Ever had one of those “I know what I need to do, but I don’t know HOW to actually do it” moments? Well, let me introduce you to mental health occupational therapy. We don’t just talk about your challenges and problems we’re here to turn them into opportunities with you and challenge them head on. While psychologists are amazing at helping you understand the “why” behind your thoughts and feelings, we’re your “how-to” specialists. We’re the bridge between knowing and doing.
What Makes Us Different from Psychology?
Our occupational therapy approach integrates mind, body, and daily function. While psychology helps you understand and work through your thought patterns, occupational therapy focuses on the practical application of that knowledge through your body’s sensory systems.
Together, we will:
- Discover your unique sensory preferences and create strategies that help you feel regulated and balanced
- Design meditation practices that align with your natural rhythms and daily schedule
- Develop practical routines that support your emotional wellbeing through sensory awareness
- Create achievable action plans for your life goals (because we believe in progress, not perfection)
- Build a comprehensive toolkit of evidence-based techniques for managing your nervous system
Is Mental Health OT Right for You?
Consider booking a session with us if:
- You want to explore meditation and mindfulness in a way that works for YOUR brain
- Daily life sometimes feels overwhelming, and you’re seeking practical regulation strategies
- You’re ready to understand your body’s stress signalsand how to respond to them
- You’vegot big goals but need help breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps
What to Expect
- Every session will start and finish with a short grounding meditation.
- You will have access to sensory regulative resources throughout the session.
- It will be balanced between talking, learning and practical activities.
- Therapy goals will be established and we will track them along the way.
- Homework and resources will be given after every session. To really get the benefits from our sessions it’s integral that you apply what we learn in the therapy session into your everyday life.
What we might cover in a session
Trauma-Informed Sensory Modulation
…is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals understand and regulate their nervous system’s responses to sensory input in daily life, while ensuring they feel safe and in control. It combines sensory strategies with trauma awareness to help people identify their unique sensory diets and develop personalised tools for managing overwhelming emotions.
Goal and Life Purpose Development
…is a collaborative process that helps individuals rediscover their values, interests, and aspirations. Combining practical goal-setting strategies with deeper exploration of personal meaning helps clients move forward with purpose while acknowledging both their challenges and strengths.
Trauma-Informed Meditation
…is a mindfulness approach that prioritises safety and choice, recognising that traditional meditation practices may be challenging or triggering for individuals with trauma histories.
Mental Health OT as a treatment for trauma
Living with trauma can feel like your nervous system is stuck on high alert. While psychologists help you process and understand your trauma narrative, our approach focuses on helping your body feel safe again through practical, sensory-based strategies.
We do this by combining sensory modulation, mindfulness, and practical strategies to help you:
- Understand how trauma impacts your nervous system and daily life
- Discover what sensory experiences help you feel grounded and safe and regulate yourself during the day.
- Learn gentle meditation techniques that help you stay present without feeling overwhelmed
We understand that trauma work requires a safe, predictable environment. In our clinic, you can expect:
- A calm, welcoming space where you set the pace
- Choice, control and collaboration over all activities and techniques we try
- Clear explanations of how each strategy works with your nervous system
- Evidence-based techniques that can be easily incorporated into your daily life
Funding
- NDIS participants can use their package for capacity building therapy sessions
- Medicarerebates can be available with a chronic care management plan or mental health care plan.
- Private health insurance may subsidise sessions