Occupational Therapists In South Africa

Occupational therapy: what is it?

Occupational therapy aims to help people in the long-term with their productivity and happiness. The “occupation” in the name suggests the daily activities that therapists give their patients to help them live fully and happily. This includes promoting good mental and physical health, but also coping with negative life events such as illnesses or disabilities. Find Help’s experienced occupational therapists in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and across South Africa work hard to customize their treatment options for their patients, working with them to solidify clear goals and create an individualized intervention plan to improve the patient’s perspective. This therapy is evidence-based and refined to include scientifically relevant practices in its day to day goals.

What occupational therapists do

The ultimate goal of Find Help’s occupational therapists is the patient’s independence. When a physical or mental illness makes a person feel trapped, unproductive, or unhappy, they can turn to occupational therapy to find control over their conditions mentally. This produces a feeling of independence, the feeling that they have agency in their own lives. Occupational therapists can assist children as well as working adults – anyone that has trouble with living their lives normally can seek this kind of therapy. When a child has trouble participating in school because of crippling shyness, body confidence issues, problems with acting out, a lack of focus, or other impediments, occupational therapists can help them sort out their problems and regain control over their lives. For working adults, evaluation and intervention can help you regain control over an injury, mentally cope with an illness, or better manage your attention and mood throughout your day. Occupational therapy adapts to the environment, the person, and the situation, helping them improve their attitude and their life over the long-term.

What are the goals of occupational therapy?

Unlike some other forms of therapy, occupational therapy is more customizable and doesn’t deal as often in medications and other extrinsic solutions to problems with the patient’s motivation, outlook, or health. Instead, an occupational therapist looks for customizable solutions to the patient’s unique issues in the form of daily activities that can be repeated as an “occupation”.

The goals are set by the initial evaluation and the outcomes of those goals are also considered as the therapy progresses. Changes to the intervention plan are common as the patient reacts positively or negatively to the occupation. The key to occupational therapy is how individualized treatment can encourage feelings of independence in the patient. The goal is for people to feel like they can make themselves better in time and with the research-based practices provided by the therapist. That’s what Find Help’s caring local occupational therapists are trained to do!

Considering occupational therapy

Occupational therapy is a good match for people of any age who are having trouble coping with a life change. An adult having difficulty focusing on work in the midst of an injury can benefit from looking up “occupational therapists near me” and creating an individualized treatment plan. Likewise, the parent of a child who has trouble focusing in school can use Find Help’s platform to connect with someone who understands what they’re going through and can give them practical solutions to their day to day issues. Remember that Find Help also offers [educational psychologists]((directory/educational psychologists) in your area. Anyone who is feeling like a disability or mental state is impeding their life or happiness in some way can benefit from finding an occupational therapist in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Pretoria through the Find Help network. Occupational therapy doesn’t just “cure” someone of a disease with a prescription. Its main benefit is giving people the tools to help themselves on a daily basis.

Tips for choosing the right occupational therapist for you

The key feature of occupational therapy is fostering independence in the patient through a customized coping and recovery plan with clear goals and methods. If you’re looking for an occupational therapist in South Africa, the first thing you need to look for is those certified by the [Health Professions Council of South Africa]((directory/health professions council of south africa). Thankfully, all therapists in the Find Help network have this certification. The rest will involve looking at the individual therapists’ experience and trying to choose one with expertise in your problem, whether you’re looking for occupational therapy for a child, or an adult with a terminal illness. By matching their experience to your needs, you can start an individualized therapy plan that will help you manage your attitude and your behavior during your job or in school.

Alternatives to occupational therapy

If you’re not sure about occupational therapy, consider more traditional therapy. Social workers and counselling psychologists can talk you through problems without the pressure of a long-term plan. Different registered counselors have different experiences and expertise, so you may be able to shop around and find a more traditional therapy setting that better suits you if you’re searching for occupational therapists in SA. If you start with an occupational therapist in South Africa and decide that you want something else, you can always ask for a referral to a specialist that they feel can help you with your specific issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of questions and answers to help you find out whether occupational therapy is the right treatment option for you.

How long are the sessions?

Sessions with occupational therapists last around 45 minutes but offer individualized treatment options for those looking for therapy tailor-made to their needs. You may be able to work with a therapist to customize your sessions even further, particularly in the case of a physical disability or challenge.

Can your occupational therapists conduct online sessions?

Find Help’s occupational therapists can conduct online sessions if the distance is an issue for you. After you’ve found the perfect occupational therapist in South Africa for your needs, you won’t want to let distance interrupt the momentum of your therapy. Find Help’s therapists are trained in online therapy sessions and can offer the same help at a distance as they can in person.

What are the sessions like?

Sessions with an occupational therapist are individualized to your needs. The initial session, consultation, and evaluation are all designed to assess your needs and guarantee that the goals of your therapy are set up and customized to give you an individual treatment plan. Since the goal of occupational therapy is to encourage daily activities that slowly change a person’s ability to cope with negative life events, sessions are designed to be low-key and personalized.

Is the information I share confidential?

All information you share with your occupational therapists is confidential. The only exception is if the information implies that you may be a danger to yourself or others, at which point the therapist will be obliged to notify the authorities. Other than this exclusion, what you tell your occupational therapist is completely confidential. Are all of your occupational therapists registered and qualified? Yes, all of Find Help’s occupational therapists are registered and certified by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. By searching for “occupational therapists near me” or for occupational therapists in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, or Pretoria, you can get an appointment with one of Find Help’s certified mental health professionals. If you have any more questions about our occupational therapists, please contact us - we would be more than happy to assist.