Search the Hub

This article will explore both my professional and personal perspectives, beginning with the latter... Having a stroke, from my perspective... It was a normal day on 8th January 2026 - up around 4am, breakfast, then to the YMCA to practice my martial arts. Later that morning, walking down the hall in our house, I noticed my gait had changed and I was beginning to step more heavily onto my left heel. In the 39 years I have worked as an Occupational Therapist, I had occasionally wondered what the onset of a stroke might feel like. As I reached the bedroom, to my horror, I began to suspect I was learning this in real time, as my left hand was also demonstrating a loss of coordination. My wife and I drove to the emergency department (ED), at the US hospital where I had worked for the past twelve years. However, the medical worker there didn't seem to be quite comfortable with performing a neurological exam, diagnosing me with 'dizziness'. We left four hours later, without being seen by a physician. The next day, I found I was exhausted soon after starting my sword training, which convinced me I needed to visit another ED. The resident on duty quickly sent me for CAT scans and then ran me through a well-organised set of neurological assessments . Nothing appeared in the scans, but he strongly encouraged me to travel to a nearby hospital that offered MRI testing, as cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) sometimes take some time to become visible.  Author Bill, engaging in sword training My sister (a retired nurse) was even more directive, with her "GET in the car!" - and we soon headed for a Veterans Administration hospital, thirty miles South. I won't bore you with all the details, but the professionals who make up this service were exemplary in their compassion, expertise - and ability to clearly explain findings to me and my support group (of spouse, daughter, sister and former co-workers). They were very much the 'third leg' of keeping my spirits up and giving me gentle nudges in those first few overwhelming hours. All these people made it possible for me to return home - and begin this article six days later, with the understanding that I had incurred two small CVAs on that first day. While in the VA Medical Center,   one of the first deficits I noted was not being able to use a fork in my left hand while eating. It seemed like meals took twice as long as they should, as I chased food around, and often off my plate... That night, part of what I did while in bed was to analyse the components of my left arm dysmetria . Dysmetria is a difficulty controlling the distance, speed and range of motion required for coordinated movements. In your occupational therapy classes, you will, at some point, have covered activity analysis . I well remember how much I disliked this class, as (for us) it involved analysing the motor, sensory, cognitive and psychological components of macramé ! Yet, were I to be completely honest, it has been one of the most useful life skills I have ever learnt - used in my occupational therapy treatments, leadership duties in the military and woodworking, to name but a few. Bill undertook an activity analysis of macramé I spent the initial days analysing my own activities of daily living (ADLs) and looking for how to use objects in my hospital room to address my dysmetria. Initially, I would reach to touch various body parts. As my ability to touch these improved, I moved to touching parts of my bed, followed by touching objects with a specific finger on the left hand. I was still able to completely extend the arm from supine or sitting positions, but it displayed a definite case of the 'wobbles'. As the ability to accurately point at a distant object improved, I began to concentrate on diminishing the wobbles. The day I could sit on the edge of the bed and not push food off the plate was definitely a thrill... One of the next challenges was being able to tie a hospital gown behind my neck. It was not a boring stay, to be sure! Thoughts for the acute care therapist All too often, a client will say "Well, I'm off to therapy now", meaning physiotherapy (physical therapy), following time with his or her Occupational Therapist. You may be left with the reaction of "What am I, chopped liver?" It is disappointing and will probably always exist as an artifact of our use of daily activities as our therapeutic tool . Not at all as impressive as the equipment found in the gym... Your client will likely want to focus on regaining mobility; that is of vital importance of course. But I recall the response of an Occupational Therapist, who replied something like: "I understand that mobility is vital to your future independence, but you will need to be able to use your hands when you arrive at your destination!" The Occupational Therapist as a teacher In a previous article, Are You Treating the 'Whole' Patient? (2024, on the Hub), I expressed my belief that one of the most important skills we have as Occupational Therapists is our ability to 'get to know' our patients . I cannot emphasise this more strongly or deeply. Take the time to learn your client's history; vocations, avocations (hobbies), interests, etc. In terms that your client/their family can understand, educate them on the physical and neurological components of what has happened to them . Stress to them how occupational therapy will positively impact their ability to return to independence. I cannot begin to recall the number of times a stroke survivor would tell me "I want to work on increasing the strength in my hand/arm." Physicians would remark on how strong my own arm was, even after the CVA. The issue was not with strength, but in my inability to control the limb. Spending acute care time educating your patients may not seem to be a top priority. But understand that your goal is to help build awareness of how to use everyday objects and activities to increase their ability to function post-discharge. You won't be there; if your client returns home and spends their day sitting in front of YouTube, the Occupational Therapist has failed them... The client returns home I believe the weakest leg of therapy occurs post-discharge and involves compliance - or rather a lack thereof, once they return home.  