Occupational Therapy

Helping clients achieve greater independence and satisfaction in their daily lives through a holistic approach that addresses physical, mental, and environmental factors.

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Committed to your health and wellness.

Our Occupational Therapist can play a vital role in helping clients improve their health and well-being by providing health counselling and support.

Areas of focus include:

  • Depression and low mood
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Stress management
  • Emotion regulation
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Communication
  • Pain management
  • Ergonomics assessments
  • Functional/Home assessment and equipment provision

Explore our Services

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Mental Health Assessment

An initial assessment with our Occupational Therapist would involve identifying client-specific functional deficits and identifying targeted goals to address symptoms and improve functioning. Our OT will assist clients with reaching their goals in order to engage in their activities of daily living, home and community management and/or vocational tasks. Additionally, our Occupational Therapist works collaboratively with our multi-disciplinary team and can assist in identifying any additional referrals that may be necessary to address health concerns. 

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Mental Health Counselling

A client-centred approach is used in order to develop a therapeutic relationship with each of our clients. Treatment may include identifying lifestyle changes and routine building as well as teaching research-based coping skills strategies (utilizing Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy approaches and/or Motivational Interviewing). 

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Ergonomics Assessment

During the assessment, our Occupational Therapist will identify any ergonomic risk factors that may be present in the workplace, such as poor posture, repetitive motions, awkward movements, or poorly designed workstations or tools. She will then work with the person to develop a customized plan to address these risk factors and improve the overall ergonomics of the work environment.

By identifying and addressing ergonomic risk factors, our OT can help improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and enhance the overall quality of life of the person in the workplace.

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Behavioural Activation Programs

Physical activity has consistently been shown to be associated with improved physical health, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being. Studies have shown that as an adjunctive treatment, exercise can be an effective and cost-efficient alternative or adjunct treatment for a variety of depression and anxiety-related disorders.

Our physiotherapists and certified exercise physiologists work directly with insurance companies to help employees who are dealing with mental health struggles optimize function, mood and independence, with the goal of helping them re-enter the workplace.

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Functional/Home assessment and equipment provision

A functional assessment from our Occupational Therapist is a service that aims to help individuals with disabilities or health conditions achieve greater independence and improve their ability to carry out daily activities.

Equipment provision is an important component of this service, as it involves identifying and providing the person with the equipment they need to carry out their daily activities more independently. This may include items such as mobility aids, adaptive equipment for self-care and household/workplace tasks, or technology to assist with communication or access to information.

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Weight Management Support

In a weight management program offered by an occupational therapist, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are integrated to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing weight-related challenges.

CBT in the context of a weight management program focuses on helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to food, exercise, body image, and self-esteem. The occupational therapist works with the clients to set realistic and achievable weight loss goals, and they collaboratively develop coping strategies to manage emotional eating, stress, and other triggers that may hinder progress.

DBT is also utilized in the program to address emotional regulation and interpersonal skills. Clients may face emotional challenges throughout their weight loss journey, and DBT techniques can help them cope with intense emotions, avoid impulsive behaviors, and enhance relationships, providing a strong foundation for sustainable weight management.

By combining CBT and DBT, the occupational therapist supports clients in not only achieving weight loss but also in cultivating a healthier relationship with their bodies, food, and emotions. The program’s focus on meaningful activities and daily life tasks empowers individuals to adopt a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle, leading to impactful and sustainable weight management results.

Our Occupational Therapist

Katie Young

Occupational Therapist

Katie Young

Occupational Therapist
Katie graduated with a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Manitoba in 2013. She has a passion for community practice and has worked in various areas including addictions and mental health, crisis counselling, school therapy services, primary care, and private practice. Clinically, Katie has worked with a diverse population. Her primary area of interest is chronic disease management, specifically the management of chronic pain with concurrent mental health and/or substance use conditions. Katie values interdisciplinary patient-centred care. As an occupational therapist, she has a unique focus on a client’s day to day function. She works to optimize function by creating treatment plans that reflect the goals, abilities, and interests of each individual client. Katie strives for excellence in the quality of her practice and is committed to ongoing professional development in her field. She has completed a variety of courses and certifications to continue her professional development. She is currently expanding her knowledge around Somatic Experiencing to be able to include more body-awareness approaches in her work. In addition to her clinical work, Katie works as a sessional instructor within the University of Manitoba's College of Rehabilitation Sciences Occupational Therapy Program. She is also passionate about contributing to the field of pain research. She has presented prior work at various conferences, including the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Virtual Conference, Family Medicine Forum, and the North American Primary Care Research Group conference. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, two children, and friends. She enjoys cooking, being active and playing sports, travelling, listening to music, and learning new hobbies! Katie is a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), the College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba (COTM), and the Manitoba Society of Occupational Therapists (MSOT).

Education

Master of Occupational Therapy degree

As we believe strongly in progressive education, our therapists continually strive to use current trends and research principles in clinic.