobody self harms for the sake of it. Nobody self harms because of their diagnosis. The only reason someone self harms is because, in that moment, it’s better than not doing it. You’re not that important There’s a good chance that the reason someone self harms is nothing to do with you. Yes, its painful to see someone you’re supposed to care for hurting themselves. Yes, it’s frightening to think you’ll be blamed for what they do... and yes, it can feel personal. Despite your initial reaction, you will be much more useful if you can start in a non-judgemental and curious manner . If you have to make an assumption, work hard to make sure it is the most empathic one you can think of. Be curious The best source of information about why someone does something is the person themselves. I once read 'She spent time in her bedroom and self harmed due to her diagnosis', which I thought was one of the worst things ever written in somebody’s notes - and the winner of my 'Utter Lack of Interest' award.  We need to ask questions: "Can you help me understand why you do that? I want to understand how it’s useful to you." "How does it help?" These are all things we can say to help people talk about why they do things; as a bonus, it gives them a sense that we are interested in them. It does something for them Everyone’s reason for self harming will be different, but it's likely that they get something positive out of it. It might allow them to feel something (because feeling nothing is terrifying). It might ground them and help them focus. It might validate their sense that they need to be punished. It might... well, anything really. Whether it affects their physiology, thoughts or feelings, there is likely to be some result that is worthwhile. It does something to other people It’s very easy for us to start thinking of ‘attention seeking’ at this point. Let's throw that term out of the window and just think about what happens in the environment once someone has hurt themselves. It might mean that people spend time with you . It might mean that people don’t abandon you . It might mean that people keep you away from something that terrifies you. It might mean that people care for you in ways that they wouldn’t otherwise. I remember one person who had always been neglected by his parents. They only showed they cared when he was physically unwell. Later in life, the only time he could accept people being nice to him without a crushing sense that he didn’t deserve it was after he had poisoned himself. If we ask, we can find out why it makes sense. But they could just ask us! But you won’t ask for things you don’t think you deserve. Many people have lived lives where they were never given what they asked for. Even if they did ask, let’s have a think about who is given the clearest message that people care about them. Is it the person who asks politely for support, or is it the person in their room turning blue, with a team ensuring they stay alive in that moment then watching them for the night?  In mental health services we are very good at conveying the message that the amount of care you receive is related to how dangerous you are. It’s weird that we then get annoyed when people respond to that. We can’t see the choice they’re making If we don’t ask, we are in danger of thinking people self harm for the sake of it. It’s very hard to sympathise with that. If we can see a choice, between cutting and another night of staying awake replaying the most traumatic experiences in 3D IMAX in their brain, it makes a lot more sense. If we can see a choice , between overdosing and feeling that your head is going to explode, it makes a lot more sense. If we can see a choice - between head banging and listening to the voice of the person who hurt you telling you how awful you are and that you deserved it and that no one likes you and it will never get any better, ever – again, it makes perfect sense. We won’t know what is going on for someone until we ask them. We need to make sure we do that. So all of the above are just some ideas. To make it a bit more MOHO , people only do things because they want or need to do them. Other ideas are available, so feel free to dismiss this. I’m going to suggest that if you can do the above you’ll be much more effective at helping people. It might even mean that you work on the problems that lead to people hurting themselves, rather than just trying to stop the self harm itself. Don’t be the person with a deciding vote in someone’s liberty thinking that they should just pack it in. Be curious, be empathic... and honestly, if stopping was easy, people would do it. Keir is a Lead Therapist in an NHS Specialist Service and provides training, consultation, supervision and therapy around complex mental health problems through Beam Consultancy . It is the height of arrogance for me to be writing about this; people who experience these difficulties do it much better. I highly recommend reading this by @hoppypelican. There are more articles like this here Follow Keir on Facebook: Keir Harding OT ; Instagram: Keirhardingot ; X (where he is busiest): @keirwales

A retrospective piece, sharing an intervention idea from an occupational therapy placement I was given the chance to work with a UK mental health charity, supporting young people in a variety of role-emerging OT settings . Experiences included designing and facilitating group sessions on resilience, to a secondary school for deaf and hard-of-hearing children . I know from experience how stressful teenage life can be, but communication and engagement with the wider social environment is clearly an additional barrier for this community. Although a sign-language facilitator was present, this provided an extra layer of challenge, as I'm sure you can imagine. Frankie and I were keen to rise to this and we loved our time at the school. We brought the Five Ways to Wellbeing to pupils, via a variety of weekly classes. These were designed to be fun, engaging and mindful of the stressors faced - both by those with hearing impairments and by teenagers in general.

