What Is Occupational Therapy?

People usually use the word "occupation" to refer to a job or work environment. As a result, occupational therapy (OT) is often mistaken for counseling on topics like job growth or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, occupational therapy services are unrelated to your profession. Instead, occupational therapy is a rehabilitation approach that can have certain similarities to physical therapy (PT), though it is a distinct approach. 

Developed by the American Occupational Therapy Association, the goal of occupational therapy is to help a client learn or relearn to accomplish daily tasks and improve other skills they need to take care of themselves. Read on for a more in-depth answer to the question of “What is occupational therapy?” as well as to get an overview of the many different types of occupational therapy that exist today. We’ll also talk about how you can receive mental health support separate from OT if you’re facing challenges that are affecting your emotional well-being.

Occupational therapy

Defining “activities of daily living”

To understand occupational therapy, it can help to understand the phrase "activities of daily living." Activities of daily living (ADL) are the core, basic tasks that a given client needs to do to be able to manage their daily life. Examples of items on the list might include:

• Eating
• Bathing
• Using the restroom
• Transferring (being able to move in and out of bed or a chair without help)
• Maintaining continence (having control of your bladder and bowels)

In addition, a person’s occupational therapy program might include other activities, which often fall under the category of “instrumental daily activities,” such as community mobility and safety procedures.

Finally, other tasks may also be considered important enough to a particular client’s well-being to be routinely included in occupational therapy, such as those related to:

• Education
• Leisure activities
• Work
• Play
• Social interaction

What is occupational therapy vs. physical therapy?

Occupational therapy and physical therapy can share many of the same goals and components. Both are led by educators and trainers, and both can help a client practice skills in order to perform daily tasks and living functions. In addition, both may help clients heal from and then avoid injuries. However, each approach has its own unique focus and methods.

Physical therapy aims to strengthen the muscles, while occupational therapy helps make it possible to take care of yourself—whether that's physically, mentally, socially, or in another practical way. One of the basic tenets of OT is to help individuals participate in the important activities of their lives in a meaningful way. Of course, it's often easier to complete the daily tasks when your muscles work as effectively as possible, which PT may help with. Therefore, the two types of therapy can be related and may sometimes be used for the same client during a rehabilitation period.

About occupational therapists

Occupational therapists generally must receive specific education and training in order to work in this field, such as an undergraduate degree, a master's degree, and completion of a certain number of supervised clinical hours. OT providers may sometimes work with occupational therapy assistants to provide treatment. They might specialize in working with clients of a certain age (e.g., adults, older adults, or children) or those with certain, specific needs.

Why a person might seek occupational therapy

According to the National Library of Medicine, a person could need occupational therapy at any time in their life. For example, a child might go to occupational therapy if a doctor, therapist, or social worker determines that they have a mental or physical condition that may limit their functioning. Another common situation is when an adult becomes disabled, in which case their doctor might recommend occupational therapy. Or later in life, a person’s gerontologist might refer them to occupational therapy if a health condition prevents them from doing certain necessary activities.

Finding occupational therapists

Occupational therapy (OT) programs can be found in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, schools, workplaces, clients' homes, healthcare clinics, personal practice, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, independent facilities, and other locations. You might use a directory to find a provider who offers the type of care you need, or you might ask your doctor for a referral. 

What happens during an OT session?

Occupational therapy sessions typically consist of education and training. The training can be related to mental tasks or physical strength, coordination, and balance. An occupational therapist may also teach a client techniques related to how to interact socially, such as helping them practice communication skills. 

In general, the content of an OT session depends on the client’s unique needs, which can vary widely. Whether they're working with someone on a simpler task like bathing or a more complex task like driving, the therapist will generally cater the treatment to the client’s current needs and abilities with their future goals in mind.

Assessments related to daily living activities

The first occupational therapy (OT) session is typically an assessment where the occupational therapist goes through the client's medical history and their list of activities of daily living. They'll ask the client about any problems they have with their ADL and may request specifics about how they do them. For instance, they might ask the client if they have any problems eating. If they respond "no" because they're able to put food in their mouth and swallow, the occupational therapist may ask more specific questions, such as:

• Do you cook your meals?
• Do you buy your groceries?
• Do you have someone who does these things for you?

Another part of the occupational therapy assessment will aim to find out what the client would like to be able to do and gauge their motivation for getting there. Finally, the therapist might also request that the client perform certain everyday activities during the assessment. For example, they might ask the client to get up and down from a chair or bed, if possible, so they can observe any difficulties they might have in this process. After the assessment, they'll write up their findings and create a treatment plan.

Occupational therapy activities

If you don't know why you're doing the OT exercises you’re given, it may be difficult to stay motivated. That’s why an OT provider will typically tell you the therapeutic use of each exercise or activity. Some of the activities may require special equipment, but most of it is fairly inexpensive or can be used regularly at an OT practice as part of one’s treatment.

Types of occupational therapy services

Occupational therapy is used for people of all ages and circumstances. As a result, occupational therapists can choose from any of a large number of specialties, some of which are listed below.

Pediatric OT

OT is often helpful for children or young people who currently have or have experienced one of the following conditions:

• Child development disabilities
• A form of neurodivergence, such as ADHD
• Learning disabilities
• Mental disorders such as depression or schizophrenia
• Physical disabilities such as low vision or a hearing impairment
• Injury, abuse, or neglect

If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.

Early intervention programs led by therapists often include occupational therapy as one of their modalities. Children as young as two years old may benefit from occupational therapy if they need it.

OT for those with autism

Occupational therapy for autism is a specialty where therapists work with children, adolescents, or adults with autism spectrum disorder to help them manage social and communication difficulties as well as participate in their ADLs.

