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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

Victoria

Victoria

Clinical Services Manager (Adults)

Victoria, an experienced OT, is the Clinical Services Manager supervising the team looking after adults cases, mainly working on referrals from case managers and solicitors.

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.

Find out more

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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Paula

Warwickshire, West Midlands

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, South East of England, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care

Tuesday

North Yorkshire, North East England

Covering the North East and Yorkshire, Tuesday is an Expert Practitioner Occupational Therapist specialising in the field of rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

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

Carolyn

Southampton, Hampshire

Working across Berkshire, Hampshire and London, Carolyn specialises in Neurological and Functional Rehabilitation and is an expert in her field.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, London - South, London - West, Southampton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, 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 management, Splinting

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

Carlie

Merseyside, North West England

Having worked in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Carlie provides expert occupational therapy to adult clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester, Salford

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

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

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

Lucy

London - North, Surrey

Lucy is experienced at providing specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention to clients with a range of neurological diagnoses.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Surrey, London - Central, London - North, London - West

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

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

Bethan

West Sussex, South East of England

An expert occupational therapist based in Surrey, Bethan specialises in neurological rehabilitation, seating & postural management and housing & equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, London - Central, Brighton

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

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

Lois

Stirling, Scotland

Based in Scotland, Lois provides expert assessments to clients at home, specialising in functional and neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Angus, Clackmannan, Dundee (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Perthshire and Kinross, Stirling

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills

Suzi

Plymouth, Devon

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

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

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

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 management, Wheelchair accreditation

Eve

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Eve is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist working with children in the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire areas.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

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

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

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 management, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

Chris

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Chris is an expert occupational therapist, having gained a PhD for a study investigating individuals with liver disease.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Elizabeth

Cardiff, The Vale of Glamorgan

Liz is an expert neurological rehabilitation specialist working with clients in their own homes across Wales and the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Torfaen, The Vale of Glamorgan, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Swansea

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

PIPs, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

Samantha

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Trained in advanced sensory integration and therapeutic listening techniques, Sam helps families by treating children at home, school and nursery.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, 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 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

Jan

Essex, 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

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

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 management, Splinting

Jane

Kent, South East of England

Jane is based in Kent and is a highly skilled OT, working with clients in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, 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

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

Helen

London - North, Hertfordshire

Helen is an experienced occupational therapist specialising in the field of neurology and covers the London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire areas.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, 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, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

Adam

Bristol, Torfaen

Adam is our Neuro Team Lead specialising in stoke and brain injury, covering South West England and South East England

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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

Vocational Rehabilitation, 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 management, Wheelchair accreditation

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