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Low motivation (strategies)

Find out how we can help

Small steps that build towards to motivation and success

Now and then we all experience periods when we lack motivation, whether or not we know the reasons why. But persistently low motivation can cause us to under-perform at work, as well as cause problems at home and in our relationships.

We speak to many clients, family members and professionals concerned about lack of motivation and the impact this has on a person's daily life. Our understanding, non-judgemental assessments can help identify an individual's barriers to motivation, and allow us to plan to overcome these with practical strategies in an achievable time-frame.

How OT's help

We regularly help clients overcome temporary or long-term episodes of low motivation. Some of the most common triggers for approaching us include:

  • Loss, or the threat of loss, of employment due to persistent lateness or under-performance
  • Persistently low mood or self-esteem, leading to strained relationships with family and friends
  • Anxiety and reduced appetite
  • Difficulties in maintaining concentration beyond very short periods
  • Inability to maintain a routine or structure in everyday life

Our sensitive assessment process can allow a specialist occupational therapist to identify such problems along with the reasons for them, informing our recommendations and allowing us to plan a pathway to improved mood and motivation.

Our approach

Our aim is to provide practical, non-obtrusive support to help improve motivation, so our assessment may involve looking at:

  • A client's medical history and any current diagnosis
  • Their social circumstances and support networks
  • Changes to daily routines
  • The roles and responsibilities they feel obliged to meet
  • Longer-term wishes and goals for the future

Common recommendations

Some practical solutions that we may advise to help stimulate motivation include:

  • Identifying realistic goals that can be broken down into small, achieveable steps
  • Management of anxiety or fatigue
  • Routine planning

Public sector, charities and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

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Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with low motivation.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to our client manager who is also an experienced occupational therapist. They will then remain your primary point-of-contact at The OT Practice through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you in your own home and at a time convenient to you and your family, and are happy to offer evening and weekend appointments
  • We do not have waiting lists and so can offer appointments within 7 working days of referral or sooner
  • Our extensive nationwide network of registered occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • We can provide ongoing support for as long as you need it
  • Our clear, fixed pricing system will be provided to you in writing for you to consider in your own time
  • We do not add on travel or mileage costs
  • Your occupational therapist will be a specialist in their field, with over 5 years' clinical experience including time in social services or NHS practice
  • Our team are well connected to networks of local and national equipment providers, stair lift and building companies

Your dedicated point of contact

Victoria

Victoria

Clinical Services Manager (Adults)

Victoria, an experienced OT, is the Clinical Services Manager looking after enquiries relating to adults, mainly working on referrals from case managers and solicitors.

Email Victoria

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Case managers

We help your client's achieve optimum independence through assessment, treatment & advice.

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Solicitors

We provide solicitors with professional reports for educational tribunals or rehabilitation needs.

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Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

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Next steps

Free consultation

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with one of our client managers, whose clinical knowledge will allow them to understand exactly what your difficulties are and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we would propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange a visit at your home. Normally this first visit will comprise a full assessment, after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations. These may include useful items you can buy or activities you can do independently, but they may also include more complex recommendations such as home adaptations or additional treatment by the occupational therapist. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

A few of our rehabilitation specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are experienced in strategies to increased motivation and engagement.

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Lena

Belfast, Tyrone

Lena is an expert Occupational Therapist in the areas of Neurology and brain injuries, working with clients across Northern Ireland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural managemen, Anxiety management & relaxation

Ann

London - South, Surrey

Ann is an expert neurological rehabilitation OT, working with clients in their own homes in London and the surrounding areas.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, Surrey, London - South

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Self care, Postural managemen, Splinting

Emma

Hertfordshire, South East of England

Emma is a well regarded Occupational Therapist specialising in Rehabilitation. She covers the South East and London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Kirsty

Wrexham, North West England

Qualifying in 2001, Kirsty specialises in housing & equipment, moving & handling and rehabilitation for adults and children.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Powys, Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, Stoke-on-Trent, Salford

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration

Jacquie

London - North, Hertfordshire

Jacquie works with clients in their own homes across the south, she specialises in rehabilitation in stoke and brain injury.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural managemen, Splinting

Lynn

South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Lynn is an expert physiotherapist, delivering specialist assessments to adults and children in their home environment.