To create an effective home program you must explore how the client's daily routine may be used to help them in recovery . I don't think therapy works well when you simply provide a fixed home program; this likely goes out of date soon after they return to their home setting. In the 'old days', Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists always performed a visitation as discharge approached. This doesn't consistently happen anymore - making helping the client to recognise home treatment opportunities more difficult. My own experience? Upon my own discharge back home, I used seemingly unrelated activities to work on retraining the arm and hand . Above is a wooden dachshund puzzle my wife had jigsawed years back. It sits beside my chair and gets taken apart and put back together multiple times each day: Can I hold the parts with the left hand? Can I assemble with fewer drops than yesterday? Do I see any perpetual deficits in recognising how they fit together? Imagine the thrill that I experienced, the first time I was able to hold a fork while cutting food with my right hand... Remember that you, the Occupational Therapist, are the expert in activity analysis . So use your skills to help your patient understand why putting a puzzle together can help his or her recovery. Encourage them to find other objects or challenges than those you suggest. Maybe one assignment can be to find or create a new activity. Your job is to teach them the skills to continue their own rehabilitation independently, as therapy time will always be too short. I don't practice for 'X' minutes per day; I stop and try multiple tasks throughout the day. Standing in the bathroom this morning, I looked around and discovered yet another set of possibilities. Could I accurately touch the objects on this shelf with the left hand? Could I do it with eyes closed? When I worked in the outpatient clinic, I commonly employed a strategy of having a client reach out and touch an object three times with eyes open, then do the same with eyes closed. Now at home, it was initially quite a challenge for me - but the arm soon began to accurately find the target. To make things more interesting, I made smaller objects in the nail grooming kit my targets (lower left of photo). Finally, I worked on picking up any three objects in front of me, with my eyes closed. One of the concepts this modification to the original task introduces is grading . As you read through this article you will have encountered other examples of grading. You are looking at offering your client a 'just-right challenge': Too easy and it's not really doing any good. Too difficult and the patient will grow frustrated and stop trying.  I constantly graded those initial tasks until I found what I could do with my hand, while still experiencing a challenge. In the clinic, once a patient could accurately reach out and touch my hand, I would tell them "Well no good deed goes unpunished, so we will make this a bit more challenging. Close your eyes; your target is now one inch up and one inch to the right of where it has been." Patients commonly expressed amazement that that they could soon find it. I would then encourage them to ask their spouse, or any visitor that came to the house, to join their 'therapy team'. While in bed at the hospital one night, I was sleeping poorly and recalled being a drummer in a band much earlier in life; see Of Swords, Paradiddles and Solitaire (2020, on the Hub). So I began to perform bilateral drumming sequences - some of which were no long possible. I found that I could still move my left wrist in time with the right, although finger motions were a mess... Let's look at that in more depth for a moment. (It helps if your roommate is as hard of hearing as I am, so you don't awaken them!) When my hands were close to midline , wrist motions - and the digits controlled by the median nerve - were relatively intact. But I could not perform tasks that required quick motions of the 4th and 5th fingers of my left (L) hand. Drummers learn various sequences, called rudiments, one of which involves alternatively performing a beat that goes RLRR LRLL with the drum sticks. The rehabilitation unit did not have drum sticks, but moving my wrists in this rhythm was possible. Initially I could not perform the motions quickly, so I forced myself to slow down (grading) until I reached a speed where I could. Once this was possible, I gradually increased speed. When the wrist was more accurate I moved distally to the fingers - again, gradually increasing speed. I doubt that you will often have a drummer as a client, but we are not trying to teach them drumming, are we? We are adopting the use of occupation as means ; our goal is to return function of a limb, or the ability to perform a cognitive task. During your acute treatments, teach your client how to analyse a task, how to break it down into sub-tasks and then to reassemble those sub-tasks into a whole.  