What to Anticipate from a Mental Health Occupational Therapist

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L, is a board-certified occupational therapist and the founder of OT Potential.

Occupational therapy within mental health centers on empowering individuals with psychiatric conditions to live and work as autonomously as possible. While many associate occupational therapy with pediatric care or physical rehabilitation, its impact in mental health settings is equally significant.

Mental health occupational therapists assist clients in practicing essential life skills, developing strategies for greater independence, building resilience to manage psychological distress, and gaining a deeper understanding of their conditions.

Overview

Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in mental health treatment by focusing on developing and enhancing skills needed for effective daily functioning. If you or a loved one is working with a mental health occupational therapist, understanding their contributions can help you advocate for the highest quality care.

Occupational Therapy’s Roots in Mental Health

Occupational therapy originally emerged from mental health care, with most therapists historically working in psychiatric settings. The foundational belief was that engagement in meaningful, productive activities fosters mental wellness and supports recovery.

Today, mental health treatment encompasses diverse approaches including therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and self-help strategies, all integral to recovery. Although the number of occupational therapists in mental health has declined in recent years, evolving care models are creating new opportunities for their involvement.

Recognizing how mental health conditions impact daily functioning, occupational therapy helps individuals optimize their abilities to navigate their environments, contributing significantly to coping, treatment, and recovery.

Contributions of Occupational Therapists in Mental Health Teams

Occupational therapists bring a holistic skill set ideal for mental health care, combining physical health knowledge with expertise in:

• Cognitive assessments
• Sensory processing techniques
• Building therapeutic relationships
• Facilitating group dynamics
• Supporting activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Enhancing socio-emotional skills

The primary goal remains to help clients participate in daily activities as independently as possible.

Common Mental Health Occupational Therapy Interventions

Research highlights four main intervention categories:

• Psychosocial interventions
• Psychoeducational programs
• Cognitive therapies
• Exercise-based approaches

Examples of typical occupational therapy-led groups include:

• Life skills development
• Job readiness training
• Therapeutic cooking classes
• Financial management workshops
• Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP)
• Leisure and recreational activities
• Nutrition education
• Sensory integration groups
• Independent living skills
• Emotional regulation techniques

Psychoeducational groups are particularly valuable, providing clients with knowledge about their conditions and empowering them with tools to manage symptoms effectively.

Calming and Grounding Techniques

Occupational therapists emphasize the importance of engaging in meaningful daily activities to support mental health. They guide clients in using familiar hobbies such as music, card games, writing, cooking, or cleaning as coping strategies.

OTs also specialize in sensory strategies that help individuals process environmental information more effectively. For those with sensory processing challenges, these techniques promote calmness and safety by stimulating the vestibular, proprioceptive, and deep pressure touch systems.

Sensory Rooms

Occupational therapists contribute to the development of sensory rooms within mental health units—safe spaces equipped with tools designed to reduce agitation and promote relaxation. These rooms have been instrumental in significantly decreasing the use of seclusion and restraints in some facilities.

Evaluating Readiness for Discharge

OTs utilize standardized assessments to evaluate a patient’s preparedness for discharge, offering critical insights to the treatment team regarding ongoing care needs and recovery progress.

Addressing Physical Health

Unique to occupational therapists is their expertise in physical rehabilitation, allowing them to address overlapping physical health issues frequently present alongside mental health conditions. This may include strength training, wheelchair adjustments, and recommending adaptive equipment.

Promoting Safe Independence

Ultimately, occupational therapists aim to support clients in safely participating in daily activities. If mental health challenges interfere with this ability, OTs can advocate for appropriate resources and support to meet individual needs.

Developing Self-Care Practices

OTs assist individuals in cultivating manageable self-care routines encompassing bathing, dressing, eating, and grooming. Given that symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety can hinder these tasks, tailored strategies help improve overall well-being.

Specializations and Credentials

Occupational therapists must complete a master’s degree from an accredited program and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to practice. Those focusing on mental health can pursue additional Board Certification in Mental Health (BCMH).

Many OTs gain expertise in trauma-informed care and recovery models through education and training. Some also earn Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) credentials.

Key Takeaways

Mental health occupational therapists are essential in treatment and recovery, enhancing independent living skills and teaching coping mechanisms. They assess functional abilities, create personalized care plans, and develop structured approaches to skill building, all aiming to improve quality of life.

For further insights, explore topics on therapy initiation and mental health support.

References:

1. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Occupational therapy for mental health.
2. American Occupational Therapy Association. Occupational therapy’s role in community mental health.
3. Bolt M, Ikking T, Baaijen R, Saenger S. Occupational therapy and primary care. Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2019;20:e27.
4. American Occupational Therapy Association. About occupational therapy.
5. Rocamora-Montenegro M, et al. Occupational therapy interventions for adults with severe mental illness: A scoping review. BMJ Open. 2021;11(10):e047467.
6. Chen C, et al. Self-care ability of patients with severe mental disorders: Community investigation in Beijing, China. Front Public Health. 2022;10:847098.

Additional Reading:

• Stoffel VC. Opportunities for occupational therapy behavioral health: a call to action. Am J Occup Ther. 2013;67(2):140-5.

By Sarah Lyon, OTR/L
Sarah Lyon is a board-certified occupational therapist and founder of OT Potential.

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