OT ~ What's your focus?

In this episode, I consider what bread and butter occupational therapy is. Is it a real thing? Does it exist? What are your thoughts on the matter? Regardless of the setting you may be working in; this episode acts as a real-time reflection using responses via an online poll I performed to guide and expand the discussion. Continue this discussion with me online, all views/opinions are welcome.

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Today's guest is Laura Dunger. Laura graduated from the University of Northampton in 2011 and is currently completing her Masters in Advanced Occupational Therapy at the University of Salford (finishing this summer!). Laura has spent most of her post-graduate experience working within Forensic CAMHS. Since 2018 she has worked within a unique role, employed as a CAMHS Occupational Therapist working with children and young people who come into contact with our local acute hospital. These young people often experience significant physical symptoms such as not being able to move, eat, walk, significant fatigue, and/or pain that doesn't have an obvious biological cause but is associated with psychological health. These are often referred to as somatic, psychosomatic symptoms, functional, or medically unexplained symptoms.

Laura also has the capacity to see young people where their mental and physical health is impacting on participation, such as young people who have sleep disorders, significant obesity, chronic conditions, and eating disorders (such as young people admitted acutely because of their physical health).

We cover so much in this episode from Laura's journey to sensory integration and a day in the life of a CAMHS OT. I always appreciate your feedback so please do feel free to reach out to me on the below platforms and if you want to leave me a review on whichever app you listen from. 

Recommendations by Laura:

The Body keeps the score Mind, brain, and body in the transformation of trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk 

Lauras Twitter: @Smalls_OT

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch in the following ways - Follow me on

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Dr. Ian Marsh talks about the critical thinking tool & about his knowledge in suicide & suicide prevention. We hear about how Ian came to occupational therapy as a profession, his work lecturing at university, and what he enjoys about his role. We discuss some of his publications and talk about whether or not there is value in teaching occupational therapy students about suicide prevention. 

Below is some information if you feel you need to talk following the contents of this show. There are many other helplines and organisations I have listed two of the main ones to get in touch with.

Samaritans - 

Are available online at: https://www.samaritans.org/ or if in the UK you can call 116 123 to talk on the phone. 

Shout - Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere.  It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.

Shout are available at: http://www.giveusashout.org/ or you can text 85258 to start up a confidential text chat. 

Unfortunately, I have been unable to insert an image of the Critical Thinking Tool (CTT) into the show notes but it is very easy to find on google if you want to know more. 

Ian's recommendations:

Three colours Blue -is a 1993 French drama film directed and co-written by Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski. Blue is the first of three films that comprise the Three colour trilogy, themed on the French revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity; it is followed by white and red.

Fearless - is a 1993 American drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Jeff Bridges.

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch in the following ways - Follow me on

Twitter @farrah_money

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Today's guest gives a great insight into the practice area of hand therapy. Katie has a super interesting story as to how OT became her career pathway. Katie is super passionate as well as extremely knowledgeable about her role in hand therapy. We cover common conditions seen, challenges faced, and debunk whether or not 4000 clinical hours are really needed here in the UK. Enjoy the show! 

Katie's recommendations:

Atul Gawande - Being Mortal (Book) 

This is a book about the modern experience of mortality. Gawande outlines a story that crosses the globe, as he examines his experiences as a surgeon and those of his patients and family, and learns to accept the limits of what he can do.

Channel 4 drama - Its a Sin 

Drama from Russell T Davies about five friends. With their lives tested as they grow up in the shadow of AIDS, they're determined to live and love more fiercely than ever.

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch in the following ways - Follow me on

Twitter @farrah_money

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Today's episode is with Alex Thompson an occupational therapist in the police force. What does Alex do as part of her role? How does she bring/incorporate those OT skills into her new role? What does an average day look like in the police? Find all this out plus much, much more! Alex worked in acute mental health prior to carving her current role as a wellbeing support worker out, all during the middle of the global pandemic too! It's lovely to find new and exciting areas with OTs working within them. Alex is a great inspiration to any OT out there who feels they can see their skills working out in what one might term a non-traditional role, enjoy listening and as always do get in touch with any comments.

