Lifeworks Occupational Therapy Blog

As a health professional, providing the best care is of utmost importance, especially when it comes to individuals experiencing trauma. Symptoms of trauma may manifest as flashbacks, nightmares, uncontrollable thoughts, feelings of fear, helplessness, guilt, anxiety, sadness, mood swings, behaviour changes, difficulty coping, and physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, racing heart, sweating, or feeling jumpy. Lifeworks Occupational Therapy has established a solid foundation for assisting individuals with trauma in improving their quality of life. The 3 R’s Model: Regulate, Relate, Reason You may be familiar with the simple 3 R’s model used in the education system – Regulate, Relate, Reason. Occupational Therapists (OTs) employ this model in various ways to build and enhance function in individuals who have experienced trauma. Regulate: One of the most challenging skills for individuals with trauma, particularly complex trauma, is the ability to...

Thanks to apps like Tik Tok, there has been a significantly increased awareness of neurodivergent conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, leading to more adults seeking a diagnosis. As occupational therapists, we are passionate about helping people to overcome barriers and achieve their goals. We have been seeing a greater number of people with ADHD seeking OT for assistance with developing routines, managing their symptoms, and getting important things done. Here are several ways OTs can support people with ADHD: Exploring strategies for improving executive function such as timers, diaries, and environmental modifications Setting up the environment to reduce distractions and improve performance Developing routines Providing psychoeducation on why their brain is the way it is (ADHD is essentially difficulty in regulating attention) Provide strategies on emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness Explore assistive technology such as noise-cancelling headphone...