But you must do your homework. Before you can teach this, you must perform activity analysis of the desired task on your own. Help them understand how their home treatment program will help them rebuild those skills. This is tremendously important. If your client doesn't see the relationship between the home program you give them and recovering their independence, they will discard your plan. I worked for a home heath agency for a number of years and enjoyed it, but I was allowed a limited number of visits. If you educate your patient in a limited version of activity analysis, so that they can use objects and activities at home to promote self-treatment, they will be greatly increasing their overall treatment times. However, treatment can easily go wrong if not organised well - as it did for my friend Joan. Joan was discharged home following surgery for appendiceal cancer. The surgeon ordered physiotherapy and occupational therapy, but the therapists did not contact her and came to see her too soon.  Pain control had not yet been well established, so both therapists came at a time when her pain levels prevented her participation in therapy. Essentially, Joan never received therapy... Returning back to my home treatment plan: Yesterday I added standing on the balls of my feet as I shaved, to improve balance. Then I wondered if I could shave with my left hand while doing this. Thankfully, I still have sufficiently functioning neurons to realise that, since I never did that pre-morbidly, it was not likely to end well! Give clients permission to laugh, cry and/or swear... As a client approaches discharge, consider bringing them and their significant other together in a private space. Ask them to talk about how the stroke has affected their lives and/or perception of themself . Long ago, I used to bring patients and spouses into my classroom. Although older, on e couple were newly weds, of just six months. I said, "You may not have even considered that one of you could experience an event like this just six months after you started your lives together." They were silent for a few minutes; my anxiety began to rise. Then they both began to cry. The patient's wife looked at me and said, "Nobody has ever invited us to talk about this." For a time, they drew their attention away from us, speaking with each other about their love and their desire to work together.  Recovering the use of an arm or the ability to walk is vital, but just as important is the ability to talk about these experiences. Believe me, I am so thankful that during my experience of stroke, my own 'team' was there to speak to. Closing thoughts Author Bill, engaging in his much-treasured occupation of drumming Take the time to learn what is important to a client, in terms of pre-morbid activities of daily living. Take the time to understand the mechanisms which resulted in those deficits in those areas. Teach and then challenge the client to perform their own activity analysis. Think about having their spouse, significant other or family member photograph rooms and objects at home, prior to discharge. Use those images to help the client select activities that will be part of that initial home program. Encourage breaks… Maybe a walk around the unit or their house, when frustration overwhelms. I did this frequently while hospitalised and was amazed when a nurse stopped me and said, "You are the only patient who walks, others just lie in bed most of the day.” Teach the client how to expand that home program out, beyond the initial one you give them. Therapy becomes life-long, but it can be tremendously rewarding as independence increases. Even failures along the way have the potential to bring on some serious laughter. References and further learning Cleveland Clinic (2023) Dysmetria (online). Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/25232-dysmetria . Accessed 21 April 2026. Croninger, W. (2020) Of Swords, Paradiddles and Solitaire. In Therapy Articles, on The Occupational Therapy Hub (online). Available from: https://www.theothub.com/article/of-swords-paradiddles-and-solitaire . Accessed 21 April 2026. Croninger, W. (2024) Are You Treating the 'Whole' Patient? In Therapy Articles, on The Occupational Therapy Hub (online). Available from: https://www.theothub.com/article/treating-the-whole-patient . Accessed 21 April 2026. The Occupational Therapy Hub (2022) Occupational Therapy - Activity Analysis (PDF document). Available from: https://www.theothub.com/product-page/occupational-therapy-activity-analysis . Accessed 21 April 2026.

The 'therapeutic use of self' is a term that is often used in occupational therapy and other therapies. However, many clinicians do not know what the therapeutic use of self is , or why it is so important. Read this concise article to find out more... Therapeutic use of self 'The thoughtful and deliberate use of one's personality, opinions and judgments as a component of the therapeutic process' ( Mosby’s Medical Dictionary , 2009) The term originates from philosophy and the theories of self . This demonstrates that researchers and practitioners acknowledge that, if you are asking a research question, completing research, running a business, or delivering care or a service, you will be influencing the outcome . What does this really mean though - and can therapy be delivered without considering the therapeutic use of self? - Why is therapeutic use of self important? - Asayand Lambert (1999) investigated what influenced change in psychotherapy clients, separating the possible influences for change into: therapeutic