Every now and then, the ambience in our office is disturbed by a member of the public roaring with laughter in the corridor, whilst reading the 'Sleep Office' sign on our door. We prick our ears with a sense of familiarity, anticipating what is coming next. "Sleep Office. Ha ha! What do you think they do in there then, sleep?" While the idea of sleeping on the job sounds amusing to some, to our patients, sleep at any time has often become a living nightmare. Night after night, for years or decades - stuck in a seemingly inescapable cycle of desperately wanting to sleep , yet spending much of the night exhausted and awake. We call this insomnia , which is one of the many sleep disorders we deal with at our sleep clinic. To those who have never struggled with sleep, it is hard to understand the profound impact that sleep disorders have on a person’s life. While they may be seen as a nighttime problem, they have a significant impact - across the full 24-hour spectrum - on: health emotions cognition productivity quality of life You might call me biased, but I think that sleep is the ultimate occupation! Every other occupation is affected by how well we sleep, and similarly, sleep is affected by all our occupations.  At the Royal Surrey County Hospital (in the UK), we are a team of three Occupational Therapists, working within an outpatient National Health Service (NHS) sleep clinic to provide assessment and behavioural treatment for sleep disorders. While our respiratory nurse and physiotherapy colleagues provide the sleep disordered breathing service, our primary focus is on delivering treatment for insomnia . We also support patients with circadian rhythm disorders, concurrent insomnia and sleep apnoea (COMISA), nightmare disorder and parasomnias. Our patients range in age from 16-90 years and, unsurprisingly, many have complex medical or mental health issues in addition to their sleep disorder. A day in the life... Today, my day started with a remote clinic. Due to there only being a few NHS Insomnia services in the UK, many of our patients are not local and prefer remote treatment, to avoid long journeys.  My first patient was a 45-year-old lady who, for the last 10 years, has taken several hours to fall asleep and then woken for another hour or two overnight. At first assessment, she estimated sleeping around 5 hours on a good night and was feeling desperate. Despite describing herself as a naturally positive person, her life had become a battle . She felt exhausted all the time, had been pulled up for mistakes at work and her relationship with her husband was deteriorating - not helped by their recent 'sleep divorce' (separate bedrooms). We initiated cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Insomnia, which is misleadingly named, as it is nothing like regular CBT. After only a few weeks, her sleep is improving. CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first line treatment for people with chronic insomnia - although sadly few services exist, which means that most sufferers are fobbed off with no help, or ineffective sleep hygiene. CBT-I has a robust evidence base, demonstrating efficacy in primary and co-morbid insomnia (references 1,2). It is a multi-component intervention, addressing cognitive and behavioural factors that perpetuate sleep disturbance. We deliver our programme in an innovative way, through a combination of treatment videos (which I created, after we were forced to close our service during covid-19) and one-to-one support (to tailor, troubleshoot and top-up video content). While the principles of CBT-I are quite simple, in reality they can be challenging, both to deliver as a healthcare professional and to implement as a patient. For example, techniques such as sleep scheduling can be very daunting. This requires an already-sleep-deprived individual to sacrifice catch-up sleep, get up at a consistent time and temporarily reduce their overall time in bed, in order to increase sleep efficiency. Not surprisingly, occupational therapy coaching skills are extensively employed, including : evaluating motivation explaining rationale instilling hope compassionately acknowledging concerns adapting guidance to overcome barriers or resistance In spite of patients’ initial scepticism, CBT-I literally changes lives within a matter of weeks. That was the case for my first patient. Only four weeks after first seeing me, she was surprised to find that she was falling asleep within 30 minutes - and getting back to sleep quickly during the night. Her average sleep duration