EMPOWERED WELLNESS
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) supports people across the lifespan in doing the activities they want and need to do, the things that "occupy" their daily lives.
This is accomplished through the therapeutic use of everyday activities, based on the client's personal interests and needs. OTs help you live life to its fullest, no matter your health condition, disability, or risk factors.
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OT prioritizes the following:
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Using person-centered interventions
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Facilitating self-analysis and problem-solving
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Assessing performance strengths & challenges
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Action planning within the context of daily life
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Developing individualized treatment plans
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Returning clients to valued activities & roles
What do occupational therapists do?
An occupational therapy (OT) practitioner can help you live life to its fullest, no matter your health condition, disability, or risk factors. We support people across the lifespan in doing the activities they want and need to do.An OT practitioner will focus on YOU—your goals, your activities, and your independence  Occupational therapy considers the complex relationship between you, the activity, and the environment in which the activity takes place. This is accomplished through the therapeutic use of everyday activities based on the client's personal interests and needs. ​ Occupational therapy services can help you: -Stay as healthy and productive as possible while managing chronic medical conditions -Regain skills you need to function in your job after an injury at work -Provide support to older adults experiencing cognitive or physical changes. -Maintain or rebuild your independence, such as using assistive devices so you can care for yourself after a stroke. -Achieve goals, such as helping your teenager with a developmental disability gain the skills to transition from high school to independent living as an adult. -Participate in the everyday activities important to you, such as driving, visiting friends, going to church, and other activities that keep you involved with your community.
What are "occupations"?​
“Your life is made up of occupations—meaningful everyday activities. These occupations can include many roles, such as being a parent, a friend, a spouse, a tennis player, an artist, a cook, or a musician. We generally don’t think about our daily occupations until we have trouble doing them. Everyone has occupations— from the toddler whose occupations are play and learning to develop important skills, to the older adult whose occupations are engaging with family and friends and managing his or her home. If you are recovering from an accident or injury, your valued occupations may be disrupted. Occupational therapy incorporates your valued occupations into the rehabilitation process." Sources: https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Manage/Presentation-Resources/Brochure/What-Is-OT-brochure.pdf https://www.aota.org/about/for-the-media/about-occupational-therapy
What is "sensory processing"?
Sensory Processing is the brain's ability to receive, interpret, and respond to sensory information from the environment. This can affect how a person processes sensory input from their surroundings, including sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, proprioception (awareness of your body position), and interoception (the ability to sense internal bodily states, such as hunger, pain, or changes in energy levels). Sensory processing challenges can manifest as the following: •Over-Responsiveness (Hypersensitivity): The brain perceives normal sensory inputs as overwhelming or intense. •Under-Responsiveness (Hyposensitivity): The brain does not register sensory input effectively, leading to a craving for more intense sensations •Sensory Seeking: Constantly looking for sensory stimulation to feel regulated. Individuals may constantly move, fidget, or seek out tactile or auditory stimulation. •Sensory Avoidance: Actively avoiding sensory input to prevent discomfort. Individuals may refuse to eat foods with certain textures or avoid wearing certain fabrics due to how they feel on the skin. •Mixed Responses: Some individuals may exhibit a combination of sensory-seeking and avoiding behaviors, depending on the context and the specific sense involved.
What is "lifestyle management"?
It is all of the activities you do in your day-to-day life to manage your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It includes things like: Establishing a good balance between productivity and rest -Using stress management strategies -Managing symptoms/ flare-ups -Having social connections, going to appointments -Getting and taking your medications -Exercising regularly -Eating a healthy diet.
Does teletherapy really work?
Yes! Research shows positive therapeutic effects of using tele-therapy in occupational therapy practice. (1) Having appointments online makes it easier to find time for your appointments in the busyness of daily life. It is very helpful for clients who have difficulty with time management, have low energy or pain, or are unable to drive themselves. 1: Hung KN G, Fong KN. Effects of telerehabilitation in occupational therapy practice: A systematic review. Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2019;32(1):3-21. doi:10.1177/1569186119849119
Are in-person appointments available?
Appointments are mainly online using live video calling, with some in-person appointments available on a case-by-case basis in the Fresno, CA area. The video calling platform we use is easy to use, even for those who are not confident with technology.
Do you accept insurance?
At this time, we are private pay only. Private pay gives us the flexibility and freedom to create a more valuable experience for our clients. Insurance companies often impose limitations on what diagnoses are covered and limit treatment options. With private pay, we are no longer bound by the insurance company's restrictions, and we can work together to create a treatment plan that makes sense for your unique needs.
How often do we meet & for how long?
Based on a review of the current literature and research from Aleek's dissertation, the recommended frequency and duration of appointments is 6-8 weeks, with a session every week or every other week. This amount provides enough time for developing the necessary skills and problem-solving barriers to success. However, this is just a suggestion. You have the freedom to see us for as long as you like and as often as you like, whether that means more often or less often.
