Align Wellness OT

01/08/2025

01/08/2025

Michelle Oliver’s recent article highlights the value that mental health occupational therapists (MHOTs) bring to the mental health care system, particularly in expanding access to practical, person-centred care amidst growing patient demand and long waitlists.

Whilst this visibility is appreciated and long overdue, I feel the article fell short of fully capturing the depth of training, clinical expertise, and professional regulation that underpin the work of MHOTs. In positioning occupational therapists as an “alternative” for patients hesitant to see a psychologist, it risks reinforcing outdated misconceptions, portraying MHOTs as a lower-intensity or softer option, rather than the highly skilled, clinicians that we are. To be eligible for endorsement MHOTs must meet strict criteria set by the Occupational Therapy Australia, including:

-Postgraduate training in mental health, psychotherapy, or psychosocial interventions -Supervised clinical practice hours in mental health settings
-Demonstrated competence in one or more evidence-based therapeutic frameworks, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy to name a couple
-Ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) specifically in the field of mental health

These requirements are in place to ensure that endorsed MHOTs are not only competent in functional rehabilitation but also qualified mental health clinicians in their own right, capable of delivering psychological interventions in line with the Medicare requirements.

By omitting this information, the article inadvertently underrepresents our clinical scope, and may perpetuate the very lack of awareness it seeks to address. The narrative focuses heavily on re-engagement with daily routines and functioning, which are undoubtedly crucial, but it fails to acknowledge that MHOTs also work therapeutically with complex trauma, mood disorders, suicidality, emotional dysregulation, psychosis, and more.

MHOTs bring a unique dual lens: the ability to integrate evidence-based psychotherapy with a functional, occupation-focused approach grounded in the person’s everyday environment. This is not a “softer” version of therapy. it's an approach that bridges the gap between the cognitive and the behavioural, the emotional and the practical.

If GPs, other referrers and people seeking mental health support are to truly appreciate the value of MHOTs, public discourse must go beyond surface-level descriptions and acknowledge the depth of expertise we as mental health professionals offer.

Moving forward I believe it is crucial that professional communications and advocacy efforts articulate not only what OTs do, but also how and why they are equipped to do it, with clear reference to our clinical competencies. Only then can we ensure that the role of MHOTs is not seen as a"soft" alternative to psychology, but as a parallel and equally vital pillar in Australia’s mental health care ecosystem.

🔹 Michelle Oliver in Medical Forum: The Untapped Power of Mental Health OTs

In her guest column for Medical Forum, OTA’s Chief Occupational Therapist, Michelle Oliver, is calling for a broader mental health referral mindset.

Michelle highlights the vital, and often overlooked, role mental health OTs can play for patients who aren’t ready for traditional therapy or are stuck on long waitlists.

“For patients who may not feel ready to see a psychologist, GPs should consider referring to a mental health OT”, writes Michelle.

With psychologist waitlists growing and one-size-fits-all care falling short, Michelle outlines how mental health OTs offer a vital, person-centred alternative, helping people rebuild routines, reconnect with daily life, and regain a sense of purpose.

📖 Read the full article:
https://mforum.com.au/the-untapped-power-of-mental-health-ots/

24/07/2025

I’m a mental health occupational therapist, DBT practitioner, trauma therapist, and certified mindfulness breathwork facilitator with over 18 years of experience helping people navigate intense emotions, tricky relationships, and burnout.

13/07/2025

99.6 days is the average wait time for a person wanting to see a psychologist in Australia! After 18 years in mental health, working across public and private sectors, leading teams, developing services, publishing research, and supporting countless individuals through some of their darkest times, o...

08/07/2025

Whether you're a therapist, been in therapy or both, I'd love to hear your first session wins (and fails), because we're all constantly learning, let's do it together.

11/04/2025

In my own work and the stories people have shared: I see the same emotional experience showing up in different bodies, described with different labels, and met with very different responses from the systems that are meant to support healing.

Someone with ADHD is told they have Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria—a term that validates their pain and often leads to understanding and compassion.

Someone with BPD? They might be described as attention-seeking, manipulative, or non-compliant—and find themselves stigmaitsed or even excluded from care.

It's often the same emotional experiences—shame, fear of rejection, overwhelm—just described through different lenses.

The difference? Often just semantics. Labels. Language. And underneath it all—clinician bias.

The words we use shape the care people receive, the stories they tell themselves, and how much compassion they’re "allowed".

We don’t like to talk about it, but it’s there.
Some diagnoses evoke empathy.
Others trigger skepticism, fear, or frustration.
Some people are offered coaching, accommodations, and flexibility.
Others are offered boundaries, consequences, and discharge plans.

