How do you start a private practice in mental health OT?
Answer
I had a reputation in the community for the services that I provided. I was well known at the hospital and amongst therapists that were not OT's and also the psychiatrists. The child and adolescent psychiatrist that I worked with at the hospital also had outpatients. He was a steady referral source for me so that worked out very well. I will say that you will probably need to have the skills from previous work with adolescents before you go into their homes. You need some experience as you go into a home, like the home I mentioned where the family was screaming at each other all the time. If you have not seen that type of situation before, it could be very startling or off-putting. That was very helpful to go into people's houses, and it also gives you a picture of what family life is like. There is no way you can see that in other treatment settings. It was also cost-effective as I did not need an office as I was completing therapy at their homes.
One of the things that made it helpful and doable for me, and also for families, was that I did not accept insurance. Most of the time, insurance companies do not reimburse very well or they limit people's amount of time that they can spend in therapy. I did my visits on a cash fee for service basis. I also had some contracts from places like a foster care agency where we would have a fee for service that they sent me. Eventually I saw the need to have an office. That was very successful because there are also problems that arise from having other siblings at the household. I had one instance where a sibling of a client was starting to act out because he wanted a person like me to come to their house to see them instead of their sibling.
1https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/mental-health-adolescents-psychosocial-occupational-5181Mental Health of Adolescents: Psychosocial Occupational Therapy for Adolescent PopulationsAn overview of occupational therapy practice with adolescents experiencing mental health issues, including suicide and the effects of the pandemic will be presented. Common diagnoses, presenting problems, psychosocial stressors and basic concepts used in providing occupational therapy are examined. Occupational therapy programing, assessments, interventions and emerging trends and practice opportunities are identified.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comMental Health of Adolescents: Psychosocial Occupational Therapy for Adolescent PopulationsAn overview of occupational therapy practice with adolescents experiencing mental health issues, including suicide and the effects of the pandemic will be presented. Common diagnoses, presenting problems, psychosocial stressors and basic concepts used in providing occupational therapy are examined. Occupational therapy programing, assessments, interventions and emerging trends and practice opportunities are identified.5181OnlinePT60M
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, 02331; CE Broker/1.0 Computer-Based Training, General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-842345; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Mental Health
An overview of occupational therapy practice with adolescents experiencing mental health issues, including suicide and the effects of the pandemic will be presented. Common diagnoses, presenting problems, psychosocial stressors and basic concepts used in providing occupational therapy are examined. Occupational therapy programing, assessments, interventions and emerging trends and practice opportunities are identified.
2https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/disability-inclusion-what-healthcare-providers-5632Disability Inclusion: What Healthcare Providers Need To KnowAs a person with a disability and an occupational therapist, I have a unique perspective of living in two worlds. In this course, I will share my personal experience and things I wish healthcare providers knew and understood about living with a disability.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comDisability Inclusion: What Healthcare Providers Need To KnowAs a person with a disability and an occupational therapist, I have a unique perspective of living in two worlds. In this course, I will share my personal experience and things I wish healthcare providers knew and understood about living with a disability.5632OnlinePT60M
'The presenter is so engaging and not only provided good examples and so much insight into her experiences living with a disability, but identifies many areas that need to be considered for disability inclusion'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, Foundational Knowledge, 04786; CE Broker/1.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-923997; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Education And/or Research
As a person with a disability and an occupational therapist, I have a unique perspective of living in two worlds. In this course, I will share my personal experience and things I wish healthcare providers knew and understood about living with a disability.
3https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/incontinence-home-program-to-stop-5384Incontinence: A Home Program to Stop Leaks and Teach Healthy Bladder and Bowel HabitsMillions of Americans are negatively impacted by bladder dysfunction. This course discusses the OT’s role in treating incontinence, bladder urgency, and nocturia. It also summarizes treatment applications, practical strategies, successful home programs, and how to become board certified in this specialty field.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comIncontinence: A Home Program to Stop Leaks and Teach Healthy Bladder and Bowel HabitsMillions of Americans are negatively impacted by bladder dysfunction. This course discusses the OT’s role in treating incontinence, bladder urgency, and nocturia. It also summarizes treatment applications, practical strategies, successful home programs, and how to become board certified in this specialty field.5384OnlinePT60M
'very informative regarding anatomy and treatment options'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, 03382; CE Broker/1.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-871065; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Rehabilitation
Millions of Americans are negatively impacted by bladder dysfunction. This course discusses the OT’s role in treating incontinence, bladder urgency, and nocturia. It also summarizes treatment applications, practical strategies, successful home programs, and how to become board certified in this specialty field.
4https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/restorative-yoga-integrative-approach-to-5901Restorative Yoga: An Integrative Approach To Promote Occupational PerformanceThe past decade has seen an exponential growth in the use mindfulness-based interventions among health professionals. This program will explore how restorative yoga can be used by occupational therapy practitioners to promote occupational performance.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comRestorative Yoga: An Integrative Approach To Promote Occupational PerformanceThe past decade has seen an exponential growth in the use mindfulness-based interventions among health professionals. This program will explore how restorative yoga can be used by occupational therapy practitioners to promote occupational performance.5901OnlinePT90M
'Pictures that demonstrated postures clearly; functional applications; included how to document; obviously experienced instructor who demonstrated and explained things clearly; clear slide show with concise lists/ examples'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.15 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, 06540; CE Broker/1.5 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-1042368; IACET/0.2; NBCOT PDUs/1.88 Beginner, Health And Wellness
The past decade has seen an exponential growth in the use mindfulness-based interventions among health professionals. This program will explore how restorative yoga can be used by occupational therapy practitioners to promote occupational performance.
5https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/treating-sleep-deficits-in-individuals-5646Treating Sleep Deficits In Individuals With Neurological Impairment Utilizing Occupation-Based Sleep InterventionsThe incidence of sleep deficits in the neurological population, as well as the secondary occupational deficits related to fatigue, will be discussed in this course. Occupation-based sleep assessment and intervention techniques will also be introduced.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comTreating Sleep Deficits In Individuals With Neurological Impairment Utilizing Occupation-Based Sleep InterventionsThe incidence of sleep deficits in the neurological population, as well as the secondary occupational deficits related to fatigue, will be discussed in this course. Occupation-based sleep assessment and intervention techniques will also be introduced.5646OnlinePT60M
'I really enjoyed the way the instructor presented the material with examples provided'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Intermediate, OT Service Delivery, 04806; CE Broker/1.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-932078; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Intermediate, Rehabilitation
The incidence of sleep deficits in the neurological population, as well as the secondary occupational deficits related to fatigue, will be discussed in this course. Occupation-based sleep assessment and intervention techniques will also be introduced.