Shoalhaven
Mental Health
Occupational Therapy

Providing mental health specific OT assessments, outreach to regional areas, reports and therapy to NDIS participants and private clients.

I now offer outreach assessments

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I now offer outreach assessments ⋆

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.

Services Offered

  • Mental Health & Mental Health Risk Assessments

  • Supported Independent Living (SIL) assessments

  • Care coordination and discharge planning

  • Identifying and prescribing assistive technology

  • Reports required for the NDIS

  • Therapy

  • Outreach assessments in regional areas

View Services

What can I expect in the initial assessment?

A functional capacity assessment is a detailed assessment, that aims to gather information about ;

  • What you are capable of doing in your daily life and what areas you need support in. For example, do you need assistance with cooking, cleaning or taking medications.

  • It also explores who is supporting you,

  • What changes you might need to your home to make this safe for you,

  • and the equipment you might need to be more independent or safe.

This assessment is done in your home unless you request to meet elsewhere.

It can take between 2-4 hours. We can split it into two visits but would cost you more in travel.

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.

More about sarah

Testimonials

  • "I have engaged Sarah Reynolds for my participants over the past 2 years. I find Sarah to be an outstanding mental health Occupational Therapist whose dedication and expertise have made a profound impact in helping my clients get the results they need . Her compassionate approach, combined with her deep knowledge and research about participants' history & disability, fosters a strong background for her reports. Sarah's ability to connect with individuals, understand their unique needs, and develop tailored treatment plans is remarkable. She is not only a skilled professional but also a warm and caring person who goes above and beyond to support her clients. I highly recommend her services.”

    Jackie - Support Coordinator

  • "I have known Sarah for over the past 4 years as an OT for my adult daughter. In that time, I have always found Sarah very professional, caring, friendly and has the client’s best interests at heart.

    Sarah ensures that the support workers, who work with my daughter are interested in my daughter and that she reaches her potential following brain surgery.

    Sarah is always looking to improve the best outcomes for my daughter. I cannot recommend Sarah highly enough.”

    Lorraine

  • "I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for the remarkable support Sarah provided me early in my diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and also for helping me secure additional funding. Her thorough and insightful professional reports were instrumental in articulating my needs and ensuring that I received the necessary resources.

    Her dedication, expertise, and compassion continue to make a difference in my life today. It’s clear that Sarah puts a great deal of effort into her work and cares about her clients.

    Thank you, Sarah, for going above and beyond to assist me. Your support has not only made a tangible impact but has also been a source of encouragement and hope.

    Kerrie

  • “I have been referring NDIS participants to SMHOT since 2022.

    I am regularly impressed with the depth and quality of the work Sarah produces. It is evident that she leaves no stone unturned when seeking appropriate services and therapies for the people she supports.  I highly recommend SMHOT as a practitioner of the highest quality.”

    Jon – NDIS Support Coordinator

  • “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