Sessions may take place in a school or daycare if the client is a child. For adults on the autism spectrum with high support needs, the sessions may take place in an adult care facility or in the client’s home.

Geriatric OT

Geriatric occupational therapy is usually focused on the basic activities of daily living. As a person ages, they may lose their ability to do everyday tasks, particularly if they experience certain health conditions. Chewing and swallowing, bathing, toileting, getting in and out of bed, or controlling one’s bladder and bowels, for example, may slowly or suddenly become more difficult. Others may need to relearn many skills after they've been temporarily or partially disabled following a stroke, for example. 

Occupational therapy can often help older people stay independent in their own homes for longer by promoting physical activity and implementing modifications where needed. Furthermore, it may help them more comfortably live with Alzheimer's or dementia, arthritis, or another chronic condition an older adult may face.

OT related to mental health

Occupational therapy for mental health is a growing field. People with mental disorders such as anxiety/panic attacks, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other illnesses are sometimes referred to occupational therapy or take OT classes in a hospital setting. This type of OT, usually in conjunction with other forms of treatment like talk therapy and medication, could help them learn self-care practices and reduce the risk of symptom relapse.

Physical rehabilitation OT

Occupational therapy practitioners who specialize in physical rehabilitation usually work with clients with injuries or permanent disabilities. People who have been seriously injured usually need occupational therapy for some time before they can resume their certain daily activities.

In addition, people who have always been disabled or who become disabled later in life can also benefit from occupational therapy. The goal is usually to help these clients learn to complete their ADLs in a way that's best suited to their unique needs and circumstances. This occupational therapy specialty is not PT, but it's often used in conjunction with PT as part of the patient's treatment plan.

Driving and community mobility

Driving can be such a crucial skill that it's hard to survive without it in some locations. A driving and community mobility occupational therapist may teach disabled clients how to drive and/or use adaptive equipment. First, they may assess whether the client is able to drive and, if so, help advocate for them throughout any court cases intended to take away their license, if applicable. If the client is not able to drive, the therapist may focus on other means of community mobility, such as riding the bus or taking a taxi.

Environmental modification OT

How limited a client is by a disability often has a lot to do with their environment. Occupational therapists who specialize in environmental modification may evaluate the client’s home, school, and/or workplace to determine if any modifications may be needed to support the client in living, studying, or working there.

Then, they can create a plan for the modifications. They may also work with a landlord, principal, boss, or home improvement company to ensure the modifications are installed correctly. Examples of common accommodations include:

• Bathroom grab bars
• Ramps
• Wider doors
• Special hardware, such as flat door handles
• Lower or higher kitchen counters according to need

Feeding, eating, and swallowing OT

Feeding, eating, and swallowing specialists help clients work on these basic survival needs. Because of certain medical conditions, like multiple sclerosis, or due to age, swallowing can become so impaired that a person may need OT to help them learn or relearn how to do it. This type of therapy, therefore, may involve the physical skills of feeding, eating, and swallowing along with the social and cultural aspects of eating.

Low vision OT

Low vision specialists in the occupational therapy field treat people who have low vision due to eye disease, injury, or brain injury. They may help their clients procure adaptive equipment and teach them how to use it. They also work with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other vision specialists.

Occupational therapist evaluations

The online resources available for occupational therapy have increased tremendously in recent years, especially for children. Clients can find games, exercises, puzzles, charts, books, equipment, and suggestions with only a few clicks. Here are some resources that might interest an occupational therapy client:

• Tools For Children
• OT Tools For Autism

Occupational therapist evaluations

After a client has been in occupational therapy for a specified period, the therapist may conduct an evaluation to find out how far they've progressed. These patient evaluations are similar to the assessments often completed during the first session. After the therapist completes the evaluation, they can then adjust the treatment plan or create a new one based on the client's progress. This ensures that they stay with the tasks they haven't conquered yet and also advance when they're ready. Their occupational therapy program might change, but the goal is still to promote health and help them do their daily activities.

Online occupational therapy tools and resources

The online resources available for occupational therapy have increased tremendously in recent years, especially for children. Clients can now find games, exercises, puzzles, charts, books, equipment, and suggestions with only a few clicks to supplement in-person OT treatment. Here are some resources that might interest an occupational therapy client:

• Tools For Children
• OT Tools For Autism

Options for receiving mental health support on your well-being journey

If you're participating in OT due to a physical injury or disability, it's not uncommon to also experience mental health challenges. Coping with physical symptoms or limitations can sometimes result in stress, anxiety, or depression. Or, if you're participating in OT to get support for a mental illness, seeking talk therapy as well may also be a recommended part of your treatment plan.

That said, finding the time to locate a talk therapist and then travel to and from their office can be difficult, particularly if you're already attending regular OT appointments and living with certain occupational limitations. In such cases, getting mental health support from a therapist online—in addition to other forms of healthcare you may be receiving—can be a more convenient and readily available option for receiving emotional support.

With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed mental health therapist based on your answers to a brief questionnaire. This can save you time in finding a talk therapist, as can the ability to switch providers on BetterHelp at any time for no additional cost. Once matched, you can meet with your mental health therapist virtually, from anywhere you have an internet connection, so they can provide support as you face life’s challenges.

Research on the effectiveness of online talk therapy

A growing body of research suggests that online therapy can often be as effective as in-person sessions. For instance, consider a 2020 study which suggests that clients experienced “sustained and clinically meaningful improvements” in symptoms of depression and anxiety after undergoing online talk therapy treatment. See below for client reviews of BetterHelp mental health therapists.

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