OT Practitioner – OT 4 Lyfe

Minding Our OT Business with Laura Park Figueroa

Posted on August 20, 2019August 19, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Ever wanted to start your own OT business? Or do you have one and want to up your business game? If yes, this episode is for you. Laura Park Figueroa, MS, OTR/L joins the show to discuss all things OT and business. We discuss the mindset as an entrepreneur, she shares her mistakes and successes on the path to building and running a private practice, and she provides numerous helpful resources throughout the episode. This episode is a must listen for any OT entrepreneurs or aspiring OT entrepreneurs.

Show Notes

Sarah and Laura discuss:

Why we need more OTs starting their own practices and businesses
Why OTs do not embark on the entrepreneur journey
The importance of exposing students to business
Taking the chance and leaning into the discomfort of starting something new
Writing things down and setting intentions
The mindset of being an entrepreneur
Donald Miller- Building a Story Brand Podcast: http://buildingastorybrand.com/blog/
Surrounding yourself with supportive people
The OT Podcast community: http://www.otpodcasts.com/
The PT Entrepreneur Podcast: http://drdannymatta.com/the-p-t-entrepreneur-podcast/
The hardest part of starting a business
Her biggest mistake
Business finances
Importance of building systems and being efficient
Working on your business versus in your business
Resources for business owners/ systems
NOLO Press Book: https://store.nolo.com/products/
Profit First book
You Need a Budget: https://www.youneedabudget.com/
Michael Port:
Beyond Booked Solid
Book Yourself Solid
Checklist Manifesto: https://www.amazon.com/Checklist-Manifesto-How-Things-Right-ebook/dp/B0030V0PEW
Nature-based retreat- Therapy in the Great Outdoors: https://www.outdoorkidsot.com/training
CONTIGO- Connection and Transformation in the Great Outdoors: https://www.outdoorkidsot.com/contigo-approach
Mind Your OT Business Podcast: https://www.mindyourotbusiness.com/

Email: laura@outdoorkidsot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/outdoorkidsot

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraparkfig

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindyourotbusiness

Website: http://www.mindyourotbusiness.com

Podcast: https://www.mindyourotbusiness.com/podcast

Transitions and Reflections of a Millennial OT with Grant Mitchell

Posted on August 5, 2019August 4, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Occupations and views change and transition over time. In this episode, Grant Mitchell MOT, OTR/L shares his journey through his current occupational transitions: from new grad to full time practitioner, from working in mental health to working in inpatient rehabilitation, from living in Minnesota to living in Florida, and from being single to married with a child and how these changes have impacted his occupations and his view of occupational therapy. Grant reflects on how his lens of occupational therapy has shifted over the years and the influence that it has had on his personal and professional story.

Show Notes

Sarah and Grant discuss:

Occupational transitions
Difficulties finding a job as a new graduate
Why he became an OT and how it has impacted his life since
How he got his start in inpatient rehab and mental health
MH4OT on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MH4OT/
AOTA’s Mental Health Special Interest Section: https://www.aota.org/Practice/Manage/SIS/Mental-Health.aspx
Getting connected with Mental Health in Minnesota
His changing mindset with the mental health crisis in the United States
Transitioning into the history of occupational therapy
His background in programming for student housing
Using videos to capture OT history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z82KPntY3GA
The paradox of distraction and diversion therapy
Occupational therapy practice framework: https://www.aota.org/Publications-News/AmericanJournalOfOccupationalTherapy/access-framework-domain-otpf-download.aspx
Occupational transitions and disruptions
Instilling self-awareness in our clients to facilitate the therapeutic process
Hygge: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Hygge-Danish-Secrets/dp/0062658808
Meik Wiking Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbtzY-8IFTQ

Millennial OT: http://millennialot.com/

Email: MillennialOT@gmail.com

Twitter: Twitter.com/millennialOT

Instagram: Instagram.com/millennialOT

Facebook: Facebook.com/MillennialOT

Youtube: Youtube.com/MillennialOT

Creating Confidence and an Occupation-Based Mindset with Alexis Joelle

Posted on July 15, 2019July 14, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Occupational therapy is such a diverse field and one of my favorite parts of doing interviews is learning about all the different practice areas within our profession. Today’s episode with Alexis Joelle, MS, OTR/L dives into occupational therapy in acute care, detailing what it looks like, as well as highlighting the benefits and challenges associated with this practice area.

