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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational Therapy supports people in living their lives with greater ease, confidence, and meaning. Whether you are navigating physical challenges, emotional regulation, sensory processing differences, neurodivergence, injury, chronic pain, or life transitions, occupational therapy focuses on helping you participate more fully in the activities that matter most to you.
At Stratford Occupational Therapy and Counselling Services, we understand that well-being is shaped by the interaction between mind, body, environment, and daily life demands. Our occupational therapists take a holistic, strengths-based approach, recognizing that challenges in daily functioning are often connected to emotional health, routines, relationships, and sensory experiences.
Occupational therapy offers practical, personalized support grounded in evidence-based practice. Rather than focusing solely on deficits or diagnoses, we work collaboratively to build skills, adapt environments, and develop strategies that support independence, regulation, and participation across home, school, work, and community settings. Each plan of care is tailored to the individual’s goals, values, and lived experience, empowering clients to move forward with greater confidence and capability.
IN HOME FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENTS
Our in-home assessments are individualized and look at the following:
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A person’s ability to perform their day-to-day activities in their own home environment.
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This includes self-care activities (ie. dressing, bathing, grooming, mobility), home management tasks (ie meal preparation, cleaning, banking, outdoor management) and leisure activities.
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Our therapists assess physical abilities (strength, range of motion, endurance), cognitive skills (i.e. attention, memory, organization) and psychological status (mood, anxiety, motivation).
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The environment in which you live and social/community supports are also considered, keeping in mind your personal goals and meaningful activities.
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Suggestions are provided to improve your satisfaction, independence and safety in important everyday tasks and recommendations may include specialized equipment, adapted ways of performing tasks, or changes to the environment.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT & INTERVENTION
The meaningful everyday activities or occupations that make up our life, such as cooking, exercising, grocery shopping, or participating in hobbies can be impacted by mental health. When we are unable to participate in our most valued activities, due to injury, illness, disabilities, or social and environmental constraints, Occupational Therapists (OTs) can empower those to find solutions while offering education and support on symptom management.
What makes Occupational Therapists unique from other Mental Health service providers is our ability to meet clients in their home or in the community. Occupational Therapists acknowledge the significance of how our environment influences our mental health. Activities in treatment can be therapeutic in that they can provide mindful awareness, a sense of relaxation, and a soothing sensory experience (i.e. pottery, painting or baking).
Additionally, activity can be used for assessment to determine barriers and symptoms that are impacting participation. Occupational Therapists are trained in holistic approaches and often draw from evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction to name a few. Occupational Therapists believe that participating in daily activities is vital for mental health and well-being and are trained to be both creative as well as client-centered in our approach.
SLEEP CONSULTATION & COACHING
Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people to have balance and independence in the activities they do each day. Evidence shows that improving quality of sleep can help a person to manage better and is directly linked to quality of life. Occupational Therapists views sleep as a foundational "occupation" and work to help clients, groups, and communities manage and develop healthy and effective routines and habits to promote sleep.
OTs address sleep issues by providing sleep hygiene education, creating personalized routines, optimizing environments, and using techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i), sensory strategies, and relaxation techniques to improve overall quality of life. OTs work with all ages to improve sleep, from infancy to adulthood, to help individuals participate more fully in their meaningful daily activities.
OT FOR KIDS & TEENS
Occupational therapists are most interested in assisting people in therapy through their daily ‘occupations’, for children their primary ‘occupation’ is play. Play is fundamental for brain and nervous system development, particularly as children learn about who they are and the world around them. Our services are specifically motivated to engage children through a fun and creative environment to challenge themselves in the development of new skills, build confidence to know their potential and experience healthier connections with those around them.
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Through play, your OT may assist your children specifically in:
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Sensory Processing - understanding your child’s physical sensations and nervous system needs.
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Emotional regulation and behavior – through understanding how children modulate, experience and expresses emotions.
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Self-care skills – encouraging independence through activities of daily living.
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Fine motor and coordination skills – how children use the small muscles in their hands to coordinate between movement and what they are seeing.
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Social and Play skills – through connection with others encouraging diversity, interaction and understanding.
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Occupational therapy for kids, may be available in 1:1 setting as well as small groups depending on your child’s needs.
CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT
Most people have experienced pain at some point in their life, whether it is from a traumatic injury, sleeping on a poor mattress, or from improper lifting of heavy objects. When pain is persistent and impacts your ability to participate in activities of daily living, it may be worth considering receiving treatment for chronic pain management. Occupational Therapists (OTs) play a significant role with respect to pain management.
This often means supporting clients with tools in order to self-manage symptoms and to understand more about their pain experience. OTs draw on psychology, neuroscience, neurophysiology and various therapeutic approaches to support clients to have increased independence and improved quality of life when living with persistent pain. An OT will work with you to consider your routine and activity patterns in relation to your pain symptoms and goals. You may also be supported to have various relaxation strategies to reduce muscle tension and to manage the distressing emotions that can come along with pain.
RETURN TO WORK CONSULTATION
If you have experienced a workplace injury, physical or psychological in nature, you may benefit from services from an Occupational Therapist (OT). OTs can play a significant role in the return to work journey as they use their skillset to mend the gap between the person's current abilities and the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, social, and physical demands of a job within the context of the work environment.
