Information for Healthcare Providers

In school, hospital and clinical settings, occupational therapists are often part of the interdisciplinary team, but healthcare practitioners (physiotherapists, psychologists, physicians, massage therapists, chiropractors etc) aren't always sure how or when to refer to a community-based occupational therapist.

Below, are some of the most common reasons we receive referrals from other practitioners. When in doubt, contact us and we'd be happy to discuss how occupational therapy can play a role in your client's care.

Our occupational therapists are able to assist with clients who experience difficulty with the following:

PTSD and accessing the community
Low Mood, Depression, Anxiety
Concussion symptoms lasting greater than 14 days
Long COVID Symptoms
Post-Cancer “Brain Fog & Fatigue”
General Fatigue or Difficulty with Sleep
Persistent Pain
Poor Ergonomic Set Up at Work
Completing ADLs and IADLs such as dressing, bathing, eating, driving, cooking, banking, going out in public etc.
Reduced strength or range of motion as a result of stroke, brain injury or musculoskeletal issues

Cognitive difficulties in:

Planning and Organization
Concentration and Attention
Problem Solving and Decision Making
Slowed Processing Speed
Poor Memory

Other indications of an appropriate OT referral may include:

Noticing client has moderate to above average scores on the psychosocial questionnaires being filled out e.g., challenges with pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, low mood, high perception of disability etc.
Client is experiencing heightened anxiety following an accident or MVA, difficulty returning to driving, difficulty leaving their home for appointments or to participate in previously enjoyable activities
Client has poor understanding of proper body mechanics
Complicated return to work

In 1:1 sessions delivered online or in-person, our OTs are able to assist with:

Conducting functional assessments and helping clients develop and achieve goals within the areas they are struggling
Providing clients functional ways to improve concentration, memory, attention, processing speed, problem solving and decision-making skills
Teaching clients about energy conservation, planning and pacing and sleep hygiene
Providing clients with coping strategies for decreasing stress and anxiety
Providing strength and range of motion exercises to assist with recovery following injury
Providing education around persistent pain and persistent concussion symptoms

In the community, our OTs are able to assist with:

Providing clients with in-vivo exposure therapy to assist with PTSD, fear of returning to driving, or fear of being in public
Conducting ergonomic assessments in the workplace and assisting the multi-disciplinary team in creating gradual return to work plans
Conducting home equipment assessments, home modification assessments and personal needs assessments, to ensure clients have access to the supports they need during their recovery (e.g., from a workplace injury, post-surgery or to help prevent future falls)

Many private health care plans provide up to $500 in OT coverage per year and our OTs are able to create treatment proposals and direct bill STD, LTD, MVA, and WCB adjusters

Make a Referral

Information for Healthcare Providers

PTSD and accessing the community

Low Mood, Depression, Anxiety

Concussion symptoms lasting greater than 14 days

Long COVID Symptoms

Post-Cancer “Brain Fog & Fatigue”

General Fatigue or Difficulty with Sleep

Persistent Pain

Poor Ergonomic Set Up at Work

Completing ADLs and IADLs such as dressing, bathing, eating, driving, cooking, banking, going out in public etc.

Reduced strength or range of motion as a result of stroke, brain injury or musculoskeletal issues

Cognitive difficulties in:

Planning and Organization

Concentration and Attention

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Slowed Processing Speed

Poor Memory

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Other indications of an appropriate OT referral may include:

Noticing client has moderate to above average scores on the psychosocial questionnaires being filled out e.g., challenges with pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, low mood, high perception of disability etc.

Client is experiencing heightened anxiety following an accident or MVA, difficulty returning to driving, difficulty leaving their home for appointments or to participate in previously enjoyable activities

Client has poor understanding of proper body mechanics

Complicated return to work

​

In 1:1 sessions delivered online or in-person, our OTs are able to assist with:

Conducting functional assessments and helping clients develop and achieve goals within the areas they are struggling

Providing clients functional ways to improve concentration, memory, attention, processing speed, problem solving and decision-making skills

Teaching clients about energy conservation, planning and pacing and sleep hygiene

Providing clients with coping strategies for decreasing stress and anxiety

Providing strength and range of motion exercises to assist with recovery following injury

Providing education around persistent pain and persistent concussion symptoms

In the community, our OTs are able to assist with:

Providing clients with in-vivo exposure therapy to assist with PTSD, fear of returning to driving, or fear of being in public

Conducting ergonomic assessments in the workplace and assisting the multi-disciplinary team in creating gradual return to work plans

Conducting home equipment assessments, home modification assessments and personal needs assessments, to ensure clients have access to the supports they need during their recovery (e.g., from a workplace injury, post-surgery or to help prevent future falls)

Many private health care plans provide up to $500 in OT coverage per year and our OTs are able to create treatment proposals and direct bill STD, LTD, MVA, and WCB adjusters

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