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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?

Find out more

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.

Find out more

Solicitors

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

Find out more

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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Natalie

Kent, South East of England

Natalie is a Paediatric OT working across Kent and the South East, providing support to children and their families.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

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

Sarah

Devon, West and South West of England

Specialising in neuro-rehabilitation, Sarah is an OT based in Devon, working with clients following neurological trauma or diagnosis.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Postural management

Catherine

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

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

View profile

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

Samantha

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Trained in advanced sensory integration and therapeutic listening techniques, Sam is an expert Paediatric OT, supporting children and their families.

View profile

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

Nina

Berkshire, South East of England

With over 15 years' experience, Nina specialises in Housing & Equipment, Seating & Postural Management and Rehabilitation for adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

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, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Visual perception, Balance, Self care, Postural management

Anna

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Based in Northern Ireland, Anna specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation, Housing & Equipment, and Seating & Postural Management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Stacey

Kent, South East of England

Based in Canterbury, Stacey is an expert OT providing assessments and interventions for adults with physical and neurological conditions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Self care, Postural management

Meera

Middlesex, London

An expert in Moving & Handling, and Housing & Equipment, and Rehabilitation, Meera visits clients across North London and Hertfordshire.

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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

Specialist skills

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

Jennie

South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Jennie is a highly experienced OT based in Doncaster. She provides Functional and Neuro rehabilitation for adults across Yorkshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

Gill

Cumbria, North West England

Based in Keswick, Cumbria, Gill is an OT delivering functional rehabilitation and housing assessments across North West England and Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Scotland, Cumbria, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Ann

Surrey, South East of England

Ann is an expert OT specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation, working with clients across London and the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, Surrey, London - South

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Ian

Derbyshire, East Midlands

Based in Derbyshire, Ian is an experienced OT specialising in Rehabilitation, Moving & Handling, and Seating & Postural Management.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

Counselling, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Learning disability

Ganga

Kent, South East of England

Ganga is a highly experienced OT delivering specialist rehabilitation for adults and children across the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Social integration

Alice

Cumbria, North West England

Alice is a highly experienced OT, supporting clients with Functional Rehabilitation and equipment recommendations

View profile

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

Stephanie

London - West, London

Based in London, Stephanie is an experienced OT offering Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment assessments and recommendations.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - West

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care

Alison

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Living in Cornwall, Alison supports clients across the South West with complex physical needs, learning disabilities, and mental health challenges.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly, Somerset, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Bristol, Plymouth, Bath, Swindon

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

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

Deanne

Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

Based just outside of Middlesbrough, Deanne is an Occupational Therapist specialising in Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Cleveland, Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

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

Barbara

East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

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

View profile

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

Katie

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Katie is an expert OT specialising in Functional Rehabilitation. She provides holistic interventions for clients across Yorkshire & Lincolnshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Susie

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

Susie is an expert Neurological OT, delivering specialist assessments and rehabilitation to clients across London and the South East.

View profile

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

Collette

Lincolnshire, East Midlands

Specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation, Collette delivers expert Occupational Therapy to clients across the East Midlands and East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Carien

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Based in Scotland, Carien provides expert Paediatric Occupational Therapy helping children with handwriting, sensory, and complex physical needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Cumbria, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Fife, Glasgow (City of), Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Lothian, Glasgow, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Jennifer

Hampshire, South East of England

Based in Winchester, Jennifer is specialist OT with vast experience in Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Counselling, DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Postural management

Alison

Norfolk, East Anglia

Alison is a highly experienced OT located in Norwich, Norfolk. She specialises in fatigue management, offering holistic assessments and treatment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

Jessica

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Jessica is a highly skilled Occupational Therapist who works with adults across 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

Rachelle

The Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

Based in Glamorgan, Rachelle is an OT with over 20 years’ experience. She specialises in Housing & Equipment and Paediatrics.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Torfaen, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, Learning disability

Charlotte

Southampton, Hampshire

Charlotte is an OT based in Southampton, delivering specialist rehabilitation and housing assessments across the South of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Matt

Lancashire, North West England

Providing specialist Housing and Equipment assessments, Matt is an experienced OT covering the North West region.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments

Emily

Cambridgeshire, East Midlands

Emily is a dedicated Occupational Therapist delivering holistic assessments and interventions across the East Midlands.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Cambridgeshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Jacquie

Hertfordshire, South East of England

Jacquie is an OT working with clients across London, Hertfordshire, and Essex. She specialises in stroke and brain injury.

View profile

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

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Managing Long COVID: The Important Role of Occupational Therapy

Alison is one of The OT Practice’s expert Occupational Therapists who specialises in Fatigue Management. Here, Alison discusses how Long COVID is affecting our clients and shares some practical guidance for recovery and long-term fatigue management.

Read more

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