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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 a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated team will then remain in charge of your case 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
  • 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 Clinical Services Manager

Ros

Ros

Client Manager (Adults)

Ros, an experienced OT, is our Client Manager overseeing the team looking after adults cases, mainly looking after our private individual and charity clients.

Email the team

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

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our client management team, who will be able to understand what your difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services 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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Marie

London - South, Middlesex

Marie is an Occupational Therapist specialising in Rehabilitation. Marie works in the London area.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Middlesex, London - Central, London - South, London - West

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Hayley

Birmingham, Worcestershire

A highly regarded expert occupational therapist, Hayley works with adults with a variety of conditions in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management

Kirsty

Glasgow, Glasgow (City of)

An expert occupational therapist, Kirsty works with children with a range of conditions in West Scotland in their own environments.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Counselling

Anthea

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Qualifying in 1985, Anthea specialises in seating & postural management, rehabilitation and housing & equipment for children and adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Louise

Suffolk, South East of England

Trained in advanced sensory integration techniques, Louise treats both children and adults at home, school and work.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, South East of England, Essex, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Behaviour management, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Rebecca

London - South, Surrey

Rebecca is a well regarded occupational therapist covering the South, South East and South London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Surrey, London - South

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

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

Rachel

Suffolk, East Anglia

Working in East Anglia, Rachel provides expert therapy to clients with a range of needs, helping them to gain independence.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care

Barbara

East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Barbara is an expert occupational therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation and seating & postural management assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management

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

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

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

Ali

Sheffield, West Yorkshire

Trained in advanced Bobath techniques, Ali provides expert occupational therapy specialising in moving & handling, rehabilitation and hand therapy.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Nottingham, Derby

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

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

Corinna

Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Corinna provides expert occupational therapy helping adults with housing & equipment and seating & postural needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural managemen, Anxiety management & relaxation

Jacqueline

London - Central, Middlesex

Based in London, Jacqueline provides expert paediatric therapy helping children with handwriting, sensory processing and specialist seating needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London - Central

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH

Rachel

London - North, Middlesex

Specialising in neurology and neuro rehabilitation, Rachel is an expert OT working with clients in London & the Home Counties.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North, London - East

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Joanne

Worcestershire, West Midlands

Based in Warwickshire, Joanne specialises in seating & postural management, moving & handling and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Self care, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sarah

West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Qualifying in 2007, Sarah specialises in seating & postural management, housing & equipment and rehabilitation for adult clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield, Hull

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Self care, Social integration

Helen

Nottingham, West Midlands

Trained in advanced hand therapy techniques, Helen delivers specialist rehabilitation assessments and treatment to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, East Anglia, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Nottingham

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Splinting

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

Carole

Fife, Scotland

Based in Fife, Carole provides expert occupational therapy helping adults with housing & equipment and rehabilitation needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Dundee (City of), East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Fife, West Lothian

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Counselling, PIPs, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Self care, Social integration

Joanna

Kent, South East of England

Based in Kent, Joanna provides expert occupational therapy helping adult clients with complex, neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, Essex, Kent, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - West

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

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

Annabelle

Oxfordshire, South of England

Annabelle is an expert Occupational Therapist working with clients with complex neurological, physical and cognitive needs in and around Oxfordshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

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

Aldin

Birmingham, West Midlands

Qualifying in 2008, Aldin specialises in housing & equipment, rehabilitation and seating & postural management for adult clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, London, Herefordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Community access, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care

Ebby

Glasgow, West Lothian

Having worked internationally, Ebby provides expert occupational therapy helping adults with functional and neurological rehabilitation at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Argyll and Bute, Borders, Clackmannan, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Glasgow (City of), Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian, Glasgow, Edinburgh

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

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

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

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

Samantha

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

Samantha is an expert occupational therapist, delivering specialist seating, hand therapy, neurological and functional rehabilitation assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills

Catriona

London - South, London

Based in London Catriona is an expert Occupational Therapist, working with children with a range of conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England , London - South

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Chailey Postural Management

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural managemen, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Achievable Fatigue Management Techniques

Fatigue is something that is part of most of our client’s rehabilitation journeys. OT's work with clients to break down tasks & build strategic rehabilitation programmes whilst managing the need for rest & recuperation allowing clients to realise their goals & stretch their capabilities.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

Mental and Physical Health: Why they go hand in hand.

Four million people develop mental health problems after a long term physical disability. A holistic approach encompassing both physical & mental health is an essential ingredient in client led rehabilitation. This article explores their important relationship & the impact on therapeutic success.

Read more