relationship, extra-therapeutic change (e.g. support, personality or 'ego strength'), placebo and technique. The results from their meta-analysis are as follows: This indicates that therapy cannot be delivered without considering how the therapist is influencing the outcome , through their therapeutic use of self. If the therapeutic use of self is so important, more so than technique, shouldn’t there be a general consensus about how therapists are going to influence change? - Techniques to consider if using therapeutic use of self - Carl Beuhner is quoted as saying "They may forget what you said - but they will never forget how you made them feel." Consequently, therapists and care providers need to consider how they are making their clients feel. Ask yourself: Are you rushing around and not giving clients the time they need when you are delivering care or treatment? We all do this at times because everyone is stretched, but if that feeling influences outcomes by 30%, then haven't you just ruined the opportunity for change, by letting the client know you don’t have time for them? "They may forget what you said - but they will never forget how you made them feel" - Carl Beuhner The first technique then is attunement . Attunement is the ability to be completely present with the client, developing a feeling of connectedness with them. The majority of the work around this is from psychotherapies however, as an occupational therapist , don’t you pride yourself as having origins in arts and crafts, psychology, architecture, nursing, social work, philosophy, teaching and psychiatry? Therefore, you should be considering all of these aspects within your work, both in everything you do and in what you recommend. Within attunement you should be considering what your body language is saying, how your tone of voice is delivering the message, if your facial expressions and body language (including eye contact) match what you are saying and if you need to mirror the client in order for them to recognise that they have your full attention. The second technique is providing the client with unconditional positive regard . Unconditional positive regard is the ability to accept that the client is trying their best and accepting where they are at that time. This does not mean you have to agree with their choices or even like them as a person. However, it does mean that you are providing client-centred care and treatment - whilst allowing the client to make mistakes, through their ability to make their own self-determined choices. Self-disclosure is the third technique. There are two types of self-disclosure; intra-session disclosure and extra-session disclosure . Intra-session refers to reflecting how something they have done or has happened during the session has made you feel. Extra-session disclosure is disclosing information about yourself, whether that be previous qualifications, family life or interests and events. Self-disclosure can be a positive experience for the client, building rapport with them and developing a therapeutic alliance. However, Leanne Hall states there are five golden rules to self-disclosure: Waiting Being brief Being clear that this is your opinion Considering the client’s values Considering the impact self-disclosure is going to have Waiting refers to the therapist considering why they are self-disclosing, whilst being brief is to ensure the client does not feel the therapist is hijacking their session. Therapists also need to ensure that when they are self-disclosing the client knows this is their opinion and is not part of their clinical expertise or experience, as the statement could be contrary to the client’s own beliefs and values. Additionally, if the statement is contrary to the client’s own beliefs and values, consider if this self-disclosure is going to jeopardise the therapeutic relationship and alienate the client? This then leads to the final factor of considering the impact that self-disclosure can have, as clients may be left feeling burdened by the self-disclosure rather than aligned with the therapist. Whilst these 'golden rules' ensure self-disclosure is used appropriately, it is important to remember that it can assist the client with humanising the therapist. The final technique is the ability to balance the power differential . Clients often believe that the therapist or professional has greater power than them. However, this belief can lead to self-helplessness , whereas a therapist should be promoting self-empowerment and self-help . Therefore, it is essential to understand the client's background and culture , whilst presenting yourself in an honest and congruent way. That means the power imbalance should be addressed during therapy or care. The acknowledgement that you may know more about a particular solution to their problem based on your training and experience should be made, whist acknowledging that they are the expert about themselves, their culture, their expectations and their own lives. The client and the therapist should then be working together to problem solve how the 'solution' that the therapist suggests can be integrated into the client's life, based on the information the client has about themselves. - Summary - In summary, based on my research and training, the therapeutic use of self encompasses four techniques: Attunement Unconditional positive regard Self-disclosure Balancing the power differential If therapists and care providers incorporate these techniques in a positive and helpful way for the client, without hijacking the client's treatment or care, then better outcomes should be gained.

