Occupational assessment
A detailed look at routines, roles, strengths and the specific barriers getting in the way.
Mental health occupational therapy for everyday life
Practical occupational therapy for adults and young people whose mental health is making routine, motivation, self-care, work or study harder, delivered at home, in the community or by video alongside the care you already have.
- Routine and activity planning
- Anxiety and burnout support
- Return to work or study
- Home, community or video
Request a quote
Tell us a little about what you need and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
Our approach
Practical mental health OT from Private Occupational Therapy
Private Occupational Therapy provides mental health occupational therapy for adults and young people, helping them rebuild routine, motivation and confidence in everyday activities such as self-care, work, study and getting out.
An occupational therapist starts with an initial conversation, then assesses your routines, strengths and barriers. You receive a written plan with goals, followed by practical sessions at home, out in the community or by video. Rather than revisiting the past, sessions focus on what a good week could look like and the small steps to get there.
What happens when you get in touch
- A conversation about your goals first
- A quote before sessions are booked
- A clear written plan you can act on
- Self-referral, with no GP referral needed
- Support at a pace that feels manageable
Who it's for
Who is mental health OT for?
This service suits people who understand what is going on for them but are stuck when it comes to putting change into practice.
Some are recovering from a period of depression or anxiety and want to rebuild their days. Others are off work with stress or burnout, or are students who have stepped back from college or university. Autistic adults and adults with ADHD often value practical help with structure, organisation and overload.
Signs this support could help
- Days with little structure or routine
- Struggling to start or finish tasks
- Avoiding places because of anxiety
- Exhaustion and burnout after work stress
- A young person not attending school
- Off work or study and unsure how to return
- Self-care, sleep or meals slipping
- Losing touch with hobbies and friends
What's included
What's included in mental health OT
Each programme draws on the approaches that fit the person's goals and circumstances.
Routine building
A realistic weekly pattern that supports sleep, meals, self-care and activities you value.
Graded activity
Step-by-step plans to face avoided places and tasks, starting small and building up.
Anxiety and regulation
Practical tools for managing stress, overwhelm and sensory overload in daily life.
Burnout and pacing
Balancing energy across the week so recovery is steady and setbacks are easier to manage.
Work and study planning
Phased plans for returning to a job, course or placement, agreed with the people involved.
Young people, anxiety and school avoidance
Emotionally based school avoidance can leave a young person isolated and a family exhausted. Occupational therapy looks at what happens across the whole day, from sleep and mornings to sensory pressures in school and the steps involved in getting through the gate. Plans are built with the young person, so they feel some control over the pace.
With consent, the therapist can share strategies with the school and SENCO, and suggest adjustments for a phased return. Where sensory needs play a large part, sensory processing support may also be relevant, and families pursuing extra provision may find EHCP and school assessments useful.
Typical goals and how OT fits with your other care
Goals are set together and kept concrete: getting up at a regular time on weekdays, cooking three evening meals a week, taking the bus into town, returning to a hobby or completing a phased return to work. Progress is reviewed against those goals, so it is easy to see what is working and adjust what is not.
Alongside your GP, psychologist or counsellor
Occupational therapy complements medical and psychological care and does not replace it. Many people use it to put into practice what they have worked on in talking therapy. With your consent, Private Occupational Therapy can keep your GP or psychologist informed so everyone is pulling in the same direction.
If you need urgent help
This is not a crisis or emergency service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose option 2. Samaritans can be reached on 116 123 at any time of day or night.
How it works
Starting mental health occupational therapy
Each step builds on the one before, starting from a short first message.
Send a few details
Use the quote form or email to outline what is difficult and what you would like to change.
Initial conversation
A short discussion checks that occupational therapy is the right fit and who else is involved in your care.
Assessment and plan
Your routines and goals are explored in depth, leading to a written plan with recommended sessions.
Sessions and reviews
Regular sessions put the plan into action, with reviews at agreed points.
Sessions at home, in the community or by video
Sessions can take place at home, by video or out in the community across Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham. Community sessions are particularly useful for graded activity, such as practising the commute to work or a visit to a busy shop with support. Coverage is listed on areas we cover.
Reports and letters
After assessment you receive a written summary of findings and goals. With consent, reports can support a phased return agreed with an employer, adjustments at school or college, or an insurance claim. For workplace-focused support, see return to work rehabilitation.
Fees and funding
Many clients self-fund, while some sessions are paid for by employers, insurers or a personal health budget where the funder agrees. The fees and funding page sets out the options.
FAQs
Mental health occupational therapy FAQs
Is this the same as counselling?
No. Occupational therapy concentrates on practical routines and activities rather than talking therapy, though the two often work well side by side.
Do I need a diagnosis?
No. Support is based on the difficulties you are having with daily life, with or without a formal diagnosis.
Can my employer be involved?
Yes, if you want them to be. Employers sometimes fund sessions or take part in planning a phased return, and nothing is shared without your agreement.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your goals. A recommended number of sessions is agreed after assessment and reviewed as you go.
Ask about mental health occupational therapy
Send a few lines about what feels difficult at the moment and what you would like to get back to, and Private Occupational Therapy will reply by email with next steps and a quote.