How is Occupational Therapy Used in Mental Health?

Occupational therapy (OT) originated as a mental health treatment in the early twentieth century. Developed to assist returning World War I veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, known at the time as “shell-shock”), occupational therapy employed civilian women (called reconstruction aides, or RAs) to help soldiers manage their trauma and reorient to civilian life.

OT has come a long way since then. Today, this mental and physical remediation science provides assessments to treat physical and mental health disabilities using therapies like sensory integration, coping strategies, and behavioral modification.

How is occupational therapy used in mental health? This article addresses that question by discussing:

• The role of OT in mental health
• What is an occupational therapy master’s?
• What are the top schools that offer occupational therapy master’s?

The role of OT in mental health

OT patients may struggle to plan tasks, solve problems, organize themselves, and make decisions. They may also face challenges managing their emotions. An occupational therapist can assist patients in overcoming these obstacles and finding healthy methods to manage daily life.

Inpatient and outpatient treatments require slightly different roles for mental health occupational therapists. However, in both settings, treatment plans focus on raising a patient’s knowledge of their disease (insight) and broadening the range of life skills and techniques they employ to manage their dysfunction and achieve greater well-being.

Occupational therapists help patients deal with emotional, social, and behavioral health disabilities in everyday life situations. Many OTs work with people who have mental health conditions as well as developmental, cognitive, or physical impediments. OT can help those with mental illness or developmental issues improve their social relationships, conduct, work, and academic performance.

Self-care

Self-care includes dressing, eating, toileting, bathing, and grooming; therapists provide hands-on guidance in these abilities to patients. In mental health settings, therapists may focus on obstacles to self-care, such as low motivation, low energy, fluctuating mood, uncertain housing, and lack of financial means. Hobby participation, yoga, exercise, and similar relaxation practices can reduce stress levels to promote more effective self-care.

Emotion regulation

Emotion regulation covers everything from anger management to interpersonal dynamics to conflict resolution. Therapists work with patients to help them recognize their feelings, understand what drives them, and develop constructive approaches to managing and expressing them. Clinicians use calming techniques, stress management tools (e.g. fidget toys), exercise, and meditation practices to assist patients.

Pain management

One in four Americans suffers from chronic pain; medical care and lost productivity due to pain cost the nation over $500 billion each year. OT promotes pain self-management through adaptive approaches to daily tasks. A therapist helps patients identify challenging activities and develop strategies to reduce pain while improving performance. Teaching patients the causes of pain, pain control strategies, and proper ergonomics often contribute to successful therapy. Managing pain can help reduce the stress caused by mental health challenges and in this way assist with mental health treatment.

Community mobility or re-entry

Community mobility involves driving, cycling, public transportation, taxis, and other transportation systems. Mobility is essential to independent living as it facilitates shopping, dining, socializing, and other meaningful activities. Therapists assess patients’ capability to manage various transportation options and work with them to develop or redevelop the skills necessary to utilize them by building strength, range of motion, and coordination.

Social skills and communication

Occupational therapists work in mental health settings to provide therapies promoting communication and other social skills. OTs are trained to recognize and categorize various forms of social and communication dysfunction through assessment and to prescribe appropriate interventions that facilitate communication and build social skills.

What is an occupational therapy master’s?

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is a post-baccalaureate practice degree designed for students interested in becoming professional occupational therapists. In order to practice in the United States, you must have completed at least a master’s degree. Graduates need to take the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy examination (NBCOT). When graduates combine their degree with national board certifications and state licenses, they have all they need to practice.

How long does it take to earn an occupational therapy degree?

Getting a master’s in occupational therapy typically takes two to three years; it depends on the school and program you choose. Then you’ll need 30 to 90 days to study for and take the NBCOT exam.

Curriculum

Future occupational therapists learn how to help people improve their health and quality of life by engaging in meaningful daily activities in master’s degree programs in occupational therapy. Students learn how to assess clients’ functional needs, devise solutions, and implement them to help them become more self-sufficient. Examples of courses for a master’s in occupational therapy include:

• Biomechanical Theory & Practice
• Developmental Theory and Practice
• Foundations of Occupation
• Neurobehavioral Science
• Neurorehabilitation Theory & Practice
• Productive Aging Theory and Practice
• Psychosocial/Cognitive Theory and Practice

Specialization

Occupational therapists sometimes add a speciality after earning their master’s degree and working in the field. Earning a certificate from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or another certificate-granting body is required to add a speciality. In some circumstances, you’ll need to take classes or take an exam; in others, demonstrating your existing experience will suffice.

What are the top schools that offer occupational therapy master’s?

The American Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) has approved 220 master’s in occupational therapy programs in the United States. Students must have completed an ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy program to sit for the NBCOT exam.

Top occupational therapy programs, according to US News & World Report, include the following.

• Boston University

• Colorado State University

• Columbia University

• New York University

• Thomas Jefferson University

• Tufts University

• University of Illinois at Chicago

• University of Pittsburgh

• University of Southern California

• Washington University in St. Louis
  St. Louis, MO

Online/hybrid options

Many master’s in occupational therapy programs are delivered on-campus due to the complicated nature of occupational therapy practice. While occupational therapy is a very hands-on profession, online master’s in occupational therapy programs are available for those who desire to finish their education from a distance. Most online programs require you to complete a specified number of clinical hours in person before you may graduate.

• Concordia University – Wisconsin
• Mount Mary University
• University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
• The University of Texas at Tyler
• New England Institute of Technology

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