Self-Care Isn’t Simple: Why Every OT Needs a Framework for Feeding, Hygiene, Toileting and Dressing
Ask a new graduate occupational therapist what feels hardest in those first paediatric sessions, and self-care tasks come up again and again. Not because the tasks themselves are complicated — brushing teeth, getting dressed, using the toilet — but because so much sits underneath them. Sensory processing, motor planning, executive function, emotional regulation, even physiology. […]
Back to Basics: Supporting Emotional Regulation in Occupational Therapy
Let’s be honest—emotional regulation is one of the biggest topics in paediatric occupational therapy. There are entire textbooks dedicated to it, countless frameworks to explore and new research emerging all the time. It’s impossible to cover everything in one blog (or even one university subject!). But here’s something we’ve noticed over the years. Many new […]
When an OT Session Goes Off Track: What to Actually Do Next
We’ve all had a session that goes off-track… The child refuses to come inside. Your beautifully planned activity lasts 14 seconds. The child shuts down completely. A parent starts venting for 40 minutes. Your client becomes dysregulated, silly, avoidant, aggressive, or completely disengaged. And it doesn’t actually matter is your a new-career grad or me […]
Managing Imposter Syndrome as an Occupational Therapist
If you’re a new or early-career OT, I want to start by saying this: the feeling that you’re “not quite good enough yet” is far more common than you think. Imposter syndrome shows up quietly. It’s the hesitation before making a clinical decision. It’s the second-guessing after a session. It’s the comparison to more experienced […]
Why Home Practice Matters: What the Curve of Forgetting Teaches New OTs
As a new OT, it’s easy to feel like your impact happens inside the session. You plan engaging activities, build rapport, and introduce new skills – and that all matters. But one of the most important lessons you need to understand early in your career is this: Your sessions alone are not enough to create […]
Your role as an OT in building a Growth Mindset
As a new graduate OT (or, actually at any point in your career), it can feel like you’re holding a lot. You’re building clinical reasoning. You’re learning workplace systems. You are trying to support children and families with confidence — while still finding your own. When children feel safe, supported and understood, they’re more willing to explore, try new things and grow. The same […]
Above the Line vs Below the Line Thinking: A Framework for OTs
Occupational therapy is a profession that sits at the intersection of people, systems, emotions, and expectations. Whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced clinician, the way you think and respond in challenging moments can shape not only outcomes for clients, but also your confidence, relationships, and career longevity. I learned about this above the […]
How to End the Year Right as a First-Year or Early-Career OT Graduate
Your first year in Occupational Therapy is full of learning, stretching, guessing, growing, and—let’s be honest—quite a few “Am I even doing this right?” moments. As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to step back, breathe, and reflect on how far you’ve come. Ending the year well isn’t about ticking every […]
The Three Most Important Boundaries You Need to Set With Parents (Especially as a New OT)
As a new OT (or even as an established professional), setting boundaries with parents and clients can feel overwhelming and uncomfortable. However, setting boundaries isn’t about being rigid — it’s about protecting your time, your energy, and your capacity to provide safe, high-quality care. Here are three boundaries every OT should feel confident setting from […]
How to Become an Occupational Therapist in Australia
I created New PossibilOTs to support OT graduates or OTs returning to work. But what if you’re in a different field and interested in becoming on occupational therapist or are about to finish high school and would like a compressive guide on what you need to do to become an OT in Australia? Well this […]