OT4Life Occupational Therapy Services

05/29/2025

Join myself and my favourite Rehab Assistant Dhalla in Ladner on Saturday June 7! We will have a table at Southlands in the red barn, along with other exhibitors passionate about seniors care and aging with grace.

03/07/2025

Can you hear that?This is part of the nature walk I took with one of my clients at a park today. The sound of running water in a stream? So calming for the nervous system. To feel the sun on your face? So calming for the nervous system. For my client to watch their dogs running around and having tons of fun? So calming for the nervous system. To utilize co-regulation with my client because I am blessed with a regulated nervous system (that I work on everyday)? So calming for their nervous system. Walking in nature has compounding benefits - for physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellness. Occupational Therapy works.

01/07/2025

What a humbling way to start the New Year.

For many years, I’ve had the privilege of working with Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP, serving both current and retired members. My goal has always been to provide the best evidence-based recommendations—whether for home modifications, medical equipment, psycho-education, or mental health services.

I often reflect on my early career as an acute care OT. It was back then that I dreamed of one day working with Veterans. Even now, I still pinch myself with gratitude and honour for the opportunity to contribute to improving their lives.

Receiving a letter like the one I received recently is a first for me, and it’s something I will treasure and keep close to my heart.

I am excited for another year of providing exceptional occupational therapy services to all the clients of OT4Life. A special shout-out to OT Adam, OT Sonia, and RA Aidan for their dedication and hard work as part of the OT4Life team.

Also, kudos to Gavin Dhanoi and his team at HME, as well as Owen Barclay and his team at Accessable Home & Property Services, for their professionalism and excellent work in bringing this project to fruition for this Veteran.

PS: I have received consent from the Veteran and his spouse to share this letter.

07/03/2024

To all Canadians - please sign and share this petition to advocate for occupational therapy services to be added to all insurance plans!

Occupational therapy plays an important role in supporting Canadians to participate in meaningful and valued occupations and activities of daily living. Many people still do not have access to OT through their extended health benefits.

Help ensure that ALL Canadians have access to the OT services they need: Sign and share the Ask for OT petition on Change.org to show your support for the inclusion of occupational therapy services in extended health insurance plans.

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) will use the signatures from occupational therapy professionals and Canadians from coast to coast to coast to support advocacy efforts at a national level. Together we can take action to ensure occupational therapy is covered as part of health benefits.

Sign the petition now, and share it with your network to help build the momentum!

Occupational therapy plays an important role in supporting Canadians to participate in meaningful and valued occupations and activities of daily living. Many people still do not have access to OT through their extended health benefits.

Help ensure that ALL Canadians have access to the OT services they need: Sign and share the Ask for OT petition on Change.org to show your support for the inclusion of occupational therapy services in extended health insurance plans.

CAOT will use the signatures from occupational therapy professionals and Canadians from coast to coast to coast to support advocacy efforts at a national level. Together we can take action to ensure occupational therapy is covered as part of health benefits.

Sign the petition now, and share it with your network to help build the momentum!

https://www.change.org/p/advocating-for-occupational-therapy-coverage?recruiter=1342673652&recruited_by_id=8a1bdf50-3964-11ef-9d4b-c96c96fa2af9&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=petition_dashboard&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_37941725_en-CA%3Acv_1082449

Advocating for occupational therapy coverage!

05/29/2024

What do I love about being a mobile therapist?

Or in my case - being a hybrid therapist? I love that I get to meet with some of my clients in THEIR community. I love that I get to know my clients fully, on many occasions also getting to know their family. I love that I get to get out.

So much gratitude for having a business that offers me options. I see my clients in person either in their environment or my clinic, and I also get to “see” clients virtually.

Feeling very blessed 🙏🏽

02/24/2024

01/17/2024

Negativity occupies space in our minds and hearts. It can take away our time and energy.

What kinds of negativity are we talking about?

Negativity in our external environments, like negative people, toxic workplaces, unsupportive family.

Negativity in our internal environments, like negative thinking, resentment of others, jealousy, envy, beating ourselves up in our heads (a perfectionistic personality).

When we can learn to let go of negativity both externally and, perhaps even more important, internally, it increases our capacity for positivity. For self care, positive self talk, nurturing and supportive relationships, self reflection, self compassion.

11/25/2023

I love spending a beautiful Saturday morning educating childcare providers about emotions.

There is something so magical about the engagement that comes with sharing snippets of your life with others in a safe space. And the best part is when you can take the healthy coping mechanisms and adapt them to teach the children that are under your care.

Teaching about the broader concepts of self-reflection, non-judgement, co-regulation - alongside the more concrete strategies like meditation, deep breathing, mindfulness, grounding, time in nature, movement, gratitude - reminds me every time how much I love being an educator.

Thanks to for your faith and trust in me.

11/16/2023

I just spent the last hour presenting online to occupational therapists and rehab assistants at Bayshore Home Care. Thank you to Katie Schinkel for the opportunity.

What was the topic? “Sleep - our Elusive Superpower”. I loved sharing information about how poised OTs are through our various models and frames of references to address the occupation of sleep, as we are able to educate our clients on the extensive interplay between sleep and personal/environmental/psychological/spiritual factors.

Once the theory was behind us (boring assessment tools), we engaged in some fun to identify barriers to sleep and how they can be problem solved.

11/11/2023

11/11/2023

Words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards those who have sacrificed their lives so that we are able to live the lives we do. And by sacrifice, I’m not referring only to those who lost their lives. I work with Veterans everyday and they have sacrificed their bodies, their hearts, their minds and even their souls for us. Lest we forget.

10/31/2023

My first job as an O.T.

Langley Lodge was the place I began my OT career. How I loved working there and supporting the residents. And how I loved the people I worked with, who made every day a good day.

One of these people is Jodi. It has been decades since Jodi and I have seen each other. Her optimistic spirit still oozes out of her and being with her again has brought back an immeasurable treasure trove of cherished memories.

I came here selfishly I must admit. To pick up a dozen of Jodi’s home made gourmet croissants!! Can’t wait to dig into them tonight with my chai.