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Services

Service Offerings at Creative Therapy

Creative Therapy offers a broad range of Occupational Therapy based services to our clients.  We work with all age ranges from children to seniors and can help with a variety of physical and cognitive issues.  Navigating our web site menu of our most common services may identify something that fits your needs.  If you are not sure what you require or do not see something that quite resonates with you please feel to contact us by phone or email for a more thorough confidential discussion to see if there is something we can do or possibly point you in the right direction.

Contact us at 519-954-5026 or info@creativeot.com

By | | Services |

Post Concussion & OT

Occupational Therapy and the Management of Post Concussion Syndrome:

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people with the functional aspects of their everyday life. Persons with Post Concussion Syndrome often have challenges with completing their instrumental activities of daily living and returning to work. By working with an OT, the client begins to develop strategies to help them manage their symptoms and gradually return to their pre-accident activities.  During OT Sessions, we review the client’s Post Concussion Syndrome symptoms and then look at ways to help them manage their triggers. Below I have listed a number of common symptoms and the ways in which OT can help a person manage them. Each client comes with a specific set of symptoms and activities that they are struggling with on a daily basis, thus each section/recommendation is adapted for specifically for the client:

Pain/Headache Management

  • OT will review and educate around proper body mechanics when completing every day tasks, desk posture, and proper sleep posture
  • Relaxation strategies including breathing, use of eye pillow, and some gentle yoga poses that help decrease headaches and can be used on a daily basis are reviewed with the client.
  • Pacing strategies, are developed with the client to help prevent the onset or worsening of headaches. This includes looking at the typical daily tasks, helping the client to prioritize, include rest breaks and develop a plan to manage their symptoms. This is followed by developing a structured plan to gradually increase their endurances such that the client is able to tolerate more tasks without increasing their headache.
  • Participation in a yoga class for post concussion syndrome (designed and led by an Occupational Therapist) is often recommended.

Cognitive Strategies

(OT often works in conjunction with Speech and Language Therapists to help with the following symptoms)

  • Decreased Memory: OT reviews the appropriate use of technology with alarms and reminders, and helps the client to develop systems to manage everyday items that get misplaced.
  • Decreased ability to keep organized: OT works closely with the client to develop strategies to help develop and then maintain an organizational system.
  • Reviewing everyday problems/challenges and work with the client to develop strategies to manage these challenges
  • Pacing strategies (as cognitive work can increase headaches): OT works with client to prioritize and pace cognitive activities to help minimize headaches. OT then works to gradually increase cognitive endurance through meaningful activity.
  • Time Management strategies-OT works, recommends appropriate technology that meets the client needs and then works with the client to allow the client to develop specific time management strategies

 

Vision

  • OT works with Binocular Vision Optometrist/Physiotherapist and helps to support the client with Binocular vision and/or balance exercises
  • Visual Processing: OT’s assess client’s visual perceptual skills and works with the client to make accommodations in everyday life and complete activities to promote improved visual processing skills.
  • Recommend wearing sunglasses to help with photosensitivity (sensitivity to bright lights)

Noise Sensitivity

Client’s often report hyperacusis (a disorder of noise perception in which clients report being overly sensitive to a range of sounds). OT works with client to develop a noise sensitivity plan as follows:

  • OT works with the client to develop a plan to gradually improve cognitive endurance when there is background noise

Sleep Hygiene

  • OT works with client to help develop an appropriate individualized sleep routine
  • OT reviews strategies to help fall asleep and return to sleep after waking
  • OT reviews the sleep routine with the client and helps guide the client to make adapt the sleep routine if required.

Return to Work/School

  • OT works with the client and other team members to help the client gradually improve their physical and cognitive endurances
  • OT can help develop a client specific graduated return to work/school plan and make recommendations around work/school accommodations that can allow for a successful return to work/school
  • OT can act as an advocate to and help education the workplace or school around the client’s specific needs as related to the clients return to work/school

 

For more details on how an Occupational Therapist can help manage Post concussion symptoms, please feel free to email Sheri Martin Soosaar at Creative Therapy Health Services or call  (519) 954-5026.

By | | Articles, Services |

Volunteering

Volunteering at Creative Therapy

Creative Therapy welcomes and appreciates student volunteers to help with events that are run at our clinic.  Students interested in volunteering are encouraged to look at our web site for details about the events. If you can only participate for part of an event or, say, a half day of the PD Day camp that is fine, just let us know and we can schedule you accordingly.

What we require:

What we expect:

  • Prompt and committed
  • Communicate well in advance if you will not be able to participate
  • Appropriate attire for a therapy environment (ask if you are not sure)

How to apply:

Due to a high volume of requests and a limited number of positions available we may not be able to respond, but will do our best!  Please provide us with your details below….

Volunteer Application

 

Verification

 

By | | Careers |

Good Vibes Group

Good Vibes Group: “helping your child find their groove”

Creative Therapy is excited to offer  The Good Vibes Group. This group is an innovative program designed to promote listening skills, enhance your child’s co-ordination, and allow your child to develop an awareness of their sensory needs, all in a fun environment.  The group also provides an opportunity  for your child to work on their social skills and help build their confidence.  These benefits are achieved by utilising  power of Music Therapy combined with Occupational Therapy’s knowledge of how the body works and the sensory processing system is affected. The program will be designed with the specific needs of your child.

