By: Kathy Hubbard
What? Occupational therapy for mental health issues? Yes. Although you probably think of occupational therapy as rehabilitation after an injury or surgery, occupational therapy can also help individuals cope with the challenges of everyday life. So it is with exceptional enthusiasm that I tell you that Bonner General Health is now offering mental health occupational therapy services for adolescents and adults.
“We provide practical, individualized support for people who are struggling with daily routines, stress, organization, emotional regulation, or life transitions,” Meghan Tweit, Occupational Therapist at BGH told me.
“Mental health can impact every aspect of our daily lives. Our goal is to help people develop the skills and strategies they need to successfully manage everyday activities, whether that’s returning to work or school, establishing healthy routines, managing anxiety, or living more independently.”
She said that mental health occupational therapy may benefit individuals experiencing ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, chronic pain, trauma-related conditions, or major life changes. Treatment focuses on executive function.
Executive function refers to skills you use to manage everyday tasks. These practical skills include time management, organization, stress management, healthy routines, independent living skills, and improving participation in meaningful daily activities.
Tweit said, “The intent is that rather than simply treating symptoms, an occupational therapist will work with patients to identify barriers that interfere with daily life and develop personalized strategies that promote overall well-being,”
Michell Tucker, Director of Rehabilitation Services, was quick to remind me that occupational therapy is not intended to replace psychiatric or psychological care. She said, “It complements it. Ideally, patients receive appropriate medical and/or mental health treatment while OT focuses on helping them function successfully in everyday life. We help bridge the gap between symptom management and actually applying skills in daily routines, work, school, and relationships.”
I asked Tucker to give us some examples of treatments. She said that for someone with ADHD, OT might include creating routines that make mornings, homework, or workdays more successful; learning how to break overwhelming tasks into manageable steps; learning time management strategies utilizing resources such as calendars, reminders, timers, and visual schedules.
They may develop the skills to reduce distractions and create an environment that supports focus; learn emotional regulation techniques when feeling overwhelmed; and practice mindfulness utilizing breathing exercises or grounding techniques when appropriate.
Someone with anxiety might learn to identify triggers and early warning signs while practicing breathing and relaxation strategies and to use grounding techniques during periods of heightened anxiety. They’ll be instructed on how to establish healthy sleep and self-care routines, and how to conserve energy with stress management techniques. The OT may employ a gradual exposure strategy to meaningful activities that the patient has been avoiding.
With a goal of improving symptoms for autistic or neurodivergent individuals the program would involve learning sensory regulation strategies, understanding body signals and self-regulation, and managing transitions and unexpected changes. Besides executive functioning, they will develop daily routines, and develop independent living skills such as meal preparation, budgeting, or medication management. OT can be instrumental in learning social participation strategies and community engagement.
“The number of visits this therapy requires depends entirely on the individual’s goals and complexity,” Tucker explained. “Most patients are seen one to two times per week initially, with treatment plans commonly ranging from six to twelve weeks. Some individuals may benefit from a shorter course, while others with more complex needs may continue longer.”
She said that occupational therapy is “very active and collaborative. Patients practice strategies during sessions and apply them between visits. Success depends on incorporating these skills into everyday life rather than simply talking about problems during appointments.”
Tucker also said that outcomes, such as returning to work, succeeding in school, maintaining employment and increasing independence are some of the meaningful goals a patient may expect from OT.
Occupational therapy requires a referral from a licensed healthcare provider. It can come from your primary care provider or a specialist. If you think occupational therapy may help you or a family member, talk to your healthcare provider about whether a referral is appropriate.
Tweit summed it up when she said, “Everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in the activities that give their life meaning. Occupational therapy helps people build the tools to make that possible.”
Kathy Hubbard was a charter member of Bonner General Health Foundation. She can be reached at [email protected]. This article was written for publication in the Bonner County Daily Bee on July 22, 2026.