What is Occupational Therapy?

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a client-centered, health and social care profession aimed at promoting health and well-being through the use of meaningful activities. Using a holistic approach, the occupational therapist will consider all aspects of the individual’s life; including their physical, psychological and psychosocial abilities, their home and work environments, interests, hobbies and lifestyle.  

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages and disabilities to enable them to participate in activities of everyday life. They work with the individual, their family, and employers to identify realistic solutions to overcome obstacles that are preventing the person from fully participating in their life. 

Occupational therapists will undertake specific activity analysis to identify what elements of the task are problematic for the individual and then consider ways to maximise the person’s engagement in that activity. This may include teaching the person a different technique, breaking down activities to reserve energy levels, identify environmental modifications to housing or the workplace or sourcing specialist equipment.

For more information on occupational therapy, please contact the British Association of Occupational Therapists and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.