Your Occupational Therapist may assist you in:
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Providing education on strategies for pain management, emotional regulation, work-life balance, and more
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Creating a gradual return to work plan to support workers to meet and sustain their return-to-work goals
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Completing work simulations or workplace visits to promote readiness, analyze and adapt tasks, and consider the work environment
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Discussions with workers and employers to establish mutual goals, solutions, and expectations
This process involves working closely with all stakeholders to negotiate and facilitate a successful return to work and can help meeting responsibilities under the Duty to Accommodate legislation.
ERGONOMIC CONSULTATION
A well-designed workspace and schedule are essential to our wellness, productivity, and efficiency. Occupational Therapists collaborate with you to gather information on your work environment, the tasks you need to carry out, and any specific issues you may be experiencing.
Once the evaluation is completed, the OT will work with you and your employer (if appropriate) to provide recommendations and education to optimize your positioning, comfort, and overall functioning at work. Recommendations may include adjustments to existing equipment, new equipment suggestions, modifications to the work environment, and education on stretches, exercises, task rotation and breaks. Recommendations can be provided in writing following the ergonomic assessment. The goal of good ergonomics is to make sure our work fits us instead of the other way around.
AGING IN PLACE & FALL PREVENTION
Our services include assessment and treatment of older adults in their home environment to optimize their independence and safety with the tasks that matter most. By working closely with individuals and their families in their own home, we assess areas of concern and provide suggestions to:
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minimize risk of falls
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improve efficiency and safety
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conserve energy
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reduce risk of injury
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help manage pain
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maintain or regain engagement with important daily tasks
Treatment may include recommendations for adaptive equipment and/or home adaptations, education in falls management, practice of safe techniques and/or use of mobility aids, caregiver education and referral to community supports.
COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT & REHABILITATION
Have you ever misplaced where you put your car keys? Or forgotten the name of someone you have just met? These are normal human experiences and highlight how memory and attention can be fallible and are not typically reasons for concern. However, barriers with respect to cognitive function can impact our ability to carry out daily activities. Cognitive skills can be utilized in a way that helps us become better at learning new skills and developing ourselves.
Cognitive skills include: memory, attention, logical reasoning, planning, problem solving, organizing, and many others. Occupational Therapists (OTs) are trained to assess cognitive barriers to your everyday activities. OTs are creative in how we approach the assessment process, we may utilize an activity that you enjoy doing and break it down (i.e. cooking or playing a game of cards) or we may utilize more standardized assessments. For individuals who have sustained a stroke, brain injury, or concussion or for those whom have been diagnosed with Dementia, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or a Mental Health Disorder you may find yourself experiencing barriers related to cognitive function.
Cognitive rehabilitation is an evidence-based treatment that comprises therapeutic services, specifically aimed at restoring as many cognitive functions as possible while also proposing compensatory strategies to more fully cope with deficits. OTs are trained to think holistically and creatively in order to find an approach that works for your specific needs in order to minimize barriers through education and support.
ADHD COACHING
Have you ever heard the myth that ‘ADHD only occurs in children and resolves itself into adulthood’? It is well known that children with ADHD can have challenges with regards to learning, academic achievement and emotional regulation. Children who have ADHD later in life will still have challenges that will impact other domains of their functioning as adults.
Occupational Therapists have much to offer in providing interventions for children and adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). OTs offer an integrative, strength-based approach in order to teach strategies and tools for organization and planning, monitoring and regulating sensory input, and advocating for environmental modifications that facilitate occupational engagement.
OTs can help adults with ADHD recognize the relationship between mood, thoughts, performance, and sensory stimulation. Just like no person with ADHD is the same, each therapy plan is catered to meet your specific needs and goals.
FOCUS FIT - EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING COACHING PROGRAM
FocusFit is an executive function and movement-based program for neurodiverse children and teens. Motor skills promote the development of foundational executive function skills related to planning, attention, and physical inhibition, problem-solving, self-monitoring, and precision. Movement can also improve mood, alertness, and vitality, as well as provide children with the necessary skills to participate in daily routines, sports, and social activities. Each week, your child would be provided with movements, exercises and strategies that are provided challenge and fortify execute function skills in pursuit of their goals.
EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION FOR OCD
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based intervention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As mental health Occupational Therapists, we support individuals to gradually face feared thoughts, situations, or sensations (exposure) while learning to resist or reduce compulsive behaviors and avoidance (response prevention). The CBT model for OCD helps clients and families understand the "OCD cycle" that is contributing to this pattern.
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Our approach focuses on how OCD impacts daily routines, roles, and meaningful activities such as self-care, work, school, and relationships. Clients are supported to tolerate distress and uncertainty while engaging in valued occupations without relying on compulsions. ERP is delivered in a collaborative, compassionate, and practical way, with strategies designed to be used in real-life settings to support long-term recovery, participation, and independence.
WHEELCHAIR SEATING & MOBILITY
Occupational Therapists play a key role in helping a client obtain the right seating system for their needs.
An occupational therapist may complete the following:
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an individualized seating assessment based on physical, functional and environmental needs.
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a detailed wheelchair prescription (i.e. manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, scooter)
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collaboration/trial with local vendors.
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completion required documentation for insurance company/funding agency if applicable.
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Provide training for current or future seating system.