What is Occupational Therapy, and is DiscoverWE Occupational Therapy right for me?

In one line: what Occupational Therapy is, how DiscoverWE approaches practice, and some questions to help you decide if it might suit you.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Occupational Therapy is a profession name, like many, that does not quite explain itself. People often assume it is about jobs or work. Some have met an Occupational Therapist in hospital, or at school. Others have never heard of it at all.

We will explore a little more about what it is, and how it looks at DiscoverWE.

What Occupational Therapy is

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists describes Occupational Therapy as:

"Occupational therapy promotes health and wellbeing by supporting participation in meaningful occupations that people want, need, or are expected to do." (WFOT, 2026)

Occupational Therapy Australia defines Occupational Therapy as:

"Occupational therapy is a person-centred approach to help individuals participate in activities they find meaningful. This could be taking care of yourself or others, working, volunteering, and participating in hobbies, interests and social events that bring personal or professional fulfilment." (as published by WFOT, 2026)

In Occupational Therapy, occupation refers to more than work. It covers all the things you do in a day that occupy your time: getting ready, eating, resting, working or studying, looking after a home, sharing time with people, being in nature, and the things you do just because you like them.

In simpler words: Occupational Therapy looks at the fit between you, the things you want or need to do, and the places you do them in.

More than doing

Occupational Therapists often describe occupation as four connected parts: doing, being, becoming and belonging (Hitch & Pepin, 2026). The ideas come from Occupational Therapy writers, including Ann Wilcock.

  • Doing is actioning the things you like, want or need to do.
  • Being is how it feels, and who you are, while you are doing them.
  • Becoming is who you are growing into over time.
  • Belonging is the people and places where you feel you fit.

Sometimes the most meaningful change is in the doing. Sometimes it is in how you feel while you do it, in where you would like to head, or in finding where you belong. All four count.

A coaching approach

At DiscoverWE, Occupational Therapy is offered as coaching.

That means I will not hand you a list of things you 'should do'. Instead, I recognise you are the expert on your own life, and you already know a lot about what works for you, even if it has not yet been named.

We work it out together:

  • We start with what you would like to be different in your day to day.
  • We notice what is already working, even a little.
  • We 'deep dive' to understand what matters to you, so the steps fit your values.
  • We choose one small step to try, sized for where you are right now.
  • We look at what happened, and adjust from there.

I bring questions, ideas and professional knowledge. You bring your lived experience. The choices stay yours.

In plain words: coaching means we work collaboratively as partners. I do not tell you what to do.

Is DiscoverWE right for me?

Only you can decide that, and there is no wrong answer. These questions might help you consider more about it.

DiscoverWE may suit you if:

  • You are neurodivergent, or wonder if you might be.
  • You would like to understand how you work, and what might help.
  • You are curious about changing the conditions around a task, not only how hard you try.
  • You would like to choose your own goals and steps.
  • Online appointments work for you.

DiscoverWE may not be the right fit if:

  • You are looking for someone to tell you exactly what to do.
  • You need in-person support.
  • Your primary focus is on accessing complex assistive technology or home modifications.
  • You need urgent or crisis support (please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or call 000 in an emergency).
A concept map outlining DiscoverWE fit presenting the lists visually

If you are still unsure, that is a fine place to be. You can read more about the approach, see what is on offer, or send a question through Connect.

Alternatively, you can explore other Occupational Therapist options via Occupational Therapy Australia's find an OT site

An idea to think on (optional): what is one part of your day you would like to feel a little different? Is it about:

  • What you do?
  • How it feels?
  • Where you are heading?
  • Who you are doing it with, or alongside?
  • Where you belong?

Is there something that feels doable that you might try today?

Thank you for being here.

References

Wilcock, A. A. (2006). An occupational perspective of health (2nd ed.). Slack.

WFOT. (2026). About Occupational Therapy. https://wfot.org/about/about-occupational-therapy

WFOT. (2026, May). Definition of Occupational Therapy in Australia. https://wfot.org/member-organisations/australia-occupational-therapy-australia

These writings and blog posts are general in nature and are not therapeutic advice. They do not substitute for professional services. For support and strategies specific to your circumstances, please contact and discuss your needs with an appropriately qualified professional.