had already increased to 6.5-7 hours a night. I explained the next steps and congratulated her on the positive spiral she was creating - where increased sleep consistency produces greater confidence, which in-turn promotes calm at bedtime and consequently promotes more sleep! My next patient was a 62-year-old man, whom I was speaking to for the first time. He explained that his sleep had been poor for years; as is the case for many of our patients, his physical and mental health was suffering. After initially describing symptoms suggestive of insomnia, he flippantly disclosed violent dreams associated with thrashing around and dream-related movement. Further questioning revealed a history consistent with REM Behaviour Disorder (RBD) . Sadly, around 70% of those with RBD develop Parkinson’s Disease within 12 years (reference 3). RBD is not something that can be treated behaviourally and a formal diagnosis requires a laboratory sleep study , which we do not have available at our hospital. So I inform the gentleman on good sleep practices, recommend safety measures to avoid injury overnight, advise the GP to remain vigilant to other prodromal Parkinson’s symptoms and refer him to a London clinic, for a formal diagnosis. Other activities during the day include setting up a respiratory sleep study for a lady with insomnia - but whom I suspect has sleep apnoea too. Plus talking to a young woman with a severely delayed sleep rhythm (4am - 1pm) about light therapy . That and wading through an endless stream of admin, triaging referrals, attending a multidisciplinary (MDT) meeting and cursing the new electronic records system that isn’t cooperating... As my day draws to an end, I am left utterly convinced that when we help our patients sleep, we help them live . If this article has inspired you to think more deeply about sleep, I would encourage you to start building your knowledge of sleep, through reading or training. From there, your most powerful tool is to ask your patients about their sleep.  In the words of Jane, a former patient and former insomniac: "Life feels so much brighter, better and happier when you’ve slept well!"  Struggling to sleep? Listen up! This free 30-minute one-off podcast will provide insights and evidence-based techniques, to help you and your clients sleep better tonight! If you are struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, please listen in below. C reated by article author Louise Berger , the talk will cover: How you are not alone and there is hope What to do when you are having a few bad nights The difference between a few bad nights and full-blown insomnia How insomnia develops The vicious cycle of trying too hard to sleep The two systems that determine how well you sleep - sleep drive and hyper-arousal The difference between being sleepy and tired Practical ways to increase sleep drive, so you can fall (and stay) asleep more easily Ways to reduce alertness and anxiety at bedtime and overnight Why you don’t have to sleep 7-8 hours every night Why your insomnia isn’t going to take you to an early grave References Trauer, J.M., Qian, M.Y., Doyle, J.S., Rajaratnam, S.M.W. and Cunnington, D. (2015) Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  Annals of Internal Medicine.   163 (3): 191-204. doi: 10.7326/M14-2841 . Edinger, J.D., Arnedt, J.T., Bertisch, S.M. et al. (2021) Behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine systematic review, meta-analysis, and GRADE assessment. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 17 (2): 263-298. Roguski, A., Rayment, D., Whone, A.L., Jones, M.W. and Rolinski, M. (2020) A neurologist's guide to REM sleep behavior disorder. Frontiers in Neurology . Jul 8; 11:610. Berger, L. (2024) Say Goodnight to Insomnia Podcast. Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust: Occupational Therapy > Insomnia Clinic . Available online: https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/saygoodnight . Accessed 15 February 2024.

As Occupational Therapists, we are always trying to identify activities that a client might connect with. Gardening is an accessible, adaptable pastime, that many clients have experienced and which an intervention can be built around. However, barriers exist with many mental health conditions, such as volition and fatigue, that need to be overcome in order to engage. This is often the case with depression. Take this short course to explore these themes further. Questions and self-reflection will follow content, to help test your knowledge and provide evidence of learning.