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Profession

Physiotherapy

Regions covered

Scotland, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, Balance, Postural managemen, School Based Therapy/Support

Emily

Bristol, Newport

Qualifying in 2009, Emily is a dedicated Occupational Therapist (OT) with a strong commitment to providing quality care.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Cardiff, Newport

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Self care, Postural managemen

Rachel

Bristol, Avon

Working across the south west and south Wales, Rachel is an expert OT working with adults in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Avon, Bristol

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

Anita

Plymouth, Devon

Based in Plymouth, Anita is a highly skilled paediatric OT working with children and their families across the south west.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, South of England, Wales, Devon, Plymouth

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Counselling, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Balance, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Greg

Bristol, Swansea

Based in Wiltshire, Greg specialises in moving & handling, seating & postural management and housing & equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South East of England, Wales, Avon, Berkshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, London - West, Bristol

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Counselling, DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Postural managemen, Anxiety management & relaxation

Lindsey

Powys, Wales

Working across South Wales, Lindsey is an expert Occupational Therapist providing personalised assessments and treatment plans for her clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Powys

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Jan

London

Jan is an expert rehabilitation occupational therapist, delivering specialist neurological, vocational and functional assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, Essex, London - Central, London - East

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Natalie

Kent, South East of England

Natalie is an expert occupational therapist working in Kent & the South East, providing support to children and their families.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural managemen, School Based Therapy/Support

Ellie

Southampton, Hampshire

Ellie is a highly regarded Occupational Therapist specialising in Neurological rehabilitation and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome covering Hampshire and the South.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Hampshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Postural managemen, Splinting

Moira

West Midlands, West Midlands

Moira provides expert occupational therapy to adult clients, specialising in rehabilitation, seating and moving & handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Coventry

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Planning & execution, Self care

Heather

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Located in Northampton, Heather provides specialist neurological assessments to clients in their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Warwickshire

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural managemen, Splinting

Victoria

Bedfordshire, East Anglia

Based in Bedfordshire, Victoria is an expert neurological occupational therapist having completed a postgraduate diploma in Neuro-Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, London - Central, London - North, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Denise

Liverpool, Wrexham

Qualifying in 1992, Denise specialises in rehabilitation, moving & handling and seating & postural management for adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Wales, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Wrexham

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care

Karen

London - East, Surrey

Located in Essex and working across London & the South East, Karen delivers specialist assessments and treatment to her clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care

Ian

Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Ian specialises in rehabilitation, having completed postgraduate training in managing neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Paul

Leicester, Worcestershire

Working in South Yorkshire, East & West Midlands, Paul carries out expert assessments and treatment of adults with various needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Self care

Holly

Manchester, Cheshire

Trained in advanced hand therapy techniques, Holly helps clients by delivering rehabilitation assesments in their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Liverpool, Manchester, Derby

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Self care, Splinting

Sarah

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Sarah provides expert neurological and functional rehabilitation to adult clients at home. She is based in Cambridgeshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Anna

Belfast, Tyrone

Based in Northern Ireland, Anna specialises in neurological rehabilitation, housing & equipment and seating & postural management for adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Yvonne

Southampton, Dorset

Yvonne is an expert Vocational and Functional Rehabilitation specialist. She works with adults in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Annie

West Sussex, South East of England

Annie is an expert occupational therapist specialising in neurology working with clients in their own homes in the south east.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, Brighton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Wheelchair accreditation

Anthony

Glasgow, Glasgow (City of)

Qualifying in 2004, Anthony specialises in housing & equipment and rehabilaition for adult clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration

Jen

Suffolk, East Anglia

Jen specialises in rehabilaition, seating & postural management and housing & equipment for adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Anglia, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Counselling, DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural managemen, Sign Language, Anxiety management & relaxation

Jessica

Nottingham, West Midlands

Jessica is a highly skilled Occupational Therapist who works with adults. Jessica covers the East Midlands area.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural managemen, Wheelchair accreditation

Meera

Hertfordshire, London

An expert in rehabilitation, moving & handling and housing & equipment, Meera visits clients in their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, London - Central, London - North, London - West

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Self care, Postural managemen

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

A professional’s guide to functional rehabilitation

What is Functional Rehabilitation? In this guide, Rachael explains how a functional OT assessment, learning about a client's personal goals, and a realistic treatment plan, can help a client achieve their optimum level of participation in daily activities.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

A professional’s guide to neurological occupational therapy services

This guide has been put together to assist Case Managers understand the services an occupational therapist with a neurology specialism can offer a person with neurological impairments.

Read more