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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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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, London - South

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

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

Tracy

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Specialising in rehabilitation, Tracy is an expert Occupational Therapist working across Yorkshire with clients in their own homes and workplaces.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Behaviour management, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Laura

Warwickshire, South East of England

Trained in advanced postural management and rehabilitation techniques, Laura provides expert occupational therapy to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, London, South of England, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care

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

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

Anne

Wiltshire, South East of England

Anne is an expert neurological occupational therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation to adult and elderly clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, London, South of England, Avon, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Self care

Emma

London - South, West Sussex

Emma is an expert rehabilitation OT working with clients in Surrey and the surrounding area in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - South

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

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

Nicola

Manchester, South Yorkshire

Working in Cumbria and Lancashire, Nicola provides expert occupational therapy to adult clients in their own homes

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, South Yorkshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Postural managemen, Wheelchair accreditation

Jane

Wiltshire, South East of England

Qualifying in 2000, Jane specialises in housing & equipment, rehabilitation and seating & postural management for adults and children.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England, South East of England, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Southampton

Specialisms

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

Caroline

Brighton, West Sussex

Caroline is an expert occupational therapist working with clients with neurological conditions in their own homes in the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural managemen, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sophie

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Working with adult and elderly clients across Oxfordshire, Sophie is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural managemen, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

Charisse

London - East, Essex

Qualifying in 2012 Charisse is an expert occupational therapist working with clients in London and Essex in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Essex, London - North, London - East

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

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

Catherine

Sheffield, West Yorkshire

Working across Yorkshire and the East Midlands, Catherine is an expert OT working with clients with Vocational Rehabilitation needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, Derbyshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Daily living skills

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

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

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

Susie

Hertfordshire, 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

Fiona

Birmingham, Staffordshire

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, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Paediatrics, 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, Daily living skills, Anxiety management & relaxation

Barbara

West 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

Stephanie

Wrexham, North West England

Based in Cheshire, Stephanie provides expert occupational therapy to adult clients. She specialises in neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Wales, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester, Salford

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care

Jo

Wrexham, North West England

Based in Cheshire Jo works with adults with a range of difficulties to enhance their well-being and quality of life.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

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, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Self care, Postural managemen

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

Karen

Edinburgh, Stirling

Working across Scotland, Karen carries out expert assessment and treatment of clients, providing advice on housing adaptations and rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Angus, Clackmannan, Dundee (City of), East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Highland, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Stirling, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

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