Why did you choose occupational therapy as a career?
I had always envisioned working in mental health and substance use. Discovering OT at a career fair at the University of Toronto during my undergrad studies (I did a double major in Integrative Biology and Psychology), I was immediately blown away.
I thought, “Whoa – there’s this career that is all about overcoming obstacles (i.e. rehabilitation), with a balanced approach to wellness (including mental health), AND!!! with focus on the core elements of day to day life. How fascinating! #dreamjob
Where have you worked over your career? Where do you work now?
Oh boy, unbelievably, my OT career started in 2009!
I started in a return to work program in Nanaimo. Not feeling it was a fit for me, I then moved back to my home province and worked at Ontario Shores, in the Older Adult Mental Health Program. I realized then again that this area of practice wasn’t the perfect match, in terms of my skills and interests. I returned to BC to then work at the Burnaby Mental Health Inpatient Unit (IPU) for approximately 8 years (on and off!), which truly, looking back, was where my passion for OT, and rehabilitation and recovery, really was discovered. Invigorated and #mOTivated, I knew that that was where my own strengths as an OT were optimized, in the same way that we support individuals we serve to discover how to be their best selves. Did an OT create the hashtag #livingmybestlife?!?
I’ve also worked briefly in private practice in Durham Region, Ontario, and over the past 3 years, have been working in different leadership capacities, in temporary positions: first at the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health & Substance Use (Provincial Health Services Authority) as the OT Professional Practice Lead, then at Vancouver Coastal Health as the OT Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) Clinical Resource Therapist, and now again with Fraser Health as the Clinical Lead for OT MHSU.
On the side, I’ve worked with COTBC as a Continuing Competency Exam Sub-Committee Member from 2014-2016, and as a Small Group Tutorial Facilitator with UBC’s Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, starting in 2018.
What do you find most challenging about working as an occupational therapist?
The challenge in supporting the interprofessional team and leadership to truly appreciate the scope of OT practice, especially in MHSU services, continues!
I believe that outcome measures (e.g. COPM) can translate the value of OT (that we already know!) into universal information for others/stakeholders to really digest and understand, fully.
I believe that in OT MHSU practice especially, that us being mindful of how our assessment and intervention is connected to function is super important in keeping ourselves in check (in terms of scope), and being able to objectively reason (for clients, ourselves, our team, and the College) how what we’re doing is legit as OTs (e.g. use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a tool in supporting a client’s occupational goals, versus a stand-alone “therapy” session).
What do you think will change/shape practice over the next five years?
Now more than ever, I believe that virtual services will shape OT practice in the near future. Of course, in appreciating its limitations and how it may be the next best thing compared to how things were done in the past, on the flip side, it may open the door to opportunities, in serving clients in a different way, with broader breadth of outreach. Definitely lots to appreciate, including virtual “burnout” of staff and clients, effects on engagement and rapport-building, access to technology, and the effects of changes in daily routine (e.g. less structured use of time, accessing the outside environment less frequently, less physical movement and exercise, seeing others less, and overall effects on sense of self). We can all appreciate the effects that COVID-19 has had on our own mental health – I can only imagine its effects on those who live with mental illness and/or substance use challenges, especially on their hopes and dreams.
What has surprised you most about working as an occupational therapist?
I’d say that as a sole OT on several interprofessional teams, what has been surprising, in both positive and challenging ways, is the impact of the work that you do as a sole representative of the profession. At times, it’s a lot of pressure, especially if your advocacy for the client from an OT lens isn’t fully appreciated. But, in the instances that the team totally understands and values your involvement, and the work you’ve been doing with the client has been so positively impactful for them, it’s a pleasant surprise!
What is your favourite thing about CAOT-BC?
I love the accessibility and variety of educational opportunities available! I also love the chance to network with OTs out of my worksite bubble. Each OT definitely puts their own mark on the delivery of OT services, so that is always neat to appreciate, in meeting a variety of OTs from all over the province. CAOT-BC also offers leadership opportunities, such as chairing a practice network (like the Mental Health & Substance Use Practice Network, which I have had the pleasure of chairing for about a year)! Thank you CAOT-BC!
#OT365
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