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Low motivation (strategies)

Now and then we all experience periods when we lack motivation, whether or not we know the reasons why. But persistently low motivation can cause us to under-perform at work, as well as cause problems at home and in our relationships.

We speak to many clients, family members and professionals concerned about lack of motivation and the impact this has on a person's daily life. Our understanding, non-judgemental assessments can help identify an individual's barriers to motivation, and allow us to plan to overcome these with practical strategies in an achievable time-frame.

How OT's help

We regularly help clients overcome temporary or long-term episodes of low motivation. Some of the most common triggers for approaching us include:

  • Loss, or the threat of loss, of employment due to persistent lateness or under-performance
  • Persistently low mood or self-esteem, leading to strained relationships with family and friends
  • Anxiety and reduced appetite
  • Difficulties in maintaining concentration beyond very short periods
  • Inability to maintain a routine or structure in everyday life

Our sensitive assessment process can allow a specialist occupational therapist to identify such problems along with the reasons for them, informing our recommendations and allowing us to plan a pathway to improved mood and motivation.

Our approach

Our aim is to provide practical, non-obtrusive support to help improve motivation, so our assessment may involve looking at:

  • A client's medical history and any current diagnosis
  • Their social circumstances and support networks
  • Changes to daily routines
  • The roles and responsibilities they feel obliged to meet
  • Longer-term wishes and goals for the future

Common recommendations

Some practical solutions that we may advise to help stimulate motivation include:

  • Identifying realistic goals that can be broken down into small, achieveable steps
  • Management of anxiety or fatigue
  • Routine planning

Public sector, charities and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

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Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you in your own home and at a time convenient to you and your family, and are happy to offer evening and weekend appointments
  • We do not have waiting lists and so can offer appointments within 7 working days of referral or sooner
  • Our extensive nationwide network of registered occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • We can provide ongoing support for as long as you need it
  • Our clear, fixed pricing system will be provided to you in writing for you to consider in your own time
  • Your occupational therapist will be a specialist in their field, with over 5 years' clinical experience including time in social services or NHS practice
  • Our team are well connected to networks of local and national equipment providers, stair lift and building companies

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Case managers

We help your client's achieve optimum independence through assessment, treatment & advice.

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Solicitors

We provide solicitors with professional reports for educational tribunals or rehabilitation needs.

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Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

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Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our client management team, who will be able to understand what your difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we would propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange a visit at your home. Normally this first visit will comprise a full assessment, after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations. These may include useful items you can buy or activities you can do independently, but they may also include more complex recommendations such as home adaptations or additional treatment by the occupational therapist. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

Aminah

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Specialising in functional rehabilitation and moving and handling, Aminah is an Occupational Therapist covering South East England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Buckinghamshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Balance

Joy

Leicester, Northamptonshire

Midlands based Joy is an Occupational Therapist specializing in Housing & Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Gaya

Kent, South East of England

Working across Kent, Gaya provides expert Occupational Therapy to clients in their own homes and workplaces.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

Richard

Southampton, Hampshire

Richard, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in seating and postural management, functional rehabilitation, and neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Wheelchair accreditation

Jasmine

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

Jasmine offers specialised occupational therapy services for paediatrics and adults, focusing on neurological rehabilitation and functional skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, TBI

Yvonne

Wiltshire, West and South West of England

Qualifying in 1991, Occupational Therapist Yvonne provides expert Functional Rehabilitation, Moving and and Handling, and Housing and Equipment assessments.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Learning disability

Jacqui

Surrey, South of England

Jacqui, an OT with a focus on housing and equipment, moving and handling, and functional rehabilitation, is based in Surrey.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Lynne

Middlesbrough, Durham

Lynn, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in seating and postural management and works in the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS, CBT, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Postural management, Learning disability, Mental Health

Jessica

London - South, London

Jessica Smith is an accomplished Occupational Therapist from London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Self care, Splinting

Helena

Manchester, Greater Manchester

Helena, a highly skilled occupational therapist based in the Northwest of England, specifically Manchester, Salford, and Greater Manchester

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Manchester, Salford

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Hayley

Norfolk, East Anglia

Hayley is an experienced OT who delivers expert Functional Rehabilitation to clients across East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

Charlotte

Lincolnshire, East Midlands

Based in Lincolnshire, Charlotte is an expert Housing and Rehabilitation OT, working with clients across the East Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills

Anna

Kent, South East of England

An expert OT in Neurological Rehabilitation, Anna works with adult clients in Kent and London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Kent

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting

Sue

Somerset, West and South West of England

Sue specialises in Housing & Equipment, having developed her expertise in environments across Somerset for the past 20 years.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care

Natasha

Kent, South East of England

With over two decades of experience, highly skilled Occupational Therapist Natasha provides specialised therapy services across South East England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, Sign Language, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Lois

Perthshire and Kinross, Scotland

Based in Scotland, Lois specialises in Functional and Neurological Rehabilitation, providing expert assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Angus, Clackmannan, Dundee (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Perthshire and Kinross, Stirling

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills

Emma

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Specialising in rehabilitation, Occupational Therapist Emma provides services across Yorkshire, the Midlands, the North East and North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield, Hull, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Mental Health

Gillian

Glasgow, North Lanarkshire

Located in Glasgow, Gillian provides expert Neurological Rehabilitation for clients with spinal cord injuries and brain injuries.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Borders, Clackmannan, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Glasgow (City of), Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Lothian, Glasgow, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Gemma

London - North, Bedfordshire

Gemma is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with a specialization in Housing and Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving and Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Sue

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

As an OT with nearly 40 years of experience, Sue is an expert in paediatrics; vocational and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Wales, Avon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Carole

Greater Manchester, North West England

Carole is an experienced Occupational Therapist, supporting clients across North West England with complex needs, home adaptations, and equipment provision.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Manchester

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

Julie

Cheshire, North West England

Specialising in Functional and Neurological Rehabilitation, Julie is an Occupational Therapist based in Crewe, just south of Liverpool and Manchester.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Conwy, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Julia

London

Visiting clients across London, Julia is an experienced OT with expertise in orthopaedic conditions and brain injuries.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Lucy

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Lucy delivers expert Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment assessments for clients across East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration

Rachael

Coventry, Warwickshire

Rachael is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in home assessments, providing tailored solutions for adaptations and equipment needs for adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, London, Wales

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Balance, Self care

Paula

Warwickshire, West Midlands

Paula is an expert Occupational Therapist, delivering specialist Functional, Neurological, and Vocational Rehabilitation to clients the Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, South East of England, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Joy

Derbyshire, East Midlands

Joy is an expert Occupational Therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation and seating assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Alison

Shropshire, West Midlands

Alison, an Occupational Therapist covering the West Midlands and Wales, provides client-centred care, supporting individuals to maximise independence and wellbeing.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Gwynedd, Powys, Wrexham

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Train the trainer, Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Wheelchair accreditation

Lucy

London - South, London

Based in London, Lucy is an Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience specialising in neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Postural management, Splinting, TBI

Lorna

Shropshire, West Midlands

Lorna is a Paediatric OT located in Shropshire, supporting with sensory and motor needs for clients across the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Powys, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Counselling, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Self-Care and Mental Well-Being: Do we practice what we preach?

OT Claire specialises in enduring and complex mental health conditions. In this Expert Blog she shares her reflections, insights and advice on mental well-being, stress and resilience as a health professional.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

Managing Long COVID: The Important Role of Occupational Therapy

Alison is one of The OT Practice’s expert Occupational Therapists who specialises in Fatigue Management. Here, Alison discusses how Long COVID is affecting our clients and shares some practical guidance for recovery and long-term fatigue management.

Read more