How Can Occupational Therapy Support and Improve Mental Health?

Assessment session

Mental health is a crucial part of our overall wellbeing, yet it’s often the most overlooked. At Shoalhaven Occupational Therapy and Shellharbour Occupational Therapy, we believe mental health care should be proactive, person-centred, and deeply connected to everyday life. That’s why our mental health occupational therapists, Bronwyn and Klara, are here to support individuals of all ages in building meaningful routines, managing emotions, and developing the skills they need to thrive.

What Do Mental Health Occupational Therapists Do?

Mental health occupational therapists (OTs) are uniquely trained to support people experiencing mental illness, emotional distress, or life transitions. They focus on how mental health impacts a person's ability to participate in everyday tasks—like getting out of bed, managing a household, going to school or work, and maintaining relationships.

Rather than just focusing on symptoms, mental health OTs look at the whole person, their environment, and their goals. They help build practical skills and strategies to increase independence, confidence, and a sense of control in daily life.

Meet Our Mental Health OTs: Bronwyn & Klara

Bronwyn

Bronwyn is our clinical team leader/occupational therapist with extensive experience supporting adults and teens in both community and clinical settings. She brings a calm, client-led approach to therapy, and has a strong background in trauma-informed care, emotional regulation strategies, and case coordination for complex needs.

Bronwyn is passionate about helping people reconnect with meaningful roles and routines—even after periods of illness, grief, or burnout.

Klara

Klara is our senior occupational therapist and a mental health OT. She blends creative, evidence-based approaches with strong rapport-building to help clients feel safe and empowered. Klara is skilled in working with anxiety, depression, school avoidance, emotional regulation, and sensory challenges.

Klara’s strength lies in helping young people and their families build routines that feel achievable and life-giving.

Who Can Benefit from Mental Health OT?

Mental health OT can support children, teens, and adults with:

• Anxiety and low mood

• Depression or burnout

• Trauma history

• Emotional regulation difficulties

• Sensory processing challenges

• Executive functioning challenges (e.g., planning, organisation)

• School or work stress

• Social withdrawal or low motivation

• Identity and life transitions

  
  

What Does a Mental Health OT Session Look Like?

Every session is personalised to the client’s goals. Sessions might include:

• Exploring daily routines and identifying barriers

• Teaching coping strategies and grounding techniques

• Working on time management or energy conservation

• Developing sensory regulation plans

• Supporting return to school, work, or community activities

• Creating safe spaces for reflection, planning, and goal-setting

• Coaching for carers or parents

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

Practical Tips from Bronwyn and Klara

Here are some of their top everyday tips for supporting mental health:

1. Start Small

Even one meaningful activity per day—like making a cup of tea, watering a plant, or journaling—can create momentum.

2. Use a Sensory Reset

Keep a list of go-to sensory tools like fidget items, calming scents, noise-cancelling headphones, or heavy blankets. Use them to reset when you feel overwhelmed.

3. Map Out Your Day

Visual routines or planners can reduce decision fatigue and help structure time. For teens and adults, use a calendar app or whiteboard planner. For younger kids, try picture schedules.

4. Practice Self-Compassion

Not every day will go to plan—and that’s okay. Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to a close friend. Progress, not perfection.

5. Anchor Your Day

Choose one or two anchor activities—like a walk in the morning or a cup of tea at night—that help regulate your nervous system and provide a sense of rhythm.

Helpful Resources

If you or someone you know is navigating mental health challenges, these resources can complement therapy:

• Smiling Mind App – Guided mindfulness and meditation for adults and children

• Beyond Blue – Support and information for anxiety, depression, and crisis care (www.beyondblue.org.au)

• The Brave Program – Online CBT for children and teens with anxiety (www.brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au)

• Headspace – Support for young people 12-25 (www.headspace.org.au)

• The Resilience Project Journal – Tools for gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness

  
  

How to Get Started

Whether you’re a parent looking to support your child’s emotional development, a young adult navigating big transitions, or someone rebuilding after burnout or trauma—mental health occupational therapy can help.

You can connect with Bronwyn or Klara through a referral or by contacting our friendly team directly. Appointments are available in clinic, via telehealth, or in community settings depending on your needs.

📞 Call us at (02)44216013 📧 Email admin@shoalhavenot.au🌐 Visit us at Make a Referral

Let’s Talk Mental Health—With Care, Compassion, and Practical Support

Mental health support should be empowering, not overwhelming. At Shoalhaven Occupational Therapy, our mental health OTs walk alongside clients, offering tools, structure, and a safe space to heal, grow, and thrive.

Reach out to Bronwyn or Klara today—because you deserve support that sees the whole you.