Occupational Therapy
What is Occupational Therapy?
This health service primarily aims to assist individuals experiencing health difficulties (physical or mental) that limit them in performing essential activities of their daily and professional lives. The occupational therapist will provide simple and tailored therapeutic tools to each environmental reality, to maximize the functional status of their clients in the following areas:
- Physical abilities
- Emotional abilities
- Cognitive abilities (memory, concentration)
Our Services
Mental Health
Occupational therapy in mental health will provide concrete and easy-to-integrate tools that will help you better understand your body, improve your daily functioning, and help you regain a better life balance for your health.
Occupational therapy care begins with an assessment that will allow us to get to know the client and identify their challenges in order to build a personalized intervention plan.
Ergonomics
Workplace ergonomics is an important aspect that ensures safety, injury prevention, and/or the adaptation of work tasks to existing issues.
Our occupational therapists can visit your workplace to evaluate your tasks and work station. This will allow them to make on-site ergonomic adjustments and recommend equipment tailored to your needs.
Driving Assessment
Following a health issue and/or from a certain age, the SAAQ may require an assessment to ensure you remain safe on the road. This evaluation process can be quite worrisome and stressful; our occupational therapists will accompany you step by step to ensure everything goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
The assessment is conducted in two separate sessions.
1) The first consultation is a 2-hour assessment that takes place in the comfort of your home. The occupational therapist will evaluate the physical and cognitive abilities required for driving.
2) The second session is a road evaluation lasting 45 to 60 minutes, accompanied by a driving instructor and the occupational therapist. The objective of this test is to assess your technical skills, your ability to operate the vehicle, your driving strategies, your behavior on the road, and your compliance with the Highway Safety Code.
Home Security
Loss of autonomy is a concern for individual safety, especially when it comes to living alone at home. Whether it is for you or a loved one, our occupational therapists can propose options and adaptations to ensure long-term maintenance of this safety.
During the meeting with the occupational therapist, a comprehensive assessment including a site visit, evaluation of the individual's needs, expectations, and preferences, will allow for a complete picture of their level of autonomy and recommend solutions to enhance safety.
Did you know?
Falls are the leading cause of injuries among seniors in Canada. It is estimated that each year, between 20 and 30% of elderly people are victims of falls. The majority of injuries occur at home: for seniors, it is where 50% of injuries take place.
Questions and Answers
What does an occupational therapist actually do?
An occupational therapist is a healthcare professional who evaluates and treats the difficulties a person experiences in carrying out daily and work-related activities. Their role is to identify barriers to functioning—whether physical, cognitive, or emotional—and intervene to help the person regain autonomy and quality of life.
What is the difference between an occupational therapist and a psychologist?
Occupational therapists and psychologists both work in mental health, but from different perspectives. A psychologist focuses primarily on psychological processes, emotions, and behaviors. An occupational therapist, on the other hand, focuses on the practical impact these difficulties have on daily functioning: sleep, energy, organization, emotional regulation, and everyday activities. The two approaches are complementary.
How can occupational therapy help with mental health?
Mental health difficulties—whether anxiety, depression, burnout, or any other condition affecting functioning—often have a practical impact on daily life: energy management, organizing the day, relationships, work, and sleep. Occupational therapists work specifically on these impacts. They help people better understand how they function, recognize early warning signs, and develop practical tools: emotional regulation, calming strategies, daily structure, and energy management. The goal is to restore a healthier life balance in a gradual and realistic way.
Can occupational therapy help me return to work?
Yes, this is one of our areas of expertise at BECA Santé. The occupational therapist supports the individual through every stage of the process: understanding what led to the leave, identifying barriers to returning, developing appropriate tools, and planning a gradual and realistic return. The goal is a sustainable return to work, not a rushed one.
Who is occupational therapy at BECA Santé for?
Our occupational therapy services are intended for individuals experiencing difficulties related to mental health, daily organization, energy management, or workplace functioning. We support both people on leave from work and those who want to better understand how they function and develop practical strategies to improve their quality of life. Our services are available in Mascouche and throughout the Lanaudière, Lower Laurentians, and Laval regions.
Why combine occupational therapy and kinesiology?
The two disciplines naturally complement each other. The occupational therapist works on overall functioning: understanding difficulties, developing strategies, and restructuring daily life. The kinesiologist focuses on physical activation and its therapeutic effects on mental and physical health. Together, they provide coordinated and consistent care that addresses both functional barriers and progressive reconditioning. This combination often leads to the most sustainable results.
How does occupational therapy care at BECA Santé work?
Care begins with a comprehensive initial assessment to build an overall picture of your functioning: physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities, as well as your needs and life context. Based on this evaluation, a personalized intervention plan is developed. Subsequent sessions focus on teaching practical tools, developing strategies adapted to your reality, and monitoring your progress toward your goals.