There is a study which specifically looks at the benefits of combined  Music Therapy and OT  and  the impact the self-regulation skills of children with acquired brain injury and other neurological impairments.  Read full text article: Music and Occupational Therapy.

Please contact us to find out more information and determine whether this program will be appropriate for your child.

The Nitty Gritties:

  • Ages: 6 and older
  • Dates: Tuesdays, January 14 to March 3
  • Time: 6:00 to 7:00 pm
  • Cost: $220 for the 8 session series
  • Online Registration
  • Location: Creative Therapy Health Services 136 Moore Ave. South Waterloo, ON.
  • For more information contact info@creativeot.com or call 519 954-5026 or visit creativeot.com
By | | Past Events |

Finding Dory PD Day Camp

Underwater Adventures: Finding Dory PD Day Camp

When: January 27, 2017

Where: Creative Therapy Health Services at 136 Moore Ave. South, Waterloo ON

Cost: $90 for the full day or $45 for a half day

Registration and Questions: You can pre-register online for this event or email info@creativeot.com or call 519-954-5026 to get your questions answered about whether this program is suitable for your child.

What Is It?:

This camp is designed to provide a break from winter weather and transport children to tropical under water themed activities! Like all the PD Day camps, we provide a fun and safe experience designed and led by an Occupational Therapist. Children work on a variety of fine and gross motor skills while developing appropriate social skills.

For information about all our upcoming camps please take a look at our 2016/17 schedule.

By | | Past Events |

Food Fighters 2017

Food Fighters – For Picky Eaters

New Session for 2017

When: Saturdays 10:15-11:15 AM January 14 to February 4

Where: Creative Therapy Health Services at 136 Moore Ave. South, Waterloo ON

Cost: $160 for the full 4 week session

Registration and Questions: You can pre-register online or email info@creativeot.com or call 519-954-5026 to get your questions answered about whether this program is suitable for your child.

What Is It?:

This is an Occupational Therapist led group designed to help your child combat their picky eating. This is achieved with a multi-faceted approach addressing oral motor sensitivities, proper oral motor control and anxiety. Of course at Creative Therapy we design our groups such that your child will have fun while reaching their goals by trying new foods.

By | | Past Events |

New Staff Join Creative Therapy

We are very excited to announce the addition of new staff to the already amazing people at Creative Therapy!

Kendra Leighton  may already be a familiar face to many as she had worked as an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Kendra Leightonat Creative Therapy several years ago.  She has since gone off, completed her Masters degree and is now a fully certified and registered Occupational Therapist.  Kendra brings a wealth of hands on experience with clients along with a a very calm and supportive personality.  She has been back at Creative Therapy since the summer of 2016.

 

 

Erin Moerman is the latest addition to the Creative Therapy team and joins us an

Erin Moerman

Occupational Therapy Assistant.  Erin brings a broad range of experience, energy and enthusiasm to Creative Therapy.  In addition to her work with clients she will also be helping us behind the scenes in the office to ensure the clinic operates smoothly.

 

Please say hello if you get a chance, they are very happy to get to know all the clients at Creative Therapy!

By | | News |

Food Fighters 2016

Food Fighters – For Picky Eaters

New Session for Late Fall 2016

When: Saturdays 10:15-11:15 AM November 26th and December 3rd, 10th and 17th.

Where: Creative Therapy Health Services at 136 Moore Ave. South, Waterloo ON

Cost: $160 for the full 4 week session

Registration and Questions: You can pre-register online or email info@creativeot.com or call 519-974-5026 to get your questions answered about whether this program is suitable for your child.

What Is It?:

This is an Occupational Therapist led group designed to help your child combat their picky eating. This is achieved with a multi-faceted approach addressing oral motor sensitivities, proper oral motor control and anxiety. Of course at Creative Therapy we design our groups such that your child will have fun while reaching their goals by trying new foods.

By | | fine motor |

Therapeutic Yoga and Mindfulness

Yoga and Mindfulness Class in Waterloo

This class is being taught on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM virtual online.  Please call, email or register in advance so we are adequately prepared for the number of participants

This class consists of a combination of the following:

  • Gentle range of motion exercises to release chronically tight muscles
  • Balance poses
  • Connecting breath with movement
  • Building body awareness
  • Developing a relaxation practice

During this class, we will also review helpful hints to manage your daily activities and ideas around improving sleep. Participants report that they can often take the relaxation and other lessons learned in the class and put them into practice in their everyday lives.

This class is taught by Sheri Martin Soosaar, Occupational Therapist.  The class sizes are kept small to allow the class to be designed to accommodate each individual’s needs. Please provide us with a list of your injuries, diseases and symptoms so that the class can be designed to meet your needs.

To get the most benefit out of this class it is recommended that you sign up for a 5 or 10 week block. This block can begin at any time.  The cost is $20 per class.

Please contact Sheri at sheri@creativeot.com or 519-954-5026  or our online registration form to register for this class.

By | | Classes, Services |