We believe in the power of occupation for health and wellbeing Your global occupational therapy community The online platform and app run by Occupational Therapists. Shaped by 22,000+ Members , in 195 countries. News + Latest Get involved! Free Membership Membership Plus+ Community dashboard Independent Practitioners Private · 54 members Request To Join Clinical Educators in Occupational Therapy Public · 30 members Join Neurodivergent OTs Private · 91 members Request To Join OT and Adapted Parenting Public · 3 members Join OT Allies Public · 3 members Join Neurology Public · 119 members Join Show More Alison Chan Oct 14 Willard and Spackman's Occupational therapy 13th edition textbook Jan Angelo Bermas Oct 20 Pricing Information for Virtual Occupational Therapy Services Abhinav Mishra Jul 14, 2020 Topic of the month: (July- August 2020) Rehabilitation Robotics: A systematic review. Ammey Potter Oct 06 No-Fault Physical Therapy and OT: A Winning Combo for Auto Accident Recovery Christine D Jun 01, 2019 New starter in Neuro Rehab helencartin Feb 23, 2020 Managing Severe Hand Contractures in the Older Person. Shelly Sanders Jun 15 Advice for possible RC tear JAY JAGDALE Dash · Oct 14 Seeking Guidance on Starting My Research Journey in Occupational Therapy Jamie Grant Dash · Mar 31, 2020 OT + Neurological Rehabilitation OT CPD Course Highlights (Plus+) Improve Client Outcomes with Positive Psychology 2 Plans Available More info / Join ADHD and Occupational Therapy 2 Plans Available More info / Join Therapy Article Highlights Clinical Reference Using Yoga to complement Occupational Therapy OT Interventions (Plus+) Effective Delegation: Enhancing Collaboration Between Occupational Therapists and Rehabilitation Support Workers Reflective Journals Are You Treating the 'Whole' Patient? Passionately empowering clinicians, students and those they support The Mission To show the world the value of our health and social care profession . To share knowledge and resources, across an international community. To provide a community of practice , reducing geographical and professional isolation. "The Occupational Therapy Hub is a great source of content and connection. Well done! I will share it with the rest of our team." Norma - Care Expert; Specialist Occupational Therapist; Manual Handling Consultant (LinkedIn, 2024) Testimonials Hub News Hub News Free / Plus+ Get to know the expert: Kim Barthel To celebrate World OT Day , Paediatrics Lead Tia recorded a special interview with her mentor Kim Barthel - a renowned Canadian Occupational Therapist, neurologist, much-loved teacher and speaker. Kim connects ideas and people in the service of supporting resiliency and health worldwide. In this interview, she shares experiences and insights about the powerful work of OT... This recording is freely available to watch for one week , until 31st October. It will then be permanently available in OT Webinars , via Membership Plus+ . 25/10/2024 Watch the interview Free 'From Media to OT': Hub Founder Jamie's podcast appearance 'Parish welcomes Jamie Grant , a neurological occupational therapist based in the UK - and Founder of the Hub. Jamie shares his unique journey, from working in media and hospitality to finding his true calling in OT. Discussion dives into Jamie’s personal and professional challenges, including his shift from media to healthcare, and why OT became his passion.' Stream Part 1 of this episode of The Passion Occupational Therapy Podcast right here, or open The OT Hub app on your iOS or Android device. 22/10/2024 Podcast Portal Plus+ Articles dedicated to advancing occupational therapy Articles covering projects, ideas and collaborative efforts - that raise awareness of and help to advance the occupational therapy profession in a tangible way. Log in and upgrade to Membership Plus+ , to read and share educative and insightful pieces with fellow clinicians and students! 20/10/2024 Advancing OT (Plus+) Plus+ Study is first to measure home interactions between children with autism and pets One of the primary goals for pet ownership is using it to increase a child’s development, teaching things like responsibility and empathy. "While you can demonstrate empathy using a sibling, it’s not the same as with an animal who is unable to tell you they don’t like their fur pulled" - Lisk PhD (study co-author, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Kansas). Access this latest news and other stories from the profession worldwide, via OT Updates , included within Membership Plus+ . 19/10/2024 OT Updates (Plus+) Free NEW: OT Circles (2.0) This month we launched free learning and development networks , for occupational therapy clinicians, educators and students! Foster global connections - in a dedicated space, away from the noise of social media. Engage in discussion, create polls and share documents and/or videos. Access this invaluable networking resource online, or on-the-go, via The OT Hub app (available on iOS and Android devices). 08/10/2024 NEW: OT Circles Plus+ Recent onset mental illness severity: Cognition, sensory modulation, participation 'The most effective markers of more severe mental illness onset are functional cognition and limited participation diversity. Since addressing these markers is a unique specialisation within occupational therapy, findings highlight the potential contribution the profession can make to the early identification of the most vulnerable populations.' Plus+ Members can read this 2024 paper within the Mental Health / Wellbeing theme of the Research Portal. 01/10/2024 Research Portal (Plus+)