Results are in, the votes have been counted and I am putting on a sparkly dress, to announce the Top 10 Occupational Therapy books that all Occupational Therapists (OTs) MUST read. I wanted to put this list together because I knew I hadn’t read widely enough in my own area. This has given me a few places to look, so thank you to everyone who took part in the 2020 survey. I was really interested to see what was nominated and absolutely delighted to see what wasn’t. We are going to do the top 9 in no order whatsoever and then the overall winner is at the bottom . Enjoy! [N.B. Clicking images takes you to Amazon; other shops and online stores are available] Diverse roles for Occupational Therapists Edited by Jane Clewes and Robert Kirkwood First up... I’m quite pleased this got through, not least because the chapter in it on ‘Personality Disorder’ is by me. This book has a range of occupational therapists in different mental health positions describing their roles; it’s a great resource for particular areas and for bringing innovation into places we haven’t been before. Colleagues of mine wrote about psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs), Prisons and Eating Disorders - I’m pretty sure at one point we were the most academic OT corridor in the UK. It’s probably due a sequel now, with even more novel roles emerging . Groupwork In Occupational Therapy By Linda Finlay 23 years old and still pulling in the votes, this is the oldest book in the list. Written primarily for occupational therapists, 'this text explores the range of group work activities used within occupational therapy practice. Discussing theoretical aspects and practical approaches , this book is an invaluable handbook to those working and studying occupational therapy.' Occupational Therapies Without Borders: Integrating Justice With Practice By Dikaios Sakellariou and Nick Pollard This is a book I hadn’t even heard of before. Apparently this builds on the previous two volumes, offering a window onto occupational therapy practice, theory and ideas, in different cultures and geographies . It emphasises the importance of critically deconstructing and engaging with the broader context of occupation, particularly around how occupational injustices are shaped through political, economic and historical factors. Centring on the wider social and political aspects of occupation and occupation-based practices, this textbook aims to inspire occupational therapy students and practitioners to include transformational elements into their practice. It also illustrates how occupational therapists from all over the world can affect positive changes , by engaging with political and historical contexts. It could probably do with a chapter on COVID-19, but then I’m sure most books could at the moment… An Occupational Perspective of Health By Ann Wilcock and Clare Hocking 4th on the list, another book I hadn’t come across before. Amazon says 'For nearly 20 years, An Occupational Perspective of Health has been a valuable text for health practitioners, with an interest in the impact of what people do throughout their lives. Now available in an updated and much-anticipated Third Edition, this unique text continues the intention of the original publication: it encourages wide-ranging recognition of occupation as a major contributor to all people’s experience of health or illness. It also promotes understanding of how, throughout the world, "population health" , as well as individual well-being, is dependent on occupation.' This sounds like a useful message for us to articulate. Creating Positive Futures: Solution Focused Recovery from Mental Distress By Lucie Duncan, Rayya Ghul and Sarah Mousley Coming in 5th (they are not in order), this is currently going for a much more modest price - and you can let me know whether the Wilcock book is 4 times better. With 5 stars on Amazon 'This is a valuable resource for anybody working in the fields of mental health and disability, regardless of professional discipline , not only occupational therapists but psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurses.' It shows a respectful, structured and realistically optimistic way of talking with troubled people, so that their own strengths and resources are highlighted. This book introduces their Solution Focused Measure of Occupational Function . It is clearly written, almost jargon-free and contains many useful case-examples and suggestions for generative questions. The authors have avoided it becoming too much of a therapy-by-numbers ‘cook-book’. Enabling Occupation II: Advancing an Occupational Therapy Vision for Health, Well-being & Justice Through Occupation By Elizabeth A. Townsend and Helene J. Polatajko For its price, I’d expect this book to assess my clients for me. It’s not easy to find a synopsis for this book (if someone sends me one I’ll add it to the article), but what I have learned is: 'As a practitioner, Section I provides you with the opportunity to reflect on the implications that embracing occupation as our core domain of concern has for your practice. The Section promotes an appreciation of the full breadth of human occupation and facilitates the adoption of an occupational perspective in viewing the world. With the Section, you are encouraged to adopt an occupational perspective to guide your practice - be it as a clinician, educator, researcher, administrator, manager, or consultant. You will immerse yourself in language frameworks and models , that will help to organise your thoughts and articulate your understanding of occupation and to explore the learnings that occupational science can shed on your understanding and appreciation of occupation.' Foundations for Practice in Occupational Therapy By Edward Duncan 7th on the list... Eddie was one of my first supervisors, back in the days when I was young and knew nothing. Now that I’m old and know less it’s good to see this scoring so well. 