Emma Jackson

I have spent the last 14 years working in mental health settings, including Child, Adolescent and Family work, Mothers and Babies unit, and more recently working with adults in workplace support. 

After a traumatic event, all sorts of life domains and activities can be affected. Sleep, work, relationships, routines, even doing the shopping or keeping on top of the washing can become a challenge. Occupational Therapists (OTs) have a holistic, dynamic and strategic outlook, and can work with individuals to create goals around and achieve the following:

  • Sensory regulation: Trauma can disrupt sensory processing, which can make everyday activities difficult or even intolerable. OTs can help develop supportive strategies and environments to support everyday participation.

  • Energy conservation: PTSD (post-traumatic-stress-disorder) can have you feeling depleted, numb and even physically unwell. OTs can help you create a plan about how to manage and spend your energy wisely, according to your needs, obligations and values. 

  • Emotional regulation: OTs can teach and reinforce practical strategies that you will be working on with your lead therapist for managing difficult emotions and promoting self-soothing while looking at the whole picture to determine where other changes can be made to support emotional regulation. 

  • Routine and structure: Re-establishing daily routines can be incredibly difficult after a traumatic event. OTs can help rebuild these routines in a safe and manageable way.

  • Social participation and community engagement: Sometimes getting out of the house can be scary after a traumatic event, leading to isolation. OTs can help individuals rebuild confidence in social situations and devise a plan with you to work safely towards engaging in your world again.

  • Sleep improvement: Sleep disturbances are common after trauma. OTs can offer strategies for improving sleep.

  • Everyday activities: Trauma can make doing everyday tasks more challenging. OTs can work with you to devise strategies to get you going again.

Email: emma@emmajackson.nz

AH Occupational TherapistGuest User