OT Access Occupational Therapists Connect with occupational therapists, worldwide. Are you an occupational therapist wanting to be visible to the wider community? We want the public to easily reach you, to benefit from your specialist support. This is an expanding directory. Suggestions from our community are not definitive. Get in touch Enable Therapy Services Access Promoting the use of rehabilitation and early intervention. Our services are delivered by our UK-wide network of over 120 highly qualified Occupational Therapists, working together with our dedicated office based clinical coordinators - providing rehabilitation and vocational case management. All ETS Occupational Therapists have the knowledge and experience to provide a wide range of rehabilitation reports, assessments and rehabilitation case management. Our wide range of rehabilitation services provide our referrers with one point of contact to ensure continuity of the rehabilitation process; from early intervention until clients reach their optimal recovery, in activities of daily living, social, leisure and return to work. Our comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services are dovetailed with each client’s rehabilitation programme, so that they are supported with advice and guidance throughout their return to work. [LEEDS-BASED; SERVICES AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE] From the Harp Access From the Harp delivers therapeutic activity using the harp as the occupational based intervention, and playing as occupation. Alice is an Occupational Therapist, harp therapist and sound therapist and does harp therapy sessions for groups and individuals in care homes and for health groups. Harp therapy can be beneficial for all client groups and all ages. The harps are very adaptable and can be played on the floor, on tables, in wheelchairs and in bed. Clients can engage with the harps in any way that is meaningful to them. Some like to play them, others will sing, tap, sway, observe, reminisce about their musical experiences or place their hand on the harps to feel the vibrations. Research has shown that live interactive harp music can reduce pain and anxiety and helps to stabilise heart and breathing rates. Making music on the harps has both physical and cognitive benefits and is great for group cohesion and increasing self esteem. [PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE-BASED; SERVICES PROVIDED ON SOUTH COAST] OTCoach Access OTCoach: Inspiring and supporting OTs to develop creative and courageous OT practice. OTCoach has been working with individual OTs, OT services and educators since 2005, during which time we have seen the amazing power of a 'coach approach'. Interest in coaching in occupational therapy continues to grow, as both professions aim to help people live their lives with balance and purpose. We 'coach' OTs themselves and also help OTs develop a coaching approach to their work. [SW ENGLAND-BASED; COACHING REMOTELY WORLDWIDE] Seirrah Occupational Therapy Access Based in our clinic in Cardiff, Seirrah OT is a private provider of occupational therapy services for individuals aged 0 to 25 years of age with developmental challenges in their movement, play, learning, and behaviour. As part of our wider services we also work across the UK in homes, schools, and community settings to provide assessment, advice, treatment, and training. Each individual we work with receives a tailored programme according to his or her needs with our treatment programmes being fun and engaging. Our team enable each individual person overcome difficulties they are experiencing by increasing their motivation and adopting a 'there’s no limits' approach. [SOUTH WALES-BASED; UK-WIDE] GLK Occupational Therapy Access With a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy (2014) and a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (2015), I have the knowledge and understanding of what it is like to live with chronic pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety. I believe in a holistic approach to health. I offer independent living advice and general health and wellbeing coaching. We can work together to achieve realistic, achievable goals to increase quality of life and occupational performance in all areas of daily living. I also offer pain management advice and interventions including hire and treatment of the Alpha-Stim - a micro-current and cranial electrotherapy stimulation hand-held device. I'm also a DoTerra wellness advocate, offering advice on essential oils for health and wellbeing and how to incorporate them into a toxic free lifestyle. Mrs Gemma Kempsell GLK Occupational Therapy Independent Occupational Therapist (HCPC registered) [SERVICES AVAILABLE IN BEDFORD, UK] Heal-OT Access Welcome, I’m Sarah Doyle, a qualified Specialist Occupational Therapist (OT). I have an Occupational Therapy BSC Hons degree from Coventry University, (2010). Experienced in; Specialist Surgery, General Medicine, Renal, Respiratory, Elderly Medicine, Trauma & Orthopaedics and Palliative Care. This has enabled me to develop my career, knowledge and clinical skills. Having specialised within Vascular and Thoracic for the last four years. I have gained invaluable experience within Wheelchair Services. 