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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

Your Clinical Services Manager

Victoria

Victoria

Snr Clinical Services Manager

Victoria, an experienced OT, is the Clinical Services Manager supervising the team looking after referrals from our case managers, solicitors and other professional clients.

Email the team

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.

Find out more

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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Ekaete

Essex, London

Ekaeke is a Neurological Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist specialising in Brain Injury based around Chelmsford and working in Essex.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Essex

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

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

Katy

Hampshire, South of England

Specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation, Katy is an expert OT based in Fareham in Hampshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, South East of England, Berkshire, Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, Bristol, Brighton, Southampton, Bath, Swindon

Specialisms

Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Makaton, Wheelchair accreditation

Laura

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Trained in advanced postural management and rehabilitation techniques, Laura provides expert Occupational Therapy to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, London, South of England, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Julie

London - West, Berkshire

Julie, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in functional rehabilitation, neurology, complex paediatrics, and handwriting assessments.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Berkshire, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment

Natiq

London - East, Essex

Qualifying in 2011, Natiq specialises in housing & equipment, rehabilitation and seating & postural management for adults and children.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Karina

London - West, London

Specialising in Seating and Postural Management, Functional Rehabilitation and Moving and Handling, Karina provides occupational therapy services in London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Postural management

Anne

Warwickshire, West Midlands

Located in Solihull, Anne is a highly experienced OT providing comprehensive assessments and rehabilitation for clients across the Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution

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, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Financial management, 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

Jennie

Hampshire, South East of England

Hampshire and West Sussex based occupational therapist Jennie specialises in mental health, Moving & Handling and Housing.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Hampshire, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Daily living skills

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

Anna

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Anna, a dedicated Occupational Therapist based in the Midlands, serves Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Stoke-on-Trent and has multiple specialisms.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, TBI

Laura

London - Central, Buckinghamshire

Lauren, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, The Vale of Glamorgan, London - Central

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, Splinting

Claire

Newport, Wales

OT Claire delivers Seating & Postural Management, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving & Handling services in Wales (Cardiff, Monmouthshire) and Bristol.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Somerset, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen, Cardiff

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

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

Claire

Liverpool, Greater Manchester

Specialising in Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, and Functional Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist Claire works across North West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, Wales

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

Sara

Flintshire, Wales

Sara is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with over three decades of expertise in rehabilitation, adaptations, and independent living solutions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Cheshire, Liverpool

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Adele

East Sussex, South East of England

Adele, an experienced Occupational Therapist in South East England, specialises in Moving and Handling and Functional Rehabilitation, supporting diverse conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Balance, Self care

Darragh

Dorset, South of England

Darragh is a highly specialist Occupational Therapist who practices in Major Trauma & Orthopaedics & Neurotherapy.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England, South East of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Planning & execution, Self care

Janet

London - South, Kent

Janet is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in paediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, she works with children at home and school.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Chandrajeet

London - West, Middlesex

Specialising in Housing & Equipment, Chandrajeet is an experienced OT based in West London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - West

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care

Ellie

Southampton, Hampshire

Ellie is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome covering Hampshire and the South.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Hampshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

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

Carly

Essex, South East of England

Specialist Occupational Therapist Carly provides neurological rehabilitation and housing adaptations across South East England, offering tailored, evidence-based interventions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Essex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, Mental Health, TBI

Mary Kate

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Mary Kate is an OT in Northern Ireland, specialising in Seating & Postural Management and delivering expert wheelchair assessments.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Jacqui

Flintshire, Wales

Based in Flintshire, Jacqui is an experienced OT specialising in Functional & Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Wales, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Shropshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, Learning disability

Zoe

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Occupational Therapist Zoe, specializing in functional rehabilitation, serves the North East of England in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Angela

Glasgow, Glasgow (City of)

Working throughout London, Occupational Therapist Angela provides Neurological Rehabilitation and enjoys helping those who have experienced a Stroke.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Counselling, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Postural management

Clare

Wiltshire, South East of England

Specialising in Housing & Equipment, Clare is an OT based in Buckinghamshire delivering assessments for clients across the South East.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South East of England, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA, Train the trainer

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.

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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