Services - Helen Roome: Adult Occupational Therapist

Services

The scope of my OT practice is working with Adults (older than 18 years of age) experiencing chronic pain, stress and/or fatigue.

Common conditions I provide occupational therapy for include:

What To Expect From Your Sessions

General First Consultation/Evaluation (Available via virtual consultation)

My first consultation with you is up to 1.5 hours long to give time for an interview, physical examination (if appropriate) and completion of other assessments.

The evaluation is wholistic – incorporating questions and assessment of physical, psychological, cognitive, spiritual and functional aspects relating to your condition.

By the end of the first consultation, we will discuss and agree on a therapy plan together. Discussion will include the nature of the therapy (e.g. activities, processes, techniques) and the number of sessions likely to be needed. This therapy plan is subject to change if necessary.

In addition, recommendations may be made regarding referral to other members of the interdisciplinary team.

General Follow-up Consultations (Available via virtual consultation)

Follow-up consultations are usually scheduled weekly and for 30 min or 1 hour in length.

This relationship is a partnership in which satisfactory change will depend largely on your willingness to stay actively engaged in making positive choices for your health and life. At any time, you have the freedom to ask questions; change your mind; refuse to participate and/or seek other opinions.

It is helpful to attend consistently as a sense of momentum builds and change is easier to initiate and maintain this way.

Therapy is always aimed at educating and empowering you to self-manage going forward.

Pain Evaluation (Available via combined virtual & in-person consultation)

All pain is not the same. There are different types of pain with different underlying mechanisms and different factors contributing to your pain intensity and interference with your life.

If you are consulting me for help with chronic pain management, I would first do a comprehensive pain assessment. This involves an interview, physical examination and your completion of a number of self-report questionnaires. The evaluation can take 1.5 to 2 hours.

The pain evaluation is wholistic – incorporating physical, psychological, social/environmental and functional aspects relating to your condition.

By the end of the first consultation, we will discuss and agree on a pain-management programme designed for your needs. This discussion will include the nature of the therapy (e.g. activities, processes, techniques) and the number of sessions likely to be needed. This therapy plan is subject to change if necessary.

In addition, recommendations may be made regarding referral to other members of the interdisciplinary team. The best pain management programme involves coordinated care and communication between team members!

Pain Management sessions (Available via virtual consultation)

Evidence-based nonpharmacological approaches to pain management are used to educate and equip you to better manage your pain and related symptoms going forward.

These approaches may include:

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE).
Graded Exposure to activities.
Sleep hygiene.
CBT-based and Mindfulness-based interventions.
Activity-scheduling, pacing and task-simplification.
Stress management and other life-skills training.
Sensory regulation
Environmental and activity modifications
Family education and support
Employer education/consultation

It is helpful to attend consistently as a sense of momentum builds and change is easier to initiate and maintain this way.

Family/Partner Session (30 min- 1 hour) (Available via virtual consultation)

Sometimes it can be helpful to include a session with your significant other/s in the therapy plan. This is usually an education-focussed session to help your partner or family members understand your challenges and facilitate appropriate support from them.

NB: Family or couples therapy is not within the scope of my practice

Regarding Confidentiality

My consultations with you are confidential.

I will not divulge information given to me by you, the client, to any other person, unless:

I am given your permission to communicate with other health professionals about issues pertaining to your case e.g. referring you.
When you have committed or communicated a serious intention to harm yourself or others.
I am required to do so in the course of a police investigation.
I am required to answer questions in Court having been told by the court to give evidence.
In any case where failure to give information would lead to my conviction.
For medical aid purposes i.e. I am requested to supply a diagnosis for the sake of processing your claim. If you prefer not to have this diagnosis recorded on your account, please let me know by ticking the box. Note: This may, however, prevent your claim from being reimbursed.

I will inform you if a need to breach confidentiality (as described above) arises.

Regarding fees and payments:

All fees are charged at Discovery Health rates.
Fees are due on receipt of emailed invoices – You pay the practice first and then claim back from your medical aid.
Fees can be paid via EFT.
Interest may be charged at the prime interest rate should the account be overdue.
Therapy will be discontinued, and feedback/reports withheld, if the account is overdue.
Appointments not kept or not cancelled 24 hours in advance, will be billed for. These will be reflected on your account as “Appointment Not Kept” and will, therefore, not be reimbursed by the Medical Aid if you choose to claim for accounts.

Fibromyalgia

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Depression, Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Relational and Work Stress

What To Expect From Your Sessions