2018 qualified Post Graduate training in Hippotherapy (using the equine for therapy) and Equine-assisted learning (EAL). This was provided by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy. Have you considered Hippotherapy? Hippotherapy is a therapy that uses the horse's movements sitting on the horse at the pace of walk, by using three-dimensional movements, the horse can stimulate pelvic, gross and fine motor skills. Improves head, trunk control, strength, coordination, and balance. It motivates a child/adults physical, sensory, cognitive and emotional systems. Which then enables improvement in occupational performance. We can learn so much, by interacting with the horse. In EAL the therapist uses the horse as an educational tool, encompassing a range of non-riding-based activities, all which improve the physical and psychological performance of individuals. Which can then be transferrable to daily living activities. Registered with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) & Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). An associate member of Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy (CPTRH). Enhanced DBS check completed. [NORTH WARWICKSHIRE-BASED; SERVICES PROVIDED WITHIN WEST MIDLANDS] Healthy & Independent Access We are specialists in minor and major adaptations, manual handling people and mindfulness in social care. Teaching the correct handling techniques are essential, in order to minimise any risk of accident and to increase safety and dignity. We offer clinical support and workshops online and in situ. [SERVICES AVAILABLE IN SPAIN AND THE UK] Millennial OT Access Aim: To make positive mental health behaviour appealing. Occupational Therapist Grant Mitchell uses this website to provide resources and content to promote positive mental health, such as Youtube videos and handouts. Grant is an occupational therapist working with young adults in inpatient mental health. Content is related to healthy living and positive mental health, through topics such as mindfulness, coping skills and the areas of occupation. [FLORIDA-BASED] My Therapy Services Access Rebuilding lives through Occupational Therapy. Empowering individuals to rebuild their lives by improving function, maintaining skills and reducing risks. We are dual trained in both physical health and mental health. We look at the individual holistically, not just in a ‘work’ capacity as some people assume due to the word “occupation’. This means putting the person right at the centre and acknowledging that they have many facets in life that will have an impact on one another. The service is run by Manisha who has 17 years of clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist within the NHS. This has involved working within a variety of environments including hospitals, schools, care homes and people’s own homes. Interested in a free consultation? Get in touch and we will help assess your situation and discuss what we can do for you. [UK: NOTTINGHAM. Able to travel within East/West Midlands] NHS 24 Access The national provider of digital and telephone based health and care services for Scotland. We provide people with access to information, care and advice through multiple channels including telephone, web and online. We work in collaboration with partners, the public and our people to co-design services using technology and a digital first approach to sustainable service development and delivery. [SCOTLAND] OT360 Professional Supervision Access Royal College of Occupational Therapists, the Health and Care Professions Council and the Care Quality Commission and all agree: expert supervision is essential for all registered care providers. So if you chose to have supervision how will we work together? That is largely up to you. I have years of experience of supervising OTs, building great working relationships and working hard to tackle your issues, dilemmas or problems. I understand the need to be flexible, so we will work together to find a pattern of meetings that works for you. And, of course, after every session you will receive a summary and action plan, as well as evidence of each HCPC standard, so you are always ready for the HCPC audit. How often we meet is up to you. Most people find that one or two hours a month works well. We can meet monthly, bimonthly or whatever works. Simply email me and suggest dates and times, and we can make arrangements. And of course we can talk in person or on the phone. Have a look at my website, read about who I already work with, and what they say about my work. Margaret Spencer MA Consultant Occupational Therapist and Senior Lecturer [UK-BASED] Occupational Therapy Glasgow Access Independent Occupational Therapist offering Functional Assessments with a client’s home environment to identify areas of functional difficulty in day to day life, helping individuals live in their own home independently and safely for as long as possible. Occupational Therapy assessments can also be undertaken on behalf of charities, benevolent funds and housing associations to assess an individual’s functional need in relation to either specific equipment such as stairlifts or riser-recliner chairs, or larger home adaptations/rehousing. Similarly, assessments can be carried out to support applications or appeals by individuals. Rehab Jigsaw Access Lynne Drumm Occupational Therapist / Case Manager Director Rehab Jigsaw Tel: 03333 440783 DD: 01325 721582 E-mail: lynne.drumm@rehabjigsaw.co.uk Solutions for Living - Entwistle Power Occupational Therapy Access Solutions for Living works proactively and compassionately with disabled and injured people to help them improve their functional independence in important life roles. At home, work, in the community or during leisure pursuits, our Mission is to provide people with disabilities solutions for living. In this way, they can have hope for a better future, are empowered towards independence, and succeed in pursuing functional goals. Our Vision is that occupational therapy becomes recognised for all that it is and all that it can offer as a comprehensive and cost-effective health care solution. Further, our firm, driven by caring, passion and integrity, will lead in the delivery of these services across Ontario. [ONTARIO-BASED] The OT Practice Access The OT Practice has the largest team of independent occupational therapists in the UK, specialising in providing high quality services nationwide to private, statutory and business clients. Our practice is based on our reputation for building trusted relationships with our clients, and we are always looking for talented individuals to join our team. Whether you are thinking about taking the first steps into private practice or are an experienced private practitioner, working with us could be just the answer. If you aren’t sure where to start, we can guide you through the process and provide tools to help manage your workload. Our office-based client management team help find, allocate and administer cases, leaving you time to focus on providing clients with the highest level of care. [HAMPSHIRE-BASED; SERVICES NATIONWIDE] The Rehab Team Ltd Access Nicola Lawson is an experienced occupational therapist who specialises in the assessment and rehabilitation of clients with trauma and orthopaedic conditions, ranging from elective orthopaedic surgery to complex trauma injuries including limb amputations, hand injuries and severe burns. Nicola has worked in a varied of different clinical settings and establishments, including the NHS, charities and private practice. She is based in the East Midlands and currently accepts private referrals, visiting clients in their own homes or place of work. Nicola also provides virtual support groups and training sessions to clients and other professionals. Nicola is a member of the British Associate of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) and British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT). She is registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and is committed to keeping abreast of clinical issues and maintaining her professional development. Nicola has undergone formal training in Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses and she accepts medico-legal instructions from solicitors through Somek & Associates Ltd. Nicola Lawson Occupational Therapist Clinical Director [EAST MIDLANDS-BASED - STAFFORDSHIRE/DERBYSHIRE AREA] Waves Occupational Therapy Access As an Occupational Therapist, I offer comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions for both children and adults. Specialising in sensory assessments, I address a wide range of challenges including Dyspraxia, DCD, handwriting difficulties, and sensory integration difficulties. My services extend to supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down's Syndrome, mild hemiplegia, and visual perception issues. For children, I focus on enhancing gross motor skills, fine motor skills, dexterity, handwriting, and visual perception. Additionally, I provide strategies to improve self-care tasks, balance, coordination, and emotional regulation. Adults benefit from functional assessments and rehabilitation, with a focus on addressing handwriting difficulties, sensory needs, and postural requirements. I also offer support for individuals experiencing anxiety, mental health difficulties, and palliative care needs, ensuring a holistic approach to their well-being. Through evidence-based interventions and personalised care plans, I aim to optimise individuals' independence and participation in daily activities, ultimately enhancing their quality of life across various life stages and conditions. - Dawn Berryman, Occupational Therapist [SERVICES PROVIDED IN TRURO, CORNWALL, UK]

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