What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a type of healthcare intervention that helps people find ways to do daily activities that they need or want to do for greater independence or mental health in everyday life.
What occupational therapists do
Occupational therapists are health care professionals who work with people to help them reach their best level of function and independence in their everyday life.
Various health issues can pose barriers to participating in daily activities. Occupational therapists help people to:
- learn new ways of doing things
- regain skills and develop new ones
- use materials or equipment that makes life easier, or
- adapt their environment to work better for them.
These solutions help people to do as much as they can – safely and effectively – at home, at school, at work or in other settings.
Activities can include things like getting dressed, cooking, working, or playing.
Where you can find occupational therapists working
As health care professionals, occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings. They work with patients to help them feel more independent and improve their lives. This includes helping with physical, emotional and mental challenges.
Locations:
- Hospitals, care facilities, and clinics
- Rehabilitation centres and programs
- Recreation centres and nursing homes
- Schools
- Home care and private practice
- Vocational programs and insurance companies
- Health promotion and disability prevention/management
- Accessibility programs
Finding an Occupational Therapist
The College registers occupational therapists to practise in Ontario. It cannot choose or recommend an occupational therapist for your care. If you are looking for an occupational therapist in your area, professional associations may help you find one.
Both the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) have online lists where you can search for occupational therapists by location, services provided, client age groups, and more.
After finding an occupational therapist you may want to work with, you should confirm they are registered with the College and entitled to practice in Ontario. You can do this by searching the List of Registered Occupational Therapists.
The College’s list is an official, up-to-date list of all occupational therapists who are, or were, registered to practise in Ontario. The list confirms registration status and shows whether there are any conditions or concerns that may affect an occupational therapist’s practice.
If you have questions about the information on the list, please contact the College. We are here to help.
What occupational therapists do and don’t do
Occupational therapists work with people to develop, recover or maintain skills for daily living and work. They work with doctors, nurses and other health care and social work professionals. Their focus is helping people re-engage with activities that are essential to their quality of life.
The unique expertise of occupational therapists is to analyze what people do and what they want or need to do, and help them to do it. Occupational therapists co-create approaches with their clients.
They are mindful of people’s rights, needs, preferences, values, abilities, and environments. They work with clients to support their health and well-being.
Help people resume or maintain participation in everyday life.
Take a client-centered approach to co-create solutions.
Are trained in mental health.
Are able to perform psychotherapy.
Don’t prescribe medications.
Don’t order lab tests.
What you can expect from your occupational therapist
Working with an occupational therapist (OT) registered with the College ensures you get safe and ethical care.
Every occupational therapist practicing in Ontario has to meet the College’s requirements to call themselves an occupational therapist. The College ensures safety and quality in occupational therapy through our standards and programs.
Essential education and requirements
Occupational therapists need a certain level of education to be able to practice in Ontario. This ensures that they are qualified to work with you or someone in your care.
In order to practice in Ontario, occupational therapists must have:
- a Bachelor of Science degree or Master of Science in Occupational Therapy obtained in Ontario; or
- an academic qualification considered equivalent by the College’s Registration Committee; plus
- a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (on-the-job training) or clinical practicum (observation and experience) as part of their education program.
“Every occupational therapist practicing in Ontario must meet the College’s requirements.”
Your rights as a client
Your care and well-being come first for your occupational therapist. They work with a high level of skills, knowledge and integrity. Your occupational therapist will work with you to develop an occupational therapy plan that can be reviewed and changed as needed.
You have the right to ask your occupational therapist any questions about your condition, progress and courses of action. You should receive explanations in plain language.
Funding your services
Occupational therapy services provided to patients in medical facilities such as hospitals and rehabilitation centres are financed by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Afterwards, you may need more help to resume or manage your daily activities, even if you don’t have a doctor’s referral. Learn more about the ways you can fund your care depending on your needs and circumstances.
Considerations when hiring an occupational therapist
Any occupational therapist should ask you a series of questions to understand your needs and goals. It’s just as important to have your questions answered, so that you have the information needed to make good decisions.
Relevant resources
Next steps and contacts
Finding an occupational therapist
We are here to confirm your occupational therapist is licensed and in good standing.
Contact us for support
Get in touch with us with any questions or comments you may have.
Complaints
Share your concerns about an occupational therapist or learn more about how we can help.