Recommendations from Alex:

Blue a memoir Book by John Sutherland 

Emotional survival for law enforcement Book by Kevin M. Gilmartin

Website: Police care UK available at: https://www.policecare.org.uk/ 

You can follow Alex on Twitter at: @AlexThompsonOT

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch the following ways - Follow me on

Twitter @farrah_money

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Hello everyone, I hope all is going well for you. So we have come to the end of my mini-series charting my placement experience within adult neuro! I hope you have enjoyed it and found some or all of it worthwhile in some way. Today I reflect on the placement overall and offer some top tips as well as discuss some challenges I faced. We will be getting back to the usual set up of guests on the next episode in two weeks times. 

If you enjoy this podcast then please do share with a friend or colleague who you feel may benefit from listening. You can also subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch in the following ways - Follow me on

Twitter @farrah_money

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

In today's episode, we talk about a range of topics from practice educators (PE's) to upper limb exercises and sock aids! I hope you have all been keeping safe and well and are enjoying the mini-series. I can't quite believe I only have one week of my placement left and one final episode, I have left the link below for those of you that would like to look up the foam block hand excercises. As always you are more than welcome to get in touch with me. 

If you enjoy this podcast then please do share with a friend or colleague who you feel may benefit from listening. You can also subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch in the following ways - Follow me on

Twitter @farrah_money

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Foam block hand exercises - https://www.fvfiles.com/521997.pdf 

Hi all, happy Saturday! I hope you are all keeping safe and well. Welcome to episode 2 of 4 in this new mini-series charting my current placement within adult neuro. Things covered this week include:

• Time management 
• Covid vaccination
• Sleep 
• What I've been up to
• Questions 

If you enjoy this podcast then please do share with a friend or colleague who you feel may benefit from listening. You can also subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch the following ways - Follow me on

Twitter @farrah_money

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Hello all, here is the first of four episodes created to form part of a mini-series charting my placement with adult neuro. I hope you find it useful in some way and can share with others too if you think that helps. As this is the first in the series there is still time for you to get any questions you might have to me to record for the final episode. I have had a few since recording this so will try to incorporate as many as possible. Have a great couple of weeks, speak to you soon!

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch the following ways - Follow me on

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It's a world exclusive on the show! Today's guest is Dr Frank Kronenberg!  Frank brings some real thought-provoking ideas to the table around the area of occupational therapy. We get to know Frank a little alongside my fabulous co-host  Juman exploring what he terms  'refleXion' with an X discovering Franks perspective of where he comes from and what he brings to the OT table. This leads into his work around the term he coined 'occupational apartheid' where we discuss systemic racism and ways that racism manifests institutionally. I truly;y enjoyed this discussion with both Frank and Juman and hope you do too. 

There are fantastic suggestions throughout the episode the details are below!

Franks recommendations: 

Our first ever music suggestions which makes me very happy! ~ A love supreme by John Coltrane (1964) 

Also, a BBC documentary titled: A love supreme -50 years on available on BBC iplayer.

The podcast series titled BAME OT NETWORK "Let's talk" by Mish Ahmed-Landeryou available at: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CuyrBIcNWGrR88XoHyIGz 

Article by Alejandro Guajardo Córdoba (2020)  'New forms of colonization in occupational therapy' Reflections on the idea of occupational justice from a critical, political philosophy perspective. 

What a complete pleasure this chat with Eric was today! We cover so much about Occupational Therapy in Ghana. Eric is part of the first batch of qualified Occupational therapists in Ghana as the country have only been offering the OT programme since 2012. We cover so much in this episode from the profession being new, to some challenges this would undoubtedly cause, mentorship, research, a brand new "seedling model" hopefully to be published soon as well as how Covid-19 is impacting the profession and Erics role. 

