The basics slide
Showering, eating or leaving the house take so much effort that they get pushed to later.
Telehealth · Adults
OT for daily routines when mental health makes them hard
When depression, anxiety or low motivation makes everyday tasks hard, occupational therapy can work on the routines that structure a day. Delivered by video, alongside any care you have.
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- Function-focused OT, not therapy or counselling
- Works alongside your existing mental health care
- Small, practical steps built into your day
You can call for yourself, or as a family member, support worker or support coordinator.
When the day shrinks
An OT looks at the activities and routines that mental health has made difficult, then starts small.
The list grows
Things that used to be routine now sit undone, and the backlog makes starting harder.
Good days and bad days
You manage on a good day, but there is no plan for the days when there is nothing in reserve.
Daily routines OT with Joanne.
Joanne works with adults on everyday function: the activities, routines and habits that mental health has made difficult. This is occupational therapy, not counselling.
Joanne
Occupational Therapist
More about Joanne
Joanne provides trauma-informed and neuro-affirming OT by telehealth when the goals and activities suit online delivery.
What an online session actually looks like
A first session often starts with one activity that matters and is currently hard. It can be made achievable on a low day rather than a perfect day, then you agree one step to try.
What you need
A phone, tablet or computer with a camera, a stable internet connection, and somewhere private where you can talk without being overheard.
How the session runs
You work through the problem on screen together, using your own home, desk or routine as the example.
Who can join
A partner, family member, support worker or support coordinator can join if it helps, especially for the first session.
You set the pace, and nothing has to be discussed that you do not want to discuss.
How an OT works on daily function
Start with the smallest real task
Pick one activity that matters and make it achievable on a hard day, not a perfect one.
Build routines around energy
Work with how your energy actually moves, instead of assuming it will be steady.
Protect what matters most
Keep the activities that support you and reduce the ones that only add load.
This is practical support for daily life, not a substitute for clinical mental health care.
What online OT can cover
These are the areas most often worked on by video. If something needs a service outside occupational therapy, the team says so.
- Daily routines around sleep, meals, hygiene and rest
- Getting out of the house, appointments and errands
- Work, study and volunteer routines
- Planning for low-energy days
- Agreeing small steps to review between sessions
How it works
- Call or request a callback. The team checks whether online OT fits your situation, funding and timing.
- First session. You and Joanne look at one activity that matters and agree one step to try.
- Review and adjust. You keep what helps, drop what does not, and decide together whether to continue.
Who this suits
Functional occupational therapy for adults whose mental health is affecting daily life. It sits alongside, not instead of, clinical mental health care.
- Adults whose daily routines and self-care have become difficult
- People already seeing a GP, psychologist or psychiatrist, or on a waiting list
- People who want practical steps rather than more talk alone
- Anyone with a support coordinator, plan manager or family member helping
When this service is not the right fit
This is clinical occupational therapy focused on daily function. It is not counselling, psychology or crisis care.
- Crisis or emergency support
- Counselling, psychology or psychiatric care
- Medication review or advice
- Diagnosis of a mental health condition
This is not a crisis or emergency service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
What to have ready when you call
Keep it simple. The call is a routing conversation, not an assessment.
- Which daily activities have become hardest
- What funding you have, so the team can check what applies
- Whether you are already linked with another service
Mental health daily routines OT questions
No. This is occupational therapy focused on daily function. It does not replace psychology, psychiatry or crisis care.
This is not a crisis or emergency service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Not to ask. Tell the team what funding you have and they check what applies before anything is booked.
No. Diagnosis is not part of this service. The work is on the daily impact.
The team confirms fit and funding first. Early sessions often start with one real part of your week, and what you work on is agreed with you rather than set in advance.
Often, when the goals are routines, everyday tasks and strategy work that does not need to be observed in person. The team confirms whether online delivery fits before anything is booked.
If the work needs to be observed in person, the team says so and talks through what else may fit.
Funding options depend on the person and the service. Tell the team what funding you have and they check what applies, then explain any fees before anything is booked.
Ask about daily routines OT
Tell the team which daily activities have become hardest and how you are funded. They check fit, fees and timing, then explain the next step.
Telehealth mental health routines OT
Online occupational therapy for daily routines and self-care when mental health makes them hard. The team confirms suitability before anything is booked.
Request a callback
Can we grab your name and email?