Overall, occupational therapists (OTs) strive to maximise your safety, independence, and meaningful engagement in life (whatever that may look like for you!).
Occupational therapists refer to your day-to-day activities as "occupations". These "occupations" may be activities that are productive in nature (e.g. working, studying, volunteering, looking after loved ones, completing household chores), may be about self-care (e.g. showering, dressing, sleeping, cooking, eating), or may primarily relate to leisure and recreation (e.g. engaging in hobbies, participating in sport, socialising with family and friends). Occupational therapy is all about supporting you to engage in these "occupations" of your everyday life, by assisting you to overcome the barriers that get in the way of you living the life you want to live.
Occupational therapists are skilled in evaluating the whole person (i.e. the social, emotional, intellectual, cultural, spiritual, and physical needs, abilities, and preferences of an individual), their "occupations", and the environments in which they engage in these "occupations". This means that occupational therapists are able to offer practical and holistic recommendations, even if your circumstances are very complex.
An occupational therapist's job is to listen to you, to carefully evaluate your situation, and to work with you to develop strategies that will help you to manage the challenges that you are facing. All recommendations are tailored to you and your unique circumstances. There's no "one-size-fits-all" approach!
