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Low motivation (strategies)

Find out how we can help

Small steps that build towards to motivation and success

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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Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with low motivation.

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

A few of our rehabilitation specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are experienced in strategies to increased motivation and engagement.

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Judy

Newcastle upon Tyne, Cumbria

Based in Carlisle, Judy delivers neurological rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy to promote independence and everyday function.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Mental Health

Dearbhla

Cardiff, Cardiff

Dearbhla provides specialised occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation, functional rehabilitation, housing and equipment, and improving daily living skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Bristol, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport, The Vale of Glamorgan, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

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

Amber

Birmingham, West Midlands

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Mental Health

Sam

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Based in Northamptonshire, Sam is an OT with over 20 years of experience, specialising in rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Warwickshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance, Self care, Postural management

Leila

West Sussex, South East of England

Leila, an OT focusing on housing and equipment, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling, brings her expertise to London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - South, Brighton, Southampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Wheelchair accreditation

Corin

Bristol, Somerset

Corin is an experienced occupational therapist with community healthcare experience, specialising in rehabilitation and covering the South West.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Bristol, Somerset, Bristol

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Wheelchair accreditation

Felice

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Based in Milton Keynes, Felice supports clients with rehabilitation and home adaptations following an injury or diagnosis.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, London - Central, London - North, London - East, London - West, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Charlotte

Southampton, Hampshire

Charlotte is an OT based in Southampton, delivering specialist rehabilitation and housing assessments across the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

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

Daily living skills, Community access, Balance

Sarah

Greater Manchester, North West England

Specialising in complex physical and mental health conditions, Sarah provides expert Occupational Therapy assessments to clients across North West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

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

Leah

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Leah has a wealth of experience across different areas of speciality including elderly care, rehabilitation, equipment provision and neurology.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, 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

Marta

Surrey, South East of England

Based in Surrey, Marta is a highly skilled OT who specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation and supports clients across the South-East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management

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

Barbara

Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire

Based in Hull, Occupational Therapist Barbara is a dedicated professional specializing in functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, and neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, East Riding of Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Ganga

Kent, South East of England

Ganga is a highly experienced OT delivering specialist rehabilitation for adults and children across the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - South, London - East, Brighton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Social integration

Val

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Val is an accredited Best Interests Assessor, delivering specialist assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly, Bristol, Plymouth, Salford

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS, BIA, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Counselling, DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Community access

Hazel

Cardiff, Cardiff

Cardiff, Newport and North Somerset based Occupational Therapist Hazel specialises in Seating and Postural, Housing & Equipment, Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, The Vale of Glamorgan

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Karen

Greater Manchester, North West England

Occupational Therapist Karen specialises in Rehabilitation for adults and older adults, focusing on Mental Health, Dementia, and Physical Health Conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Melissa

Cumbria, North West England

Melissa is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner supporting children and young people across the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Makaton, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability, Mental Health

Dawn

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Dawn is an OT based in Cornwall, providing expert assessments and therapy for both adult and paediatric clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sian

Southampton, Hampshire

With over two decades of experience, Occupational Therapist Sian provides expert rehabilitation services across the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Southampton, Swindon

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Muhammed

London - East, Cambridgeshire

Qualifying in 2011, Muhammed specialises in paediatric occupational therapy, sensory integration, autism, equipment provision and neuro rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, East Midlands, East Anglia, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Northamptonshire, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West, Birmingham, Leicester

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, School Based Therapy/Support, Mental Health

Benedicta

Buckinghamshire, West Midlands

Benedicta is a dedicated occupational therapist specialising in Functional Rehab and Housing & Equipment solutions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Herefordshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, West Midlands

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills

Suzanne

Cheshire, North West England

Suzanne provides expert occupational therapy services, specialising in rehabilitation, equipment and adaptations and functional assessments across North West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Susanna

Norfolk, East Anglia

Qualified since 2002, Susanna specialises in neurological rehabilitation, helping adults achieve meaningful goals through expert Occupational Therapy interventions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

Jenna

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Operating in the South of England, OT Jenna specialises in hand therapy, functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, and splinting

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Splinting

Joanne

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Working with adults, Joanne offers specialised Occupational Therapy services focusing on neurological rehabilitation, housing adaptations, functional rehabilitation, and equipment provision.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Scotland, Cumbria, Durham, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Borders, East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Fife, Midlothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

CHARITIES: Mental health and getting back on your feet

In this edition of our Educational Series for charities, we explore how occupational therapy supports people whose mental health challenges affect everyday life and participation. We highlight how OTs work alongside individuals to understand practical barriers and identify realistic ways to promote recovery, independence and engagement in meaningful roles at home and in the community.

Read more

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