What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a rehabilitation healthcare profession that helps people participate in everyday activities (“occupations”) despite physical, cognitive or emotional challenges.

Occupations are any activities that are meaningful to a person, which can include daily living skills, leisure and work.

Occupational Therapy originated as a healthcare profession working with soldiers returning from World War I and OTs mainly treated in psychiatric hospitals.

It has expanded to treat people across lifespans from pediatrics to geriatrics and work in many different settings such as hospitals, rehab facilities, mental health, schools and treats a variety of physical, cognitive and mental impairments.

Occupational Therapy takes a holistic and strengths-based approach to treatment and strives to empower people to engage in the activities that are meaningful to them.