'The internationally acclaimed Foundations for Practice in Occupational Therapy continues to provide a practical reference tool, which is both an indispensable guide to undergraduates and a practical reference tool for clinicians , in the application of models and theories to practice. Underlining the importance and clinical relevance of theory to practice, the text provides an excellent introduction to the theoretical basis of occupational therapy.' Client-Centred Practice in Occupational Therapy: A Guide to Implementation Edited by Thelma Sumsion At 8th in the list, the editor is one of my undergraduate lecturers, who once chided me for napping during a talk. 'Directed primarily towards health care professionals outside of the United States, Client-Centered Practice in Occupational Therapy continues to be the only book that provides the reader with both the theoretical underpinnings of client-centred practice as well as guidance on the practical application of this approach.' Who knows what authoritarian practices will take place in the USA without a book like this to guide them? Kielhofner's Model of Human Occupation By Renee R. Taylor Nearly there… This book was one of the two that dominated the field. 'Updated throughout with new research, the 5th Edition of MOHO offers a complete presentation of the most widely used model in occupational therapy today. In the new edition, author Renee Taylor preserves Dr. Kielhofner's original voice and contributions, while updating MOHO concepts and their uses in today's practice environment . Throughout the book, readers will see a client-centred approach used to explore what motivates each individual, how they select occupations and establish everyday routines - and how environment influences occupational behaviour. The 5th Edition continues to deliver the latest in MOHO theory, research and application to practice and adds much that is new, including new case studies - that show how MOHO can address the real-life issues depicted - and expanded resources, that enhance teaching and learning.' This probably influences my OT clinical reasoning more than any other profession-specific book I’ve read. And the moment you have all been waiting for… ...will have to wait a little longer! I asked people what book wasn’t shortlisted but should have been ; I was told the missing gem was: Recovery Through Activity By Sue Parkinson It is 'underpinned by the conceptual framework of the Model of Human Occupation and will provide an invaluable tool to practitioners and also create a platform for research. Recovery Through Activity: enables service users to recognise the long-term benefits of occupational participation, by exploring the value of a range of activities provides occupational therapists with a valuable tool to support the use of their core skills provides comprehensive evidence regarding the value of activity, along with a wealth of resources to support implementation of an occupation-focused intervention helps to refocus the practice of occupational therapy in mental health on occupation supports occupational therapy practitioners to engage in their core skills and enhance the quality of service user care in mental health' Finally, we have the winner: Creek's Occupational Therapy and Mental Health Edited by Wendy Bryant With more votes than any other and five times the votes of the lowest scoring finalist, this is another ‘go-to' book for me. This 'seminal textbook for occupational therapy students and practitioners has retained the comprehensive detail of previous editions with significant updates, including the recovery approach informed by a social perspective . Emerging settings for practice are explored and many more service users have been involved as authors. Occupational Therapy and Mental Health is essential reading for students and practitioners across all areas of health and/or social care , in statutory, private or third (voluntary) sectors, and in institutional and community-based settings.' If you want to read a non-occupational therapy mental health book, The Body Keeps The Score annihilated the competition... And that is the result of the survey. You also told me you are interested in an occupational therapy TED-style event, so I might see if I can make that happen. Go forth and read these books! Very little is written about some of them, so add to the reviews and tell people what you thought. Before you smash out your money on hard copies of these, it might be worth considering joining your country's professional body; some of these are available as free e-books to members. If anyone wants to send me a copy of any of these, I’m happy to review it... I hope this was useful. Happy reading. Keir Harding Occupational Therapist Keir provides supervision and thinking space around mental health provision, particularly those viewed as being high risk. He is contactable via Beam Consultancy and is active on X/Twitter ( @keirwales ) and Facebook ( Keir Harding OT ).

