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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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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

Aaron

Wakefield, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Aaron, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, functional rehab, and moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Manchester, Wakefield, Hull

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Routine planning, Community access

Janet

Birmingham, West Midlands

Working in the West Midlands, OT Janet specialises in Vocational Rehabilitation, Housing, Postural Management; Fatigue, Anxiety and Pain.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Ergonomics

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Postural management, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

Kate

Brighton, West Sussex

Kate is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in rehabilitation, housing adaptations, and equipment provision across Southern England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, East Sussex, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

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

Clare

Swindon, Wiltshire

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

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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

Jessica

London - South, London

Jessica is an experienced Neurological Occupational Therapist, offering expert rehabilitation services across London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

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

Stacey

Kent, South East of England

Based in Canterbury, Stacey is an expert OT providing assessments and interventions for adults with physical and neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Self care, Postural management, TBI

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

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

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

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

Kerri

Antrim, Northern Ireland

Kerri, an Occupational Therapist, specializes in housing and equipment, and wheelchair accreditation. Her professional dedication extends to various regions,

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West and South West of England, South of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales , Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol, Sunderland, Belfast, Newcastle upon Tyne, Brighton, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Wheelchair accreditation

Amy

Devon, West and South West of England

Located in Devon, Amy is an expert OT who provides specialist interventions for clients across the South-West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Self care, Postural management, TBI

Thelma

London - North, Cambridgeshire

Thelma provides expert Occupational Therapy services addressing diverse physical and mental health conditions across North East England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, London - North, London - East, Edinburgh, Leicester

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Mental Health

Pilar

East Sussex, West and South West of England

OT Pilar provides Functional Rehabilitation, Manual Handling, and Pain and Fatigue Management across East Sussex (Brighton) and South London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, London, East Sussex, West Sussex, London - South, Brighton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills

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

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

Kirsty

Liverpool, Cheshire

Based in Chester, Kirsty is an experienced OT specialising in Housing & Equipment and Moving & Handling interventions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Wales, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Powys, Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, Stoke-on-Trent, Salford

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Community access, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Learning disability

Alison

Birmingham, Warwickshire

Alison is an experienced OT based in Warwickshire. She supports clients of all ages with progressive neurological and life-limiting conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Sophy

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Based in Northampton, Sophy is an OT with expertise in the field of Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Warwickshire, London - North, Coventry, Leicester

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

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

Carlie

Lancashire, North West England

Carlie is an expert OT in neuro and functional rehabilitation based in Lancashire, providing specialist interventions for adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester, Salford

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

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

Chia-Chien

London - South, Surrey

Chia is an occupational therapist fluent in Mandarin who specialises in paediatrics and neurology.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - North, London - South, London - West

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, TBI

Ruth

Kent, South East of England

Ruth is an OT based in Whitstable, Kent, offering comprehensive assessments and rehabilitation for clients with injury and long-term conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent, London - South

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, 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

Charlotte

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Charlotte is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling and Rehabilitation across East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills

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

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

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