What do occupational therapists do in mental health

At the Johns Hopkins Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, our occupational therapists specialize in helping patients with mental health disorders. Our occupational therapists are experts in performing behavioral health assessments, which offer insight into a patient’s condition. They have strong observation and creative problem-solving skills, and understand human development and function across different diagnoses.

Why Choose Johns Hopkins

Patients may have challenges in the areas of planning tasks, organizing, problem solving and decision making. They may also have difficulties with controlling emotions, which can make it difficult to function and be independent in society. Occupational therapy can help improve on or compensate for these challenges. Our occupational therapists use standardized and nonstandardized screening and assessments to make recommendations for treatment, which may include: 

• Patient and caregiver education
• Practicing life management skills
• Adapting tasks or environment to become more independent
• Developing coping mechanisms to deal with emotional problems

Psychiatric Occupational Therapy Team

Our psychiatric occupational therapy team works closely with patients with mental illness. Our therapists help these patients improve their function in work, play, leisure, social life, self-care and community living skills. Our team is highly trained in assessing these skills and making recommendations for treatment and safe discharge.

• Bobby Walsh, DBH, OTR/L, BCMH | Team Lead

  AOTA Board Certification in Mental Health

  

• Tess Spence, MS, OTR/L | Clinical Specialist

  

Helping Patients Enjoy Life to the Fullest

Our occupational therapists are trained to identify difficulties in performing daily activities. They help address these underlying problems through the activities listed above. Our team can work with patients and their loved ones to improve these and other life management skills:

• Creating and following a productive daily schedule
• Taking care of personal hygiene
• Managing one’s own health
• Navigating the community and using public transportation
• Organizing and following a medication regimen
• Interacting appropriately in work or social situations
• Working or volunteering
• Planning and cooking healthy meals
• Managing budget and finances 

Developing Habits That Are Important to You

Habit training was the first occupational therapy treatment model. It was introduced by Eleanor Clarke Slagle, with input from psychiatrist Adolf Meyer, when both worked at Johns Hopkins in the early 1900s. Habit training focuses on balancing activities in the areas of work, rest and play, which can be unbalanced in people with mental health disorders. When occupational therapy was fairly new, habit training was heavily focused on arts and crafts. Now, our updated approach emphasizes meaningful activities rooted in independent living and quality of life.

Request an appointment with one of our mental health occupational therapy experts to discuss how we can help you or your loved one.

Locations and Referrals

Our psychiatric occupational therapy team is based in The Johns Hopkins Hospital and offers both inpatient and outpatient services, as well as partial hospitalization. Contact us if you are looking to make an appointment or refer a patient.

2020/21 Update: Medicare Sessions Doubled to 20
Announced in the 2020/21 Federal budget, subsidised mental health sessions through Medicare have doubled from 10 to 20 per calendar year.

The new scheme began 9 October 2020, and will run until 30 June 2022 for in-person sessions and until 31 March 2021 for telehealth or phone sessions. If you've already used your 10 sessions, you'll need to return to your GP for a referral for the additional sessions.

If you’re looking to begin with mental health sessions, first visit your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. With that in hand, you can then be referred to an allied mental health service that accepts the Medicare rebate.

After receiving a referral, you can find a local (or telehealth) mental health occupational therapist on OTA’s ‘Find an OT’ directory. Search for Better Access to Mental Health (BAMH) under the funding scheme here: https://www.otaus.com.au/find-an-ot

Occupational therapists working in mental health help people to achieve the everyday activities that people engage in and find meaningful. They draw on a range of psychological and occupational therapy strategies to help people understand and cope with their daily function, productivity and capacity through the prescription of graded tasks and activities.

Occupational therapists in mental health use individual and group programs/activities to enhance independence in everyday activities. An occupational therapist may help to develop coping strategies for people overcoming their mental health issues or improving confidence and self esteem in social situations.

Occupational therapists assist individuals to:

• Develop skills to live more independently
• Deal with stress and emotions
• Link in with the community
• Cope with grief and loss
• Manage self esteem
• Develop communication skills
• Structure daily life

How can an occupational therapist help someone with anxiety?

What do occupational therapists do in Mental Health UK?