Getting Started with OT
Occupations are how you "occupy" your time including classes, research, sleep, leisure, self-care, and more!
Popular topics include:
- Time management and productivity
- Planning and organization
- Study and learning strategies
- Procrastination and low motivation
- Getting better sleep
- Building healthy habits
Occupational therapy focuses on:
- Implementing practical strategies
- Finding routines that work for you
- Feeling capable about what you do
An occupational therapist offers guidance by:
- Creating beneficial habits and routines
- Implementing data-driven strategies to meet your goals
- Setting realistic goals
A counselor, on the other hand, can help you:
- Learn how to cope with stressful situations and difficult emotions
- Become more flexible and responsive in how you see yourself and others
- Understand yourself better
What we have in common:
- Individualized and client-centered
- Scientifically driven, evidence-based
- Defined goals
Remember, you are not limited to one therapy or the other. You may utilize both services to address the same problem as the different frameworks and methodologies of each profession can complement each other. We encourage students to take advantage of all the resources Caltech has to offer!
We highly recommend that students new to occupational therapy enroll in the OT Foundations Canvas course and review the material. This resource offers self-paced modules on frequently requested topics, including:
- Stress and time management
- Getting better sleep
- Building better habits
These modules provide foundational information and practical tools that students have consistently found beneficial. Each module is equivalent to a single occupational therapy session or its corresponding workshop. You may find that completing these modules and implementing the strategies is sufficient to help you achieve your goals. You can also use the Canvas Inbox feature to message Grace Wong, the occupational therapist, for any questions about the material.
By reviewing the OT Foundations material in advance, you can optimize your individual meetings, dedicating more time to developing customized strategies that align with your daily habits and routines.
Making an Appointment
Occupational therapy meetings are currently available through Zoom only. Individual OT meetings can expand upon the information covered in OT Foundations. Meetings are focused on collaboratively identifying strategies and plans that fit your personal goals, habits, and routines.
Online
- Log onto the Student Health Portal.
- Select Appointments.
- Select Schedule an Appointment and Productivity and Habits with OT when prompted.
Phone
Call (626) 395-8331 to request an appointment during business hours.
In-Person
Visit 1239 Arden Rd. (Student Wellness Services South) during business hours.
What to Expect
Please check the Appointments section of your Student Health Portal on the day of your appointment. Click the "Appointment Check In" button found underneath your appointment details and complete any forms as prompted. At the time of your appointment, click the "Join Meeting" link. You may need to refresh the page.
Goal Design and Planning Session (50 minutes)
- Discuss goals for OT
- Review relevant strategies from OT Foundations
- Explore modifications to strategies to help meet goals
Follow-up OT Session (50 minutes)
- Check-in to review progress
- Reflect on and troubleshoot strategies as needed
- Discuss additional topics and strategies to sustain healthy change