Occupational therapy
Newbridge House provides an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to treatment and occupational therapy is a key part of this approach. In this way, we are able to respond to and meet the physical, psychological and social needs of each individual patient.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is concerned with the activities, or occupations which we engage in during everyday life. Our occupations are divided into three groups - self-care, productivity and leisure activities.
Occupational therapists look at how people manage in these three areas of occupation. They support people to explore how their motivation, habits and skills have an impact on their day to day activities within their home and social life.
The occupational therapist will support an individual to identify the barriers to a healthy and balanced lifestyle in order to identify and work on positive changes.
The occupational therapist will educate individuals on the importance of the balance between self-care, productivity and leisure activities, which is important for our overall well being.
Why is occupational therapy helpful in the treatment of eating disorders?
"Occupational therapy is a very practical, problem-solving approach to everyday life. It enables us to be very responsive to each individual and provide a framework to help them achieve greater balance in their life."
occupational therapist,
Newbridge House.
Occupational therapy is a well established, practical approach to helping people with a wide range of difficulties, including those with learning disabilities, physical and mental health issues.
Occupational therapy is considered to be very valuable as part of an integrated eating disorders treatment programme. People with an eating disorder are likely to have a marked imbalance in their daily activities.
To take leisure activities as an example, a young person who has anorexia may over-exercise very excessively, rather than take part in exercise as an enjoyable leisure activity.
The young person will not engage in regular, enjoyable leisure activities, such as going out for a meal with friends, because of the impact of their eating disorder.
Occupational therapy, in combination with other therapeutic approaches, provides a way of helping the individual to rebalance their activities into a more healthy and balanced pattern.
It harnesses the motivation of each individual and helps them to develop the skills needed to live a more balanced life.
Occupational therapy at Newbridge House
"This is likely to be a very difficult time and is often the first occasion when a young person is away from home. By asking about their typical day and their interests, we build a framework to help them to settle in and work on their motivation and life balance."
occupational therapist,
Newbridge House.
When an individual is admitted to Newbridge House, they will meet the occupational therapist and discuss their daily routine and interests with them.
The aim is to integrate each person's interests and daily routine into their activities at Newbridge House. The occupational therapist will build up an understanding of what they enjoy and their motivation.
For example, they may enjoy spending time with their friends, but regret not being able to join them when social activities involve food. Occupational therapy provides a way of building on motivation and providing the individual with new skills to help achieve a better balance of activities.
Occupational therapists run and contribute to a range of groups, covering lifestyle rebalance, social skills and art based groups.
The lifestyle rebalance group provides an opportunity for each patient to reflect on their previous routine. For example, they may be encouraged to consider the difference between excessive exercise and social sport and how that understanding could be applied to their own lives.
The social eating group is used to facilitate a graded approach to eating snacks, progressing to meals out in the community. The group uses the experience of outings into the community, for example visiting cafes, parks, shopping centres, to enable each individual to adjust and adapt to eating away from Newbridge.
Progress is made incrementally, reflecting the needs of each individual and the stage they have reached. A meal out is a goal which will be achieved very gradually, taking account of the individual's progress in the treatment programme and individual needs.
An older individual, or someone who will go on to independent living at university for example, will progress to focus on life skills training around meal planning, shopping and cooking skills, in preparation for life after discharge.
A younger person, who may be returning home to live with parents and will not be responsible for day-to-day cooking, will focus on different life skills.
When working with younger people, the occupational therapists will work closely with the parents, to ensure they are able to provide support to sustain their lifestyle changes after discharge.
Occupational therapy offers two creative therapy groups. The projective art group provides a creative therapeutic setting through which the individual can creatively explore current feelings and the possibility of change. A crafts group is offered to enable individuals to experience a creative outlet for sampling new interests.
Our facilities enable the occupational therapists to work to maximum benefit. Newbridge House has an occupational therapy kitchen, enabling patients to cook and eat meals as they would do at home and a large craft and activity area.
How do you qualify as an occupational therapist?
To qualify as an occupational therapist, it is necessary to study for a three year degree. During this time, students will undertake a range of placements in healthcare, adding up to 30 weeks of practical experience. Occupational therapists are trained in both physical and mental healthcare.