Shoalhaven Mental Health Occupational Therapy

 

What does a mental health Occupational Therapist do?

OT’s working in mental health have completed additional training to develop skills to work with people experiencing mental health issues. Occupational therapy in mental health promotes the recovery model by empowering people with mental illness to increase their active participation in what the person would regard as meaningful activity which could take the form of self-care, leisure, parenting, work or educational activities. OTs can provide therapy and education to increase the person’s ability to manage their mental health symptoms. This can help aid in the person’s quality of life and help them truly live their lives to the fullest potential.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy enables people to participate in activities they find meaningful. These activities include taking care of oneself (and others), working, volunteering, and participating in hobbies, interests and social events.

Occupational therapy is a client-centred health profession that involves ongoing assessments to understand what activities you can do (and those you want to do), any current limitations, your goals/motivations and also to offer advice / techniques about how to do something more easily and safely.

What can I expect in the initial assessment?

An initial assessment or functional assessment generally takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. The functional assessment takes place at your home so the OT can observe your function in your home environment. The assessment usually involves:

  • asking you questions about your day-to-day activities, your mental health symptoms, your current supports and goals

  • gathering information from your support person or carer

  • completing standardised assessments (usually in the form of questionnaires)

The assessment can be split in two visits and you can have breaks in between if you have difficulty with tolerating lengthy assessments.

Services Offered

  • Mental Health & Mental Health Risk Assessments

  • Supported Independent Living (SIL) assessments

  • Care coordination and discharge planning

  • Identifying and prescribing assistive technology

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About Sarah

I offer comprehensive assessments, reports dependent on your needs as well as ongoing therapy. My strength as a therapist lies in increasing your understanding about your mental health condition, active listening, capacity building and working with you to identify and make use of your existing strengths to achieve your goals in life.

I believe in respecting your lived experience and also empowering you with skills and strategies to lead the life you want to live. I do believe my lived experience of trauma and chronic pain allows me to have greater empathy and a unique attunement in therapy. I am a firm believer in neuroplasticity; our brain’s amazing ability to adapt.

get to know me

Testimonials

  • “I have learned deep breathing, using prompt cards, seeing the positives, problem solving and being connected. I feel less anxious when eating and feel more confident with how to visualize things”

    CM

  • “I learned coping strategies, breathing, mindfulness exercises. I started to understand why I feel the way I feel”

    CB

  • “I have gained the ability to calm my distressed brain, coping strategies, self-acceptance and more confidence”

    MP

  • “I have learned deep breathing, using prompt cards, seeing the positives, problem solving and being connected. I feel less anxious when eating and feel more confident with how to visualize things”

    CM

  • “I learned coping strategies, breathing, mindfulness exercises. I started to understand why I feel the way I feel”

    CB

  • “I have gained the ability to calm my distressed brain, coping strategies, self-acceptance and more confidence”

    MP

  • “I have learned to be kind to myself and no to overthink negative thoughts to myself. Sarah provided a good source of support overall”

    BT

  • “I have learned important skills in managing anxiety and stress in confrontational situations and everyday life. I got the confidence to leave a toxic work environment (and to try something new) and am overall happier and a less anxious person after these sessions. I got everything I aimed for and feel more hopeful about the future”

    NW

  • “I’ve learned so much about myself and how to cope and that it’s okay to feel the way I do. There’s just certain strategies I need to apply to give myself some extra help. This is the first time I have felt hopeful and I gained so much from therapy and I’ve been seeing therapists since I was 6 years old”

    JE

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