The Occupational Therapy Hub connects a global community of occupational therapists with resources, education, and networking opportunities. Join today! Your global occupational therapy community Free Membership OT+ Membership The platform and app run by practising Occupational Therapists. News and Latest Grown and shaped by 27,000+ Members , in 195 countries . Member Directory Established 2017 Passionately empowering clinicians, students and those they support Our Mission To share knowledge and resources, across an international network. To provide an open community of practice - reducing geographical and financial barriers to education. To show the world the value of our health and social care profession . Testimonials "Thank you again Jamie, for the opportunity to share The Burn In Model through the incredible platform you've created. We appreciate you, your Team and the gift (ember!) that is The Occupational Therapy Hub." Michelle Luken - International Speaker/Trainer, US Army Veteran, Occupational Therapist (LinkedIn, 2026) Join the profession's global community Inclusive Membership options, for everyone Free Membership Lifetime access to key Hub tools and resources. ✔ Professional Profile ✔ OT Circles ✔ Therapy Articles (free sections) ✔ Therapy Videos ✔ Podcast Portal ✔ Service Directory ✔ The OT Journal Club ✔ What is OT? ✔ A Career in OT Join free OT+ Membership Exclusive tools and resources, via annual or quarterly plans. ✔ Professional Profile ✔ OT Circles ✔ Therapy Articles (full library) ✔ Therapy Videos ✔ Podcast Portal ✔ Service Directory ✔ The OT Journal Club ✔ What is OT? ✔ A Career in OT ✔ OT CPD Courses ✔ OT Updates ✔ OT Downloads ✔ OT Webinars ✔ Research Portal 3.0 ✔ OT Interventions ✔ Case Studies ✔ Advancing OT ✔ Priority Response OT Circle Learn more / Upgrade OT+ Corporate Empower organisations or teams with OT+ benefits! ✔ Professional Profile ✔ OT Circles ✔ Therapy Articles (full library) ✔ Therapy Videos ✔ Podcast Portal ✔ Service Directory ✔ The OT Journal Club ✔ What is OT? ✔ A Career in OT ✔ OT CPD Courses ✔ OT Updates ✔ OT Downloads ✔ OT Webinars ✔ Research Portal 3.0 ✔ OT Interventions ✔ Case Studies ✔ Advancing OT ✔ Priority Response OT Circle Learn more / Enquire Membership options Latest on the Hub Latest on the Hub Free Stroke: An Occupational Therapist's Experience "In the 39 years I have worked as an Occupational Therapist, I'd occasionally wondered what the onset of a stroke might feel like. As I reached the bedroom, to my horror, I began to suspect I was learning this in real time." Bill candidly explores his professional and personal experiences; his unique perspective offers a breadth of advice on better supporting others. Read it right here, or via The OT Hub app . 22/04/2026 Therapy Articles OT+ Embedding OT in GP practices is cutting demand and building patient trust A 45% reduction in GP appointments and a 57% drop in emergency department visits have been achieved after a mental health Trust integrated an OT into primary care teams, supporting a group of 10 UK GP surgeries. In the three months following support, patients also reported a nearly 25% increase in wellbeing scores, compared with the three months prior. Upgraded to OT+ ? Read this and other profession-related news and stories, collated from around the world in one place. 20/04/2026 OT Updates OT+ Store Sensory Re-education Training: OT Exercise Program (updated) Sensory re-education aims to stimulate and retrain complex neural pathways. This 11-page printable PDF document is for both the occupational therapy practitioner and the patient/client they are supporting. Version 2.0 includes: Desensitisation therapy; updated terminology, exercises, techniques and structure. This is a free download with our OT+ Membership , or can be purchased individually via our Store . 11/04/2026 OT Downloads Free 'Trapped inside': Showcasing an experience of Locked-In Syndrome Kate Allatt was a fit, healthy mum when life changed overnight. Severe headaches led to a coma, then a diagnosis of Locked-In Syndrome; she was conscious, but unable to move or speak. 'From the first flicker of an eye and against all expectations, Kate slowly relearned how to communicate, walk again and rebuild her life. Sixteen years on, her story is one of extraordinary determination and hope.' Watch Kate's insightful and candid interview right here, or via The OT Hub app . 09/04/2026 Therapy Videos OT+ Research: Home based, tailored intervention to reduce rate of falls after stroke 'A tailored intervention prevented falls in community dwelling, ambulatory people with stroke. The decrease in rate of falls [by 33%] was underpinned by clinically worthwhile improvements in self-efficacy, mobility, community participation and balance.' OT+ Members can read this 2026 study within the Neurology research theme. 05/04/2026 Research Portal Free Neurodivergent OTs → Networking invite! "I'm Dan, neurospicy and late diagnosed... I'm new to the Hub and new here too. I'm a neurodiversity network co-lead in my trust. I'm also a regional Equity, Diversity and Belonging (EDB) contact and looking to network with other occupational therapists. Looking forward to sharing helpful things and being part of discussions." Connect with Dan and other Members in his OT Circles post - a great form of learning and recordable CPD! Connect here, or on-the-go, via The OT Hub app . 