Sometimes, performing daily activities is no longer as straightforward, for example, due to experiencing an illness, a chronic condition, or symptoms with no clear cause. At Emerald Occupational Therapy, the goal is to empower the client to regain control over their own life. Sufficient strength and energy for family, hobbies, studies, and work. Through exercises, advice, and suitable solutions for your situation, we work together to help you do the things that you truly matter to you.
What is occupational therapy?
When performing daily activities becomes difficult, occupational therapy focuses on enabling the performance again. In contrast to some medical professions, an occupational therapist looks at the client as a whole, beyond just the problem or diagnosis. An occupational therapist considers who the client is, what the client values, and where the client is skilled or not skilled. This helps discover what truly motivates the client in life and allows for the setting of treatment goals. With the right determination, we work towards achieving these personal goals."
For which groups?
Emerald Occupational Therapy focuses on (young) adults with physical, mental, or psychological complaints in the region of Delft. My specialization lies in the following range of conditions:
- Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)
- Acquired Brain Injuries (such as strokes)
- Chronic pain conditions
- Chronic fatigue issues
- Sensory overload (sensory integration)
- Burnout / Boreout
- Post-COVID-19 recovery
Treatment methods
The treatment always begins with an intake. Based on your needs and the analysis from our first conversation, we determine the objectives we will work towards. The treatments may include:
- Managing energy better throughout the day (energy management)
- Creating a balance between demands and capacity
- Learning to recognize and communicate boundaries
- Dealing with sensory overload or improving sensory processing
- Guidance with planning and organizing daily tasks
- Assisting in returning to work
- Practicing daily activities
These are examples of what we can work on. There is no right or wrong in the process. We look at what is most practical in your situation. What do you need to move forward? Better energy management, a different daily schedule, or creating an adapted environment? If we can't find a solution together, we may consider using assistive tools.
However, this will always be a last resort to prevent unnecessary reliance on these aids. I believe that humans have a remarkable adaptive ability; humans are creative beings. We will tap into this creativity first before resorting to using equipment.
Depending on your needs, we will decide together whether the treatments take place at the practice or if home visits are necessary. If needed, we will coordinate with other healthcare professionals and your treating physician.
ASITT
Adult Sensory Integration Timmerman Treatment (ASITT) is a treatment protocol that can be used for disrupted sensory integration (sensory processing). Due to disrupted sensory processing or sensory overload, you may experience issues such as hypersensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, and nausea.
In the initial phase of treatment, we focus on gaining insight into the workings of sensory integration. You will learn compensation and regulation techniques to gain control over sensory overload.
In the second phase, we focus on desensitization exercises, helping the brain reprocess stimuli in a more recognizable manner.
ReAttach
ReAttach is a non-invasive, short-term treatment method focused on optimizing the processing of stress and sensory stimuli. The strength of ReAttach lies in the fact that you don't have to discuss what you've experienced, what troubles you, what you want to change, or what you want to process.
In ReAttach treatments, cognitive exercises and gentle rhythmic touch on the hands are utilized. This enables you to retrieve, register, and (re)position the correct information on your own. With ReAttach, new insights emerge, offering increased calm and clarity, enabling you to address your personal goals.
