I qualified as an OT in 2003. I knew I wanted to be an OT from the age of 13, and I was not going to let my stigmatised teenage single mum status stop me from living the dream! I threw myself into my employment within the NHS and involved myself in the wider professional arena by signing up for regional BAOT committee posts and submitting abstracts for presenting at COT conferences at an early stage. Networking with people I…
I have had a fairly non-traditional career trajectory over the last 30 years working in the NHS, a user led voluntary organisation, academia and now independent practice. I love working across boundaries and am energised by personal growth and development. I undertook my PhD while working full time and understand the challenges of combining work, study and family life. I am a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and focus my practice on supporting women in their personal development. I offer coaching…
I have about 30 years of experience working as an occupational therapist and / or manager and in 2006 I completed my post graduate Diploma in Performance Coaching. Subsequently I have worked as a coach with people from a range of occupations and organisations. I believe that people have the resources within themselves to create successful and lasting solutions. At certain points in their lives people can benefit from working with a coach who supports, challenges and enables them to…
With over 35 years’ experience as an occupational therapist, Linda has been a clinician, operational manager, occupational therapy lead and director for AHPs. She has developed, supported, led and managed teams of allied health professionals, nurses and acute hospital staff as well as teams in strategy and development, communications and marketing, patient and public experience, human resources and staff and partner engagement. Within the NHS she developed and implemented an in-house charity to provide social return to local community groups…
This short musing was inspired by Bob Garvey who wrote a paper on the “Cowboys of Coaching” a few years back and it prompted me to consider what might mean in relation to OT. Having spent the last 10 years working, not only independently, but also in a “new” area of practice and one that is not regulated (coaching), I often wonder if I might be considered a bit of a Cowboy…. Whilst I maintain my HCPC registration (worked hard…
Why becoming your own OT could be the best thing you ever do for yourself (and if you can’t do this alone, perhaps work with an OT who can help you – yes I do mean hire an OT for yourself – you don’t need to have an illness or disability to benefit from the OT approach.) Go on, grab an assessment from work and do it on yourself! It might be MOHO or perhaps PEO or COPM…or draw…
I made this video yesterday and immediately doubted whether I should post it or not, but these are issues I feel very strongly about. Whilst we are a profession with our roots in healthcare and the medical model and a profession which values independence and personal choice, we and our clients operate in a much wider world. This world is interconnected, global, interdependent and our occupational choices impact way beyond our immediate world. Enjoy and if you hate it, feel…
