What Is Occupational Therapy? A Guide for Clients
This one-page handout explains occupational therapy in plain language for clients and caregivers. It covers four things: what OT is, the four stages of care (evaluation, goal setting, treatment, and self-management), the benefits of working with an OT professional, and nine areas of daily life OT can support, from sleep and self-care to mental health and mealtimes.
Use it at a first visit, with a client who isn’t sure why they were referred, or any time you need a quick, consistent answer to “So what does OT actually do?”
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The handout works best early in care: in an intake packet, during the evaluation, or sent ahead of a first telehealth visit. Its “What Happens in OT?” section lays out the steps ahead. That gives clients a simple map of the process before you start setting goals together.
It also works outside the treatment room. It closes by pointing readers to “an occupational therapy professional in your area,” so it suits health fairs, community events, and primary care teams who want to explain what OT offers before they make a referral.
Instructions and Tips
Before you hand it over, circle the areas on the left side that match the client’s referral or concerns. That turns a general handout into one about them. The last item, “Activities That Matter to You,” invites clients to name their own priorities. It makes a natural lead-in to goal setting.
To introduce it, read the short “What Is OT?” box aloud. Then ask which of the “Benefits of OT” matters most to the client. The handout doesn’t include contact details, so write your clinic’s name and phone number near the bottom-left note if you’re giving it to someone you won’t see again soon.