Mental Health Occupational Therapy

Lifeworks OT provides occupational therapy services for a wide range of common mental health and psychiatric conditions, including:

• Anxiety disorders: such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder
• Depressive disorders: such as Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, and Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Bipolar disorder: characterized by episodes of mania and depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a condition that can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): characterized by a pattern of unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders: such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Schizophrenia and psychosis

Our occupational therapists use evidence-based techniques and interventions tailored to the specific needs of each individual, working closely with other mental health professionals to provide comprehensive and effective care. Our goal is to empower individuals to live their best life possible, despite the challenges of mental health conditions, by supporting them in their daily living activities, building their self-esteem and confidence, improving their social skills and relationships, increasing their participation in meaningful activities, and helping them return to work or school.

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health condition and would like to learn more about how occupational therapy can help, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We are here to support you in your journey towards recovery and improved well-being.

A person may be suitable for LifeWorks Occupational Therapy’s Mental Health Recovery service if they experience any of the following:

• Difficulty functioning within their work, home, social or recreational environments
• Lack of motivation in managing their self-care, or doing their usual daily activities
• Difficulty coping at work or home
• Poor sleep
• Withdrawal from friends and family or preferring to be alone
• Disorganisation
• Loss of role (e.g. worker, partner, caregiver)
• Feelings of failure, inadequacy or loneliness
• Increased use of substances to cope (e.g. alcohol)
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Lack of meaning or purpose in life
• Lack of self-confidence or poor self esteem
• Struggling with relationships
• Chronic fatigue
• Unemployment or difficulty finding work
• Struggling to negotiate the health care or welfare systems

Absolutely!

Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and other health professionals often work together to assist people to achieve their goals. These therapies complement each other to ensure that you achieve the best recovery outcomes.

Psychologists provide therapies designed to change the way someone is thinking – or how they respond to their own thoughts.

Occupational Therapists provide therapies designed to change the way someone is functioning. We are concerned with how a person’s mental health condition is affecting what they can do, and we help them develop skills or change their environment to improve function.

You don’t need a referral from a health professional to access our services. You can simply call and make an appointment, or book online.

If you wish to claim a medicare rebate under Better Access to Mental Health or under Chronic Disease Management you will need a referral. We can often help you to identify your eligibility for Medicare rebates or even contact your GP to help you arrange for a referral

When a referral is received from another health professional, like your GP, we will contact you by phone. This provides an opportunity to answer any questions you might have and to schedule an initial appointment. This initial appointment can be held at our clinics or an occupational therapist conducting a home visit (see “Tell me more about home visiting”). The initial appointment involves an interview and any other assessments needed to give us an understanding of your current circumstances and concerns. At the second appointment we will work with you to set treatment goals and create a treatment plan and then begin treatment. This may include regular appointments and homework tasks.

Your progress is regularly reviewed in consultation with you, and treatment continues until your goals are achieved or treatment is ended by either you or your therapist.

LifeWorks Occupational Therapy services are delivered in a professional, confidential and collaborative way. Clients are involved in every aspect of the treatment process, including identifying goals and formulating their individual treatment plans.

Occupational Therapists understand that your environment has a significant impact on your ability to perform tasks. Life skills can’t always be fully developed away from the places in which we live and the situations we experience in our home, our workplace and our community.

At times, modifying your home or work environment will be a part of the treatment process. With this is mind, it is important to include these environments during all aspects of treatment, including during the initial assessment and during any subsequent interventions and therapies. Home visiting also makes it very easy for you to attend appointments and allows therapies to be delivered in a space where you feel at home.Clinic rooms, work-sites, schools, and other community-based venues may also be used where appropriate.