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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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Louise

Derby, Derbyshire

Based in Derby, Louise provides expert Occupational Therapy helping clients with Housing & Equipment and Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, London, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Channel Islands, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sarah

Devon, West and South West of England

Specialising in neuro-rehabilitation, Sarah is an OT based in Devon, working with clients following neurological trauma or diagnosis.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Postural management

Rosie

Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Rosie is a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner offering services across the East Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Sensory Attachment Therapy

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, School Based Therapy/Support, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, Mental Health

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

Kate Louise

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Katie is located in Newcastle and provides expert assessments and treatment plans to clients across the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Postural management, TBI

Jodie

Kent, South East of England

OT Jodie provides Neurological rehabilitation in the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

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

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

Lisa

London - South, Kent

Lisa is an expert Housing and Equipment Occupational Therapist, delivering specialist assessments to clients in London and Kent.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, London - Central, London - South

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills

Alex

West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Alex is an expert OT specialising in the field of Neurological Rehabilitation, covering Yorkshire and the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, 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, Postural management, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Anna

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Based in Northern Ireland, Anna specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation, Housing & Equipment, and Seating & Postural Management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

TBI

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

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

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

Jennie

South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Jennie is a highly experienced OT based in Doncaster. She provides Functional and Neuro rehabilitation for adults across Yorkshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

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

Jessica

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Jess supports children and adults with functional rehabilitation, equipment adaptations, moving and handling, and complex paediatrics clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Dysphagia management

Cheryl

Wolverhampton, Staffordshire

Cheryl is a specialist Occupational Therapist with expertise in rehabilitation, housing adaptations, and equipment provision, promoting independence and safety.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Cheshire, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

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

Rachel

Dorset, South of England

Rachel, an expert Occupational Therapist based in Hampshire, specialises in paediatrics and handwriting assessments and treatments and EHCPs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment, Postural management

Michael

Merseyside, North West England

Housing & equipment, and functional rehabilitation OT Michael operates in the North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Midlands, Flintshire, Wrexham

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Ergonomics

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Routine planning, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution

Sharon

London - West, London

Sharon is an experienced Occupational Therapist in London, specialising in Housing and Equipment and Functional Rehabilitation for mental health conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Mental Health

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

Claire

Moray, Scotland

Supporting clients across Aberdeenshire and Moray, Claire is an experienced OT with expertise in Mental Health.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Highland, Moray

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

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

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

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

Jordan

Birmingham, West Midlands

Jordan, a Specialist Occupational Therapist in the West Midlands, provides expert support in housing, equipment, rehabilitation, and moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West Midlands, Birmingham, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Daily living skills

Alistair

Pembrokeshire, Wales

Alistair, an accomplished Occupational Therapist residing in Pembrokeshire, Wales who specialises in in Functional and Neurological rehabilitation, and housing adaptions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, South of England, South East of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Avon, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Herefordshire, Kent, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Borders, Orkney, Shetland, South Lanarkshire, Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Wrexham

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Alyssa

Plymouth, Devon

Alyssa is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in neurological rehabilitation, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling across the South West.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Plymouth

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Sheila

London - West, Middlesex

Sheila, a dedicated Occupational Therapist in London, specialises in rehabilitation, aids, and adaptations, promoting independence and enhancing wellbeing.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Middlesex, London - North, London - West

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Balance

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

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

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