Erics Recommendations: 

Erics published work discussed on the show titled: Exploring the factors that affect new graduates’ transition from students to health professionals: a systematic integrative review protocol 

Available at: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/8/e033734.abstract 

Instagram: Occupational therapy Ghana 

Twitter: otag_ghana

Website: OTghana.org 

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch the following ways - Follow me on

Twitter @farrah_money

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Welcome to episode 11 of OT What's your focus! Today's guest is Kelsey Reeves who is based in Georgia America. Kelsey earned a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Augusta University. After graduating, she worked as a travel occupational therapist in a variety of settings all over the States. Kelsey now works in both acute care and inpatient rehab specializing in spinal cord and brain injuries. She has a special interest in cultural sensitivity and fostering inclusive environments for the LGBTQ+ community.  We cover so much in this episode today from appropriate pronouns to definitions of the acronym LGBTQIA+. As a student, such topics can feel daunting so I wanted to produce an episode surrounding this topic to hopefully help those who maybe feel they would like to know a little more or even add to what they do know. I hope you enjoy the episode :)  

Kelsey's recommendation:

Safezone project - A free online resource providing curricula, activities and other resources for sexuality, gender, available at -  https://thesafezoneproject.com  

My recommendation:

The death and life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix) Review from rotten tomatoes - "Offers a unique perspective on liberation for gender nonconforming individuals and is an imperative documentary for anyone looking to fully understand the origins and evolution of the LGBT movement."

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch the following ways - Follow me on

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Welcome to episode 10 of OT what's your focus? Today on the show we have  Kent occupational therapy which is a local business in Kent (England) that offers a unique and bespoke OT service. Set up by Sophie Jopling and Sarah Mousley who both worked as senior occupational therapists within the NHS in this episode we cover their background, who works in the team, and their amazing multi-sensory reminiscence activity book. How did they come up with their various themes for the book? How was the jump from NHS to private practice? Is the sensory approach something that is missed in older person care? Find out the answer to all these plus so many more questions! If you would like to check out Sarah & Sophie's website then you can go to kentot.co.uk I hope you enjoy the show.

Sarah & Sophie's recommendation: The Multi-Sensory Reminiscence Activity Book: 52 Weekly Group Session Plans for Working with Older Adults 

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you listen on! You can also get in touch the following ways - Follow me on 

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Today was a very special episode for me as I had the absolute privilege to interview Dr Elizabeth Townsend, I also had the pleasure of having Dr Juman Simaan co-host the show with me so it was a win/win!  Dr Elizabeth Townsend is an occupational therapist adult educator and occupational scientist, who started her career in rural Uganda, East Africa after graduation in 1967 from the University of Toronto. On returning to Canada, she worked in rehabilitation, home care, and community mental health settings in Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. In the realm of education, Liz has a background that spans almost 35 years of program and curriculum design, program implementation and program evaluation in adult community mental health services in Prince Edward Island and higher education at Dalhousie University. Together Liz, Juman and I  will discuss a variety of topics including terminology surrounding the concepts of occupational justice, occupational injustice, and occupational rights which address systemic social exclusion, deprivation and other marginalizing social practices. We consider how OT’s can work for Justice including how this can be achieved using the Participatory occupational justice framework. We find out just how did Liz cross paths with Ann Wilcock, which then led on to the creation of occupational justice. 

Liz's recommendations  Netflix documentary - There's something in the water (2019) This documentary spotlights the struggle of minority communities in Nova Scotia as they fight officials over the lethal effects of industrial waste. 

Wilcock, A. A. (1998)-  ‘Reflections on Doing, Being and Becoming’, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(5), pp. 248–256. DOI: 10.1177/000841749806500501. Ana Malfitano - Social Occupational Therapy (book) due out November 2020 full of examples of working with the 'social'.

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe! You can also get in touch the following ways - Follow me on Twitter @farrah_money Instagram - OT_whatsyourfocus Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

What a pleasure it was to get together with three of my fellow students today. After months of being locked down and unable to 'see' each other in person via video call, today was a great opportunity for some contact! Today we discuss what bought the four of us to OT as a profession and say whether or not we had considered other options. There is talk around the length of the current degree, we consider is 3 years to short/long or just right! We bravely attempt to describe OT as a profession in a sentence or two and say how we feel Covid-19 has impacted the profession from our own perspectives. 

