Occupational Therapy (OT) is a regulated healthcare profession focused on enabling people to participate in the activities — or “occupations” — that give their lives structure, meaning and purpose. These occupations include everyday tasks such as self-care, work, study, parenting, leisure, and social participation.
At Bloomfield Health, Occupational Therapy forms an important part of our multidisciplinary, holistic approach to private psychiatry and neurorehabilitation. We are pleased to introduce Charlotte Mommsen, Principal Specialist Occupational Therapist, whose expertise spans neurology, mental health, and vocational rehabilitation.
A Brief History of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy emerged in the early 20th century from the recognition that meaningful activity supports both physical and psychological recovery. During and after the World Wars, structured activity and rehabilitation programmes were used to support injured soldiers to regain function and reintegrate into civilian life.
The profession developed alongside advances in psychiatry, neurology and rehabilitation medicine. Today, OT is an evidence-based discipline regulated in the UK by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and guided by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
Modern Occupational Therapy integrates neuroscience, psychology, movement science, and social models of disability. It is widely recommended in NICE guidelines across mental health, stroke rehabilitation, brain injury, and long-term neurological conditions as part of comprehensive, person-centred care.
Why Is Occupational Therapy Helpful in Mental Health?
Mental health difficulties often affect much more than mood. They can impact:
· Motivation and structure
· Sleep and daily routine
· Concentration and memory
· Confidence and identity
· Work performance
· Relationships and social engagement
Occupational Therapy addresses the practical and psychological effects of mental illness on day-to-day functioning.
1. Supporting People Who Are Not Working
For individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, burnout, trauma, or severe mental illness, work may feel overwhelming or impossible. Long periods away from employment can affect self-esteem and identity.
OT can help by:
· Establishing daily structure and routine
· Rebuilding stamina and cognitive capacity
· Gradually increasing activity levels
· Addressing avoidance behaviours
· Supporting meaningful non-work roles during recovery
This structured rehabilitation aligns with NICE guidance on depression and severe mental illness, which highlights the importance of functional recovery, not just symptom reduction.
2. Supporting Return to Work
Returning to work after mental illness, neurological injury, or trauma can be complex.
Occupational Therapists provide:
· Comprehensive vocational assessments
· Cognitive and ergonomic workplace assessments
· Graduated return-to-work plans
· Liaison with HR, insurers, and line managers
· Advice on reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010
Research shows that structured vocational rehabilitation improves sustained return-to-work outcomes following brain injury and common mental health disorders (e.g., RCPsych and NICE guidance on rehabilitation and workplace mental health).
At Bloomfield Health, we recognise the importance of safe, realistic and collaborative return-to-work planning, particularly in high-demand corporate environments.
3. Mental Health Rehabilitation
For individuals with severe or complex mental health conditions — such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, complex PTSD, personality disorders, or dual diagnosis — OT plays a central role in rehabilitation.
Interventions may focus on:
· Building independent living skills
· Emotional regulation through structured activity
· Community reintegration
· Managing fatigue and sleep
· Improving executive functioning
This approach complements psychiatric treatment, psychotherapy, and medication management.
4. Brain Injury and Neurological Conditions
Occupational Therapy is essential in stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), long-term neurological conditions, and polytrauma.
Neurological difficulties may affect:
· Cognition (memory, attention, planning)
· Behaviour and emotional regulation
· Physical movement and coordination
· Visual and perceptual processing
· Fatigue and sleep
NICE guidelines for stroke and head injury rehabilitation emphasise coordinated, multidisciplinary input including Occupational Therapy.
5. Neurodiversity and Dual Diagnosis
Many individuals with ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, or other neurodevelopmental profiles experience challenges in executive functioning, sensory processing, or workplace demands.
OT can support:
· Environmental adaptations
· Executive function strategies
· Sensory regulation approaches
· Fatigue management
· Identity-affirming, strengths-based planning
Where neurodiversity coexists with anxiety, depression, substance misuse, or neurological injury, an integrated approach is particularly important.
What Does an Occupational Therapy Assessment Involve?
