Occupational Therapy at Mountain Valley

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession focused on helping individuals regain the ability to engage in daily activities that give their lives meaning and purpose. These activities, or “occupations,” include essential tasks such as personal care, work, and leisure. OT operates on the belief that meaningful engagement in everyday activities is critical to health and well-being.

OT practitioners work in various settings, assisting individuals in overcoming physical, cognitive, and mental health challenges. The activities range from basic tasks like brushing teeth and dressing to more complex actions like maintaining a job or building relationships. In OT, activity engagement serves as both a therapeutic tool and the end goal, with the aim of helping individuals return to meaningful daily tasks in their lives.

What is Mental Health Occupational Therapy?

While many people associate OT with physical rehabilitation, it was originally founded in the field of psychiatry. During the 19th-century “moral treatment” movement, care for individuals with mental health challenges shifted toward humane approaches that included engaging patients in meaningful activities such as gardening, cooking, and creative arts. This practice demonstrated the therapeutic power of purposeful engagement in improving mental health.

Today, OT in mental health continues to play a vital role. Occupational therapists use therapeutic activities to help individuals heal from mental health challenges, enabling them to re-engage in meaningful daily activities and restore function in their lives.

Occupational Therapy at Mountain Valley

Occupational Therapy is a core component of the treatment offered at Mountain Valley, both in individual therapy and as part of the overall treatment approach. Our OT provides group and individual services, focusing on:

• Promoting and assessing functionality in daily living activities (hygiene, dressing, etc.) and instrumental activities (time management, household chores, etc.).
• Encouraging healthy lifestyle habits and routines (sleep, exercise, social engagement, leisure activities).
• Engaging residents in activities that bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
• Sensory processing assessment and intervention to promote emotional regulation and well-being.
• Incorporating mind-body practices such as mindfulness, yoga, and biofeedback.
• Supporting the practical application of therapeutic skills in everyday living.

On a broader level, Occupational Therapy informs Mountain Valley’s treatment philosophy, environment, and approach to care:

• The intentional use of meaningful activities, such as animal care, gardening, cooking, adventure, and creative arts, as tools for healing and recovery.
• The creation of a healthy, supportive environment that fosters community, connection, and belonging.
• A client-centered approach focused on improving functioning rather than solely treating disorders.
• A structured daily routine and schedule that replicates normal adolescent/young adult life (school, work, etc.).
• The use of a sensory-informed and sensory-enriched environment to promote healing, emotional regulation, and healthy development.

Occupational Therapy at Mountain Valley is a cornerstone of our treatment approach, designed to enhance the functionality and well-being of our residents. By offering both individual and group services, we focus on promoting daily living skills and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. Our OT program engages residents in meaningful activities—such as animal care, gardening, and creative arts—that foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Additionally, we utilize sensory processing assessments and interventions to support emotional regulation. With a client-centered philosophy and a structured daily routine that mirrors normal life, our OT services create a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and recovery, helping individuals reclaim their lives and engage fully in their daily activities.