Bias inevitably shapes:

How they listen
What they pathologize vs. validate
What tools they choose to offer—or withhold
Whether they see the behavior as a skill deficit, a trauma response, or a character flaw

This matters, because people often internalize not just the diagnosis—but the tone and response they receive to it.

We talk a lot about “evidence-based treatment.” But the evidence is clear: the relationship, the alliance, and the contextual understanding of a client’s experience are often far more predictive of outcomes than the label itself

If don’t pause to examine our own assumptions—if we don’t question the semantic hierarchies that shape treatment—we risk upholding systems that do more harm than healing.

This post isn’t about erasing diagnoses, but I do wonder what would be different without them

09/04/2025

I’m sharing this because I’ve noticed a growing trend of people vilifying approaches like DBT—dismissing it as rigid, "behaviour modification" that invalidates individuals lived experience.

And I get it. The language of "behaviour modification" can feel clinical, cold, even coercive—especially for those who’ve been pathologized, controlled, or misunderstood in therapeutic settings.

But here’s what I see, and how I like to approach learning "new" behaviour
It’s not about compliance. It’s about compassionate, skillful change.
It’s about building habits that help us live in alignment with our values.
It’s about unlearning survival strategies that once protected us—but now get in the way of connection, self-trust, and living the a life we want.

We all engage in behaviour change.
When we work toward building better habits or breaking old ones, that’s behaviour change, and we celebrate it.

So instead of rejecting whole models based on semantics, be curious and ask:
How is the approach applied?
Does it center autonomy and consent?
Is it trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming?

The tools are only as healing as the context and spirit in which they’re offered.

08/04/2025

Over the years, I’ve noticed how often we pathologize what are, at their core, deeply human survival responses. Masking, people pleasing, and an unstable sense of self are often described as separate “problems”—when really, they’re different faces of the same truth: it hasn’t always felt safe to be ourselves.

These labels can be helpful for understanding our experiences, and may even create a sense of belonging—but they can also create false separations. For those out there that don't have a diagnosis or don't fit neatly into a box, it can cause confusion and potentially prevent people from help seeking.

When we reduce someone’s coping strategy to a single diagnostic term, we risk missing the full context of their story—and worse, we might create barriers to them receiving the support they deserve.

I believe we need to shift the conversation. Less focus on what to call it. More curiosity about why it makes sense that someone adapted in the way they did.

Join the conversation. I'd love to hear your thoughts 👇

01/04/2025

Perhaps I'm an idealist?

Whether you're a therapist, clinician or someone who is or has accessed therapy, what are your thoughts on this?

Can anyone sell me the benefits of the "50min hour"?

What changes or creative ideas would make therapy more supportive or sustainable for you?

22/02/2025

We love them AND sometimes it feels really hard.

If you have a loved one who struggles with their emotions, supporting them can sometimes feel overwhelming, confusing and lonely. Like being on a rollercoaster wearing a blindfold.

You CAN support them without sacrificing your own well-being. You don’t have to feel helpless, and you don’t have to do this alone.

✨ Join my free online workshop to gain the knowledge, skills, and support you need to go from overwhelmed to empowered.✨

If you are supporting a loved one with:

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism
Or
They identify as being Highly Sensitive and/or they
struggle with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

This workshop is for you.

📅 Spots are limited—reserve yours now! click the Link https://forms.gle/RZqL9yWmhWWFynLA7 🧡 Or send me a DM and I'll shoot it right over.

Save, Like, Share xx

21/02/2025

When supporting someone’s mental health and well-being, it’s never just about one part of their life. True healing and growth happen when we see the whole person — their habits, values, relationships, work, play, self-care, and the environments that shape them.

This beautiful model reminds us that a person’s physical, cultural, social, and virtual environments deeply impact how they live, love, and thrive. It’s about balance, honoring personal experiences, and empowering meaningful change!

🔸 Productivity isn’t just about work — it’s about finding purpose.
🔸 Leisure isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity for joy.
🔸 Relationships ground us and help us grow.
🔸 Self-Care is the foundation that holds it all together.
🔸 At the center is the Person — with their unique spirit, stories, and strengths.

In my work, I use this holistic lens to help people feel seen, understood, and capable of creating the life they want. If you’re curious about what this looks like in practice, join my free webinar where I’ll share how to truly empower the ones you love.

Drop 🧡 if you believe in holistic healing!

19/02/2025

Have you ever felt like traditional therapy wasn’t built for the way your brain works?

We all have unique sensory profiles and learning styles. An OT can help you find or create ways to make therapy and skills work for you.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this 🧡