We cover the hot topic of occupation-based practice and how Alexis maintains the use of occupations despite being in a clinical setting. She also shares how her experiences in travel therapy led her to starting a mentorship program to support and educate OT practitioners. Alexis is all about instilling confidence for all clinicians and promoting the distinct value of occupational therapy.

Show Notes

Sarah and Alexis discuss:

OT settings within the hospital
What is acute care?
Planned and unplanned hospital stays
Supporting clients in the beginning of their journey
Typical length of stay in acute care setting
Importance of education within the initial session/ evaluation
Similarities of Acute Care and Early Intervention practice areas
Getting experience in other practice areas to guide our current practice area
Episode with Dr. Michael Roberts- How Deep is Your Love for OT? https://ot4lyfe.com/23/
Differences in working with planned and unplanned hospital stay clients
Challenges working in acute care setting
Ableism
Occupation-centered practice within the hospital setting
Advice for people that are in a system where occupation-based practice is not at the forefront
Being a mentor and life long learner
Her consulting company: creatingconfidenceinOTs.club
AcuteCare4OT on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173309566418639/

Email: info@alexisjoelle.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/8alexisjoelle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/8alexisjoelle/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/8alexisjoelle

Website: https://www.alexisjoelle.com/

Battling The Burnout with Erika del Pozo

Posted on July 8, 2019July 14, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Working in healthcare can be a very rewarding career, but it also presents some unique challenges. Nowadays, productivity levels have increased exponentially, caseloads have become unruly, expectations have continued to grow without any sign of slowing down, while we as therapists are left to pick up the pieces, keep up with the changes, and do the best work that we can. Unfortunately, the increasing demands within the workplace have had significant implications on us as therapists, ultimately leading many therapists to become burnt out.

Erika del Pozo MOT, OTR/L from Joy Energy Time and the Burnt Out to Lit Up podcast comes on the show today to share her personal journey with burnout and how this has ignited a passion for promoting education and awareness about the topic as it relates to healthcare professionals.

Show Notes

Sarah and Erika discuss:

Meeting at AOTA 2019 and what they took away from the conference
Anxiety and stress of being in OT school
Factors of burnout
How the symptoms of burnout can become the new norm and go unnoticed
The importance of having your values line up with you work’s values
How the lack of autonomy can lead to burnout
Bullying and burnout
Her personal experience with burnout
Gastrointestinal issues linked to burnout
Importance of self-care with a focus on both internal and external recovery
Unplugging and taking time to enjoy life
Being mindful instead of mindless
Self-management and not just time management
Prioritizing time
First thing she did when realizing that she was burnt out
Gratitude journal
How she combats burnout in her daily life
Advice for therapists facing burnout
Utilizing resources, professionals, and a support system to help you
Employee Engagement Survey: https://joyenergytime.mykajabi.com/employeeengagement
Affirmation Cards
Joy Energy Time: https://www.joyenergytime.com/
Burnt Out to Lit Up Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burnt-out-to-lit-up-healthcare-stress-burnout-wellness/id1332553896
Healthcare Hangouts: https://www.joyenergytime.com/healthcarehangouts/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.energy.time/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyenergytime/

Inclusion, Education, and All the Colors of the Rainbow with Devlynn Neu

Posted on May 27, 2019May 26, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Part of being an occupational therapist is advocating for ourselves, our clients, and our profession. We aim to be client-centered in our therapy and strive to be inclusive for people regardless of race, identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Statistics have shown that members of the LBGT+ community face challenges accessing and receiving appropriate healthcare.

