225XM0800X Mental Health Occupational Therapist

Definition: Occupational therapists provide treatment for people recovering from a mental or physical illness to regain their independence and stability and to engage in normal daily occupations (work, home, family life, school, leisure). Occupational therapists provide particular emphasis on interventions that result in improved quality of life and decrease hospitalization.
Grouping: Respiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers
Classification: Occupational Therapist
Specialization: Mental Health
Section: Individual
Notes: Source: The Guide to Occupational Therapy Practice, 2nd edition. Bethesda: American Occupational Therapy Association, 2007. [7/1/2008: new] Additional Resources: The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) does offer voluntary board certification for a Mental Health Occupational Therapist if the applicant meets the following requirements: <ul> <li>Professional degree or equivalent in occupational therapy. <li>Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA recognized credentialing or regulatory body. <li>Minimum of 5 years of practice as an occupational therapist. <li>Minimum of 5,000 hours of experience as an occupational therapist in the certification area in the last 7 calendar years. <li>Minimum of 500 hours of experience delivering occupational therapy services in the certification area to clients (individuals, groups, or populations) in the last 5 calendar years. Service delivery may be paid or voluntary. <li>Verification of employment. </ul>AOTA Fact Sheets: Partial Hospitalization Programs and Consumer

Related Taxonomies

Parent Classification

Occupational Therapist

A medical professional who helps people improve their ability to perform everyday activities after illness, injury, or disability. Occupational therapists work with patients to build skills needed for daily living and work, such as dressing, cooking, or using tools. They commonly assist those recovering from strokes, hand injuries, developmental delays, or arthritis. Patients can expect personalized therapy plans, exercises, and guidance to increase independence and quality of life.

Other Specializations

Driving and Community Mobility

A healthcare provider who helps people stay safe and independent when driving or getting around their community. They assess driving skills, address physical or memory challenges, and recommend tools or techniques to make travel easier. They support patients with conditions like stroke, dementia, vision loss, or injury, and guide those who need to stop driving to find other transportation options, focusing on safety and maintaining quality of life.

Environmental Modification

An occupational therapist who helps people make changes to their home or work environment so they can perform daily tasks more safely and easily. They assess how a person’s surroundings affect their ability to move, care for themselves, or complete activities, and recommend modifications like grab bars, ramps, or adaptive equipment. They often work with people recovering from injuries, living with disabilities, or managing age-related challenges, helping them stay independent and safe.

A medical professional who helps people prevent and manage injuries related to their work or daily activities by improving how they move and use their bodies. They assess workspaces, recommend equipment or changes to reduce strain, and teach safer ways to perform tasks. Patients can expect support for conditions like back pain, repetitive strain injuries, or discomfort from poor posture, and guidance to create a safer, more comfortable environment at work or home.

Feeding, Eating & Swallowing

An occupational therapist who helps people who have trouble eating, swallowing, or feeding themselves. They work with patients of all ages to improve swallowing safety, adapt food textures, teach safe eating techniques, and recommend special tools or exercises. They often help those with conditions like stroke, neurological disorders, or developmental delays, and also provide training and support to families and caregivers. Patients can expect personalized care to make eating safer and easier.

A medical professional who helps older adults maintain or improve their ability to perform daily activities and stay independent. They work with seniors in settings like homes, hospitals, and nursing facilities, offering support for challenges related to aging such as difficulty dressing, bathing, cooking, or getting around safely. Common services include creating personalized plans to adapt tasks, recommending equipment, promoting safety, and supporting life transitions to improve quality of life and participation in meaningful activities.

A healthcare provider who specializes in helping patients recover and improve function in their hands, wrists, and forearms after injury, surgery, or illness. They design personalized therapy plans to increase strength, flexibility, and coordination, and teach exercises or techniques for daily activities. Common conditions treated include fractures, tendon injuries, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and nerve damage. Patients can expect hands-on therapy, custom splints or braces, and education on protecting and using their hands safely.

An occupational therapist who specializes in human factors helps people adapt their daily activities and environments to improve comfort, safety, and productivity. They focus on preventing injuries, reducing strain, and designing workspaces or tasks that fit each person's needs. Patients may see this provider for help with repetitive strain injuries, workplace ergonomics, or challenges caused by disability or aging. They offer assessments, personalized recommendations, and training to make daily tasks easier and safer.

A medical professional who helps people with vision loss manage daily activities safely and independently. They teach patients how to use their remaining vision, show ways to adapt tasks and environments, and provide training on special tools and devices. Common services include helping with reading, cooking, self-care, and using adaptive equipment for conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. Patients can expect personalized strategies to improve quality of life at home, work, or school.

Neurorehabilitation

An occupational therapist who helps people recover and improve their daily living skills after brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological conditions. They work with patients to regain independence in activities like dressing, eating, and managing household tasks, using personalized exercises and adaptive strategies to improve movement, thinking, and coordination. Patients can expect hands-on therapy, practical advice, and support tailored to their individual needs and goals.

A medical professional who helps infants, children, and teenagers develop skills needed for everyday activities like playing, learning, and self-care. Pediatric occupational therapists work with children who have developmental delays, disabilities, or difficulties caused by injuries or medical conditions. They provide therapy to improve coordination, strength, social skills, and independence, and may help with challenges related to autism, cerebral palsy, sensory processing issues, or other developmental concerns. Patients can expect personalized activities and support to help children succeed at home, in school, and in the community.

Physical Rehabilitation

A medical professional who helps people regain strength, movement, and independence after illness or injury by focusing on daily activities. They work with patients to improve skills needed for dressing, bathing, cooking, and working, and may suggest changes at home or work for safety. Commonly, they assist those recovering from strokes, injuries, surgery, or living with arthritis or neurological conditions. Patients can expect therapy sessions tailored to their needs, practical advice, and supportive guidance to help them return to everyday life.

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