02/04/2026 OT Circles Networking and learning: OT Circles Circles Independent Practitioners Private · 310 members Request To Join Clinical Educators in Occupational Therapy Public · 68 members Join Neurodivergent OTs Public · 322 members Join Research + Evidence Public · 329 members Join Mental Health Public · 699 members Join OT Books: Buy & Sell Public · 141 members Join Show More On-demand education: OT CPD Courses All programs Included with OT+ Individual Purchase Mastering Executive Function: A Comprehensive Guide £210.00 More info / Join Discover Sensory Processing and Integration 2 Plans Available More info / Join Moving and Handling: A Dignified Approach 2 Plans Available More info / Join ADHD and Occupational Therapy 2 Plans Available More info / Join Improve Client Outcomes with Positive Psychology 2 Plans Available More info / Join Sleep: An Occupational Therapy Domain 2 Plans Available More info / Join Your eyes into OT: Therapy Articles Stroke: An Occupational Therapist's Experience Reflective Journals 6 days ago Occupational Therapy Toward a Modern, Digital Approach to Care: Integrating AI as a Therapeutic Medium Advancing OT (OT+) Feb 26 The Burn In Model: A Brand New Model of Occupational Therapy Clinical Reference Feb 12 A Carer's Voice Reflective Journals Jan 27 CALMS: A Practical Framework to Support Clients with Insomnia Clinical Reference Nov 22, 2025 Impacts of GLP-1 medications: A personal, occupational perspective of more than just a 'weight loss jab' Reflective Journals Oct 12, 2025 We believe in the power of for health and wellbeing occupation

Enhance your life-long learning and daily clinical practice, with exclusive occupational therapy resources: OT CPD Courses, OT Updates, OT Downloads, OT Webinars, Research Portal, OT Interventions, Case Studies and Advancing OT. With Priority Response from the Hub Team. OT + Membership Enhance your life-long learning and daily clinical practice. Become an OT+ Member. Scroll or click images for previews: Exclusive occupational therapy resources. OT+ Members also s u pport the Hub, to further support our profession . Why upgrade? Unlimited access to: OT CPD Courses Learn from specialist clinicians globally, via self-paced continuing professional development (CPD) courses. T esting and reflection consolidates knowledge; a CPD certificate and Hub Badge evidences participation. Most c ourses are free to OT+ Members. More info: Courses FAQ . OT Updates Profession al news and stories collated from around the world, all in one place OT Downloads Assessments, documents, presentations, graphics, clinical and reflective tools * OT Webinars Video interviews, presentations and demonstrations Research Portal 3.0 Online gateway to access and showcase occupational therapy research OT Interventions E ngagement techniques, rehab approaches, evidence-based support plans Case Stud ies L ibrary of in-depth therapy input, with anonymised patients and clients Advancing OT Projects, ideas and collaborations, that raise awareness of and advance the profession Priority Respon s e OT Circle Enquiries to the Hub Team are addressed ahead of Free Members. This exclusive networking and support group offers speedier advice at your fingertips - from clinicians, not AI. * Looking to purchase individual OT Downloads , without upgrading? Visi t the Hub Store "I would 100% recommend joining as an OT+ Member, for the wealth of resources, CPD courses and information you can access... I think it's a fantastic community and I'm looking forward to getting more involved..." Bluejay OT (Instagram, 2026) Don't just take our word for it! Low prices, available in all currencies. Secure payment - via debit/credit card, PayPal, Apple or Google Pay. Examples below - indicative, d ue to exchange rates; amount charged may differ slightly. * * Currency conversions updated: 23rd April 2026 Currency Annual Quarterly (3-monthly) £ 65.00 18.00 € 75.05 20.78 US $ 87.66 24.28 AU $ 122.88 34.03 - Corporate - OT+ Membership Supporting collective professional development! Make our full suite of tools and resources available to a department, staff group(s), or a whole team. Corporate pricing is determined by the number of clinicians being upgraded at one time Plans can be purchased on a rolling Annual (best value) or Quarterly (3-monthly) basis All staff being upgraded need to have first signed up to basic (free) Membership Accounts can be upgraded together by contacting us - or at your end, by logging into each If you would like to discuss options, please contact Hub Management. Contact us OT+ Corporate How to upgrade Individual accounts: 1) Log in with your Free Membership. I f you're yet to join, become a Free Member he re . 2) Click 'Select' by your preferred option below. 3) E nter your details. N.B. PayPal opens in a separate window. For Corporate OT+ Membership: Contact us Upgrade here today Best value OT+ Member (Annual) £ 65 65£ Every year BEST VALUE. Available in all currencies. Select Complete OT CPD Courses Discover OT Updates Unlimited OT Downloads Play back OT Webinars Utilise Research Portal 3.0 Read OT Interventions Read Case Studies Explore Advancing OT Priority Response OT Circle (+ All Free Resources) OT+ Member (Quarterly) £ 18 18£ Every 3 months Available in all currencies. Select Complete OT CPD Courses Discover OT Updates Unlimited OT Downloads Play back OT Webinars Utilise Research Portal 3.0 Read OT Interventions Read Case Studies Explore Advancing OT Priority Response OT Circle (+ All Free Resources) On purchase, plans are charged on a recurring basis, unless cancelled. Please ensure payment details are kept updated, for auto-renewal and continued access to your OT+ resources. Queries or feedback regarding OT+ Membership? Contact us

Connecting and collaborating is what we are all about. Reach us by email, direct message, phone or via one of our social media platforms. Contact us Membership queries? Collaborative opportunities? Share feedback Connect with the Hub (Contact) Connect with the Hub Message sent! We'll be in touch soon. Send (+44) 07704 514 523 hubteam@theOThub.com The Occupational Therapy Hub The Occupational Therapy Hub the.occupational.therapy.hub @ the.occupational.therapy.hub