Tutu's recommendation - Michelle Obama biography 'Becoming'

Ianthes recommendation - Podcast @Seniors Flourish@ with Mandy Chamberlain 

Sarahs Recommendation - Alison Lapper Biography 'My life in my hands' 

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe! You can also get in touch the following ways -

Follow me on twitter @farrah_money

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Welcome to episode 7 of OT~whats your focus. Today I speak with Annelise, we discuss all things paediatrics and talk about some innovative ideas that parents can maintain and engage their child with alongside their occupational therapist during the lockdown and beyond. Annelise lives in Melbourne Australia and at the time of the interview, the state was under strict lockdown to try to contain the virus. This meant a shift to an online therapy session (Telehealth) so we talk about this, how does it work? What's involved? How has OT practice adapted especially considering assessments? We also compare healthcare systems between the UK and Australia so an interesting episode all round! 

Annelise's recommendations:

Teachers pay teachers website which can be found at - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ This contains a variety of resources (over 3 million)  that includes free visual schedules and can be tailored to your country.

Twinkle - A great resource for matching your goals to the child's curriculum

OTtoolbox - A jam-packed site full of resources for all available at - https://www.theottoolbox.com/

Tots schooling - Lots of free downloadable and printable resources for working with children available at - https://www.totschooling.net/

Annelise is on Instagram and you can follow her at-  ot.and.me 

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe! You can also get in touch the following ways -

Follow me on twitter @farrah_money

Instagram - OT_whatsyourfocus

Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

This impressive duo Holly & Ali will completely inspire you throughout this episode. We learn a little about why both holly and Ali entered the world of OT as well as discuss what purpose therapy box is and how it came to be. What do you get in a box? How often do they get shipped out? How many hours per week do you actually need to dedicate to such an endeavour? All this plus so much more will be answered. What I feel this episode really highlights is that the spirit of OT can truly be championed in all manner of ways because we as a profession do not need to sit neatly inside a box, enjoy!  

Recommendations from Holly  

The podcast -How I built this with Guy Raz 

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1150510297?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory 

Recommendations from Ali 

The OT Facebook community

Youtube videos for all manner of OT tips

If you enjoy this podcast then please do subscribe! 

Follow me on twitter @farrah_money 

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Email:OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Have you ever wondered what occupational science is? Want to know more but a little unsure how to find out, or where to start looking? Then this podcast episode with Dr Juman Simaan will be the perfect option for those of you that want to know more. This episode covers so much from occupational science through to displacement, marginalised groups within society and occupational justice to name but a few concepts! 

This week recommended reads from Juman: 

Grandmothers Against Poverty and Aids (GAPA) available at:  http://www.gapa.org.za/.

Black OTs Matter: Changing Your OT Practice to Combat Racism, Address Racial Trauma, and Promote Healing in a blog called Gotta Be OT differently every day. 

The RCOT open letter and the response by Diane Cox & Julia Scott 

I love to know what you think so please do get in touch! 

Follow me on Instagram @ot_whatsyourfocus

Email me: OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Trailblazer Georgia Vine joins me with her mentor Margaret Spencer to tell me all about Georgia's recent virtual occupational therapy placement, from gaining independence through to connecting and championing the various online communities. We talk about what it means to be a disabled activist the benefits of working virtually and what being an OT student means to Georgia. The idea of the 'virtual placement' having the potential to become a reality across the sector is truly exciting and a sure sign that the occupational therapy profession is evolving and adapting to what is an ever changing environment. Enjoy listening!

This weeks recommendation from Georgia is: Rushton, T. (2018) 'Exploring the lived experience of being an occupational therapy student with additional support requirements.'  

Follow Georgia on Instagram @notsoterriblepalsy 

Website: notsoterriblepalsy.com

Also look into her work with the charity cerebral palsy teens uk @cpteensuk 

Thanks for listening, I really appreciate you choosing to listen to the OT~whats your focus podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and want to follow the podcast please share it, leave a comment and subscribe! You can get in touch with me using the details below: 

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Email me: OTwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com

Welcome, thanks for joining;  I am so pleased to finally be doing this brand new podcast series. I love podcasts and have learnt so much recently about everything occupational therapy based so wanted to give it a go. In this episode, I will be giving a brief introduction to myself and my thoughts about what my vision is for this podcast. I will be starting initially from a student perspective as I'm a final year OT but look forward to continuing to chart my career through to qualifying and beyond.

Follow me on Instagram @ot_whatsyourfocus or email me: otwhatsyourfocus@gmail.com  I hope you enjoy the podcast!