Rayo’s Guide to Occupational Therapy
Rayo Counseling and Community Co-Op Occupational Therapy Services, by Toni Solaru, OTR/L
Mental Health Occupational Therapy focuses on helping individuals with mental health conditions engage in meaningful activities, improve their quality of life, and develop skills to manage daily tasks. This type of therapy addresses the emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of a person's life, aiming to restore or maintain inter/independence.
Services include a combination of: Assessment & Evaluation, Goal Setting & Treatment, Planning, Coping & Stress Management Techniques, Building Daily Living Skills, Social & Leisure Skills, Coaching, Time Management & Organization.
It also focuses on: Problem-Solving & Decision-Making, Coping Skills for Mental Health Experiences, Engagement in Meaningful Activities, Recovery & Relapse Prevention, Family Education & Support, Cognitive Rehabilitation.
Executive Function Coaching in Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on helping individuals develop and enhance skills related to planning, organizing, problem-solving, decision-making, and self-regulation.
These cognitive skills are critical for managing daily tasks and achieving long-term goals.
People who may benefit include those with ADHD, ASD, Learning disabilities, TBI, Stroke, Neurodegenerative conditions (e.g. Dementia, Parkinson's), Mental health conditions that affect cognitive abilities (e.g. anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, etc.)
Executive Function Coaching Services include: Cognitive Assessment & Evaluation, Memory & Recall Strategies (Thought), Organization & Time Management Strategies, Problem Solving & Decision-Making Strategies, Goal Setting & Planning, Attention & Focus Coaching, Emotional Regulation, Environmental modifications & tools.
Life Skills OT focuses on helping individuals develop the practical skills needed for daily living and independent functioning.
This therapy is particularly beneficial for those challenges that affect their ability to perform routine activities.
People who may benefit include people: Experiencing major life change or transition, Mental health related challenges to maintaining self-care, Cognition-related challenges to maintaining self-care, Substance use related challenges to maintaining self-care, Behavioral-related challenges to maintaining self-care.
Life Skills Coaching services include: Daily Living Skills (e.g. bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, etc.), Community Participation, Social Skills & Communication, Safety & Health Management, Time Management & Organization, Coping & Problem-Solving
Occupational Therapy for Long Covid is for people with Long COVID and Memory-Related Issues focuses on supporting individuals who experience cognitive impairments, such as memory difficulties, attention issues, and brain fog, following a COVID-19 infection.
Additionally, services are offered for those experienceing long-COVID fatigue or emotional distress related-to long-COVID.
People who may benefit include people with long-COVID related Brain fog or memory loss, Fatigue or Emotional distress.
Occupational Therapy for long-COVID includes: Cognitive Rehabilitation & Memory Strategies Attention & Thought Organization, Coaching, Fatigue Management & Energy Conservation, Emotional Support & Coping Strategies, Assitive Technology & Tools.
Other areas for Occupational Therapy: non-coercive medication management, wellness programming, supported employment and education, first epsiode psychosis, transition planning & support, sensory-based OT, coping with somatic experiences.
Where are services offered? At the Rayo Mental Health Community Center, virtually, and in the community!