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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.

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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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Janet

Kent, South East of England

Janet is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in paediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, she works with children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Amie

Bristol, Somerset

Amie is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Neuro-Rehabilitation covering the Somerset, Bath & Bristol and West Wiltshire areas.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Avon, Somerset, Bristol

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural managemen

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

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

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

Tracy

Worcestershire, West Midlands

Based in Worcestershire, Tracy provides expert neurological occupational therapy helping clients with brain injury, stroke and mental health needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Coventry

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Planning & execution, Self care

Susie

Oxfordshire, South of England

Susie is an expert neurological occupational therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, London - North

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Postural managemen, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sam

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Working in the North West and West Midlands, Sam is an expert OT working in the area of Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Newport, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation

Adam

Bristol, Torfaen

Adam is a highly regarded OT specialising in stoke and brain injury, covering South West England and South East Wales.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England, Wales, Avon, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen, Bristol

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Becky

Birmingham, Worcestershire

Having worked internationally, Becky is an expert neurological occupational therapist, delivering specialist assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Herefordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Self care

Louise

Birmingham, Warwickshire

Louise is an expert Seating & Postural Management OT, delivering specialist mobility and Rehabilitation assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, South of England, South East of England, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Birmingham

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Postural managemen

Morag

Edinburgh, West Lothian

An expert occupational therapist based in Edinburgh, Morag specialises in rehabilitation, moving & handling and housing & equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Borders, Clackmannan, East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Perthshire and Kinross, West Lothian, Edinburgh

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

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

Fiona

Birmingham, West Midlands

Based in Staffordshire, Fiona provides occupational therapy to adults and children, specialising in moving & handling and housing & equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West Midlands, Birmingham

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Balance, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Anne

Worcestershire, West Midlands

Qualifying in 1989, Anne specialises in function, vocational and neurological rehabilitation and housing & equipment with adult clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care

Suzi

Plymouth, Somerset

Based in Plymouth, Suzi provides occupational therapy to adults and children in their home environment. She specialises in rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Self care, Postural managemen, Wheelchair accreditation

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

Georgina

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Georgina is an expert housing occupational therapist, providing adaptations and equipment to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments

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

Kimann

Surrey, London

Having trained and worked internationally, Kimann specialises in rehabilitation, housing & equipment and seating & postural management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS

Specialist skills

Counselling, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Behaviour management, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Hannah

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Qualifying in 2010, Hannah specialises in seating & postural management, housing & equipment and rehabilitation for children and adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, Wakefield, Hull

Specialisms

Paediatrics, 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, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Gillian

Southampton, Wiltshire

Gill is an expert Occupational Therapist working across the south of England and London, visiting clients in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Southampton

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Self care, Postural managemen

Aisling

London - North, Middlesex

Aisling is an expert occupational therapist working in the field of neurological rehabilitation with clients in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

Debbie

Leicester, Rutland

Debbie is an expert neurological occupational therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation and seating assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Coventry, Leicester, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Visual perception

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

Laura

Manchester, North West England

Laura provides expert occupational therapy to clients in their own homes in Manchester and the surrounding areas.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

Val

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Val is an accredited Best Interests Assessor, delivering specialist assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly, Bristol, Plymouth, Salford

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS, BIA, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Counselling, DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Community access

Gaya

London - South, London

Working across London, Gaya provides expert occupational therapy to clients in their own homes and workplaces.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Postural managemen, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

Alice

Cumbria, North West England

Alice is an expert occupational therapist working with clients in their own homes across north west England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Dumfries and Galloway

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Community access, Anxiety management & relaxation

Clare

London - South, Middlesex

Having worked internationally in South Africa and the UK, Clare specialises in housing & equipment, moving & handling and rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

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