An OT assessment is comprehensive, collaborative and person-centred. It may include:
· A detailed occupational history
· Exploration of daily routines and roles
· Cognitive screening or structured assessment
· Functional assessment of activities of daily living (ADLs)
· Fatigue and sleep evaluation
· Workplace or vocational assessment (if relevant)
· Environmental assessment (home or workplace)
The goal is not simply to identify deficits, but to understand strengths, values, priorities, and barriers to participation.
At Bloomfield Health, assessments are tailored to each individual and often form part of a broader psychiatric or medicolegal evaluation when appropriate.
What Does Occupational Therapy Intervention Involve?
OT intervention is practical, structured and outcome-focused. Depending on needs, it may include:
Functional Rehabilitation
· ADL retraining
· Cognitive rehabilitation
· Executive functioning strategies
· Behavioural activation
Fatigue and Sleep Management
· Energy conservation techniques
· Activity pacing
· Sleep hygiene strategies
Movement and Physical Rehabilitation
· Tone management
· Splinting
· Movement science approaches
· Motor retraining
Environmental Adaptation
· Home adaptations
· Equipment provision
· Ergonomic adjustments
Psychological Integration
· Supporting emotional adjustment to injury or diagnosis
· Addressing anxiety and avoidance in functional tasks
· Working alongside psychiatric care
OT focuses on rebuilding identity through meaningful occupation — not simply symptom management.
What Is Occupational Therapy Case Management?
OT case management provides coordination and continuity of care, particularly in complex cases involving:
· Brain injury or polytrauma
· Co-existing psychiatric and neurological conditions
· Capacity or safeguarding concerns
· Insurance or medicolegal processes
Case management may involve:
· Coordinating multidisciplinary input
· Liaising with insurers and legal teams
· Monitoring rehabilitation progress
· Supporting discharge planning
· Ensuring realistic goal setting
This structured oversight reduces fragmentation and improves rehabilitation outcomes.
Introducing Charlotte Mommsen
Principal Specialist Occupational Therapist
Charlotte Mommsen brings extensive experience across NHS, private, and community settings. She trained at Brunel University and has worked as a Clinical Specialist Neuro Occupational Therapist within Stroke and Neurosciences in a busy teaching hospital, delivering evidence-based therapy from acute brain injury through to specialist neurorehabilitation and community enablement.
Her expertise includes:
· Vocational rehabilitation and occupational health consultancy
· Workplace and ergonomic assessments
· Graduated return-to-work planning
· Cognitive and behavioural rehabilitation
· Movement science and tone management
· Splinting and disorders of movement
· ADL retraining and fatigue management
· Dual diagnosis and complex mental health presentations
Charlotte works holistically with adults experiencing stroke, traumatic brain injury, long-term neurological conditions, polytrauma, and co-existing psychiatric conditions. Her approach is client-centred, practical and values-driven — supporting individuals to rebuild meaningful lives following trauma or significant change.
Occupational Therapy at Bloomfield Health
At Bloomfield Health, we integrate Occupational Therapy within our broader private psychiatry services. This allows:
· Holistic mental health rehabilitation
· Neuropsychiatric and neurorehabilitation collaboration
· Expert vocational support
· Structured, measurable functional outcomes
· Seamless communication between clinicians
Whether you are a patient, family member, employer, insurer, or legal professional, our aim is to provide clear, evidence-based and outcome-focused care.
When to Consider Occupational Therapy
You may benefit from Occupational Therapy if you or your client:
· Is struggling to return to work after illness
· Feels stuck or unstructured during recovery
· Has cognitive difficulties after brain injury or stroke
· Experiences severe fatigue affecting daily life
· Needs practical strategies alongside psychiatric treatment
· Requires coordinated rehabilitation planning
Learn More
To learn more about Occupational Therapy at Bloomfield Health or to enquire about working with Charlotte Mommsen, please:
· Visit our Team page
· Explore our Rehabilitation Services
· Contact us to discuss a referral
We are committed to helping individuals move beyond symptom management toward meaningful recovery and participation.
We are registered by the Care Quality Commission (CQC),
the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