Devlynn Neu, MS, OTR/L comes on the show today to discuss important facts, education, and considerations for therapists and clients within the LBGT+ community. He shares his experiences working as an openly gay man within the field of occupational therapy, including both the positive and challenges that he has faced throughout his experience as an OT. Devlynn embodies inclusion and advocacy in all that he does and constantly stands up for his clients, his profession, and this community as a whole.

Devlynn is also the creator of The Rainbow OT, a blog which serves to promote inclusion, foster representation, provide education, and encourage unity within healthcare for members of the LBGT+ community.

Show Notes

Sarah and Devlynn discuss:

AOTA’s Vision 2025: “As an inclusive profession, OT maximizes health, well-being and quality of life for all people, populations, and communities, through effective solutions that facilitate participation in everyday living.
Role of incorporating inclusion into the vision
Respect for identity and use pronouns
Overview and definition of the letters of LGBT+
Importance of identify, pronouns, and personal aspects
Incorporating identity into our client’s occupational profiles
Important statistics involving the LGBT+ community and healthcare
Positives and challenges he has faced as a gay therapist and working in healthcare
Advice for therapists experiencing difficulty with their identity within their clinical role
Devlvynn’s discussion with Taelormade OT on OTea Time:
- https://www.facebook.com/TaelorMadeOT/videos/648430935609510/
- @taelormadeot on Instagram
Devlynn’s posts on Shannen Marie OT’s ABCs of OT:
- https://shannenmarieot.com/
- @shannenmarieot on Instagram
ADL specific tasks for the LGBT+ community
Importance of access to appropriate public restrooms
Resources for therapists
- National Alliance for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org
- The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org
- LGBT Health Edcuation: https://www.lgbthealtheducation.org
- Gay and Lesbian Medical Association’s Provider Directory: http://www.glma.org/
- Person Centered Care: https://www.healio.com/nursing/journals/jgn/2018-2-44-2/%7B4f46d2c3-4daf-4f4f-8950-70ea1093f985%7D/person-centered-care-for-lgbt-older-adults
- LGBTQ+ & OT: https://www.lgbtq-ot.com/
- Healthcare Disparities: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5478215/
- LGBTQ CCD: https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/index.htm
- LGBTQ Task Force: https://www.thetaskforce.org/

Email: devlynnneu@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therainbowot

Website: https://www.therainbowot.com

Uncorking Topics in Occupational Therapy with Miranda Rennie

Posted on May 20, 2019May 19, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Being a lifelong learner is something that is constantly brought up within the profession of occupational therapy. From being a student in OT school, to becoming a new practitioner, to doing research to further the knowledge base for our profession, we are constantly learning new ideas, picking up new skills, and gaining a deeper understanding of how occupations influence health for us as practitioners and for our clients.

Miranda Rennie, OTR/L, joins me today to share her journey into the field of occupational therapy, her current work in an outpatient neuro setting and in teaching, as well as her passion for research and evidence-based practice. Miranda constantly strives to challenge herself to be the best therapist that she can be and once listening to the episode you will realize that she is one of the most driven people that you will ever meet. She is dedicated to research and learning in order to advance our profession and add to the knowledge base.

Miranda and I instantly connected because she too is an OT podcaster and host of OT Uncorked. Her show is all about sharing a glass of wine while uncorking hot topics in occupational therapy. To hear more from her, definitely check out her podcast and resource blog: http://otuncorked.com/

Show Notes

Sarah and Miranda discuss:

Her current OT role working in outpatient neuro and also teaching at a local university
How she first heard about occupational therapy
Transitioning from student to new practitioner
Tips for incorporating evidence into practice
Advocating for evidenced-based practice
Collaborating with others using evidence to advance the profession
A fun fact about Parkinson’s medication interactions
Starting a PhD program
Research as a practice area
Surrounding yourself with people that support and challenge you to pursue your dreams
OT Uncorked
OT Potential
The Rainbow OT

Twtiter: https://twitter.com/OTuncorked

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otuncorked/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OTuncorked/

Website: https://www.OTuncorked.com

Podcast Link: https://feeds.transistor.fm/ot-uncorked