Why an Occupational Lens: Beyond Therapy — Supporting Functioning & Daily Life

At DivergentSelf we view mental health, neurodivergence, and wellbeing through the lens of occupation — that is: what people do in their daily lives (their “occupations”), how those activities support identity, autonomy and life functioning, and what may be getting in the way.

  • As occupational therapists (OTs), we do not only focus on symptoms or diagnostic labels — we look at how emotional, cognitive, sensory or relational difficulties impact a person’s ability to function and engage in meaningful life tasks, roles and routines (work/study, relationships, self‑care, community, creative or leisure activities).

  • Approaches like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) bring powerful tools for processing trauma, dysregulation, parts‑work, and internal conflicts. When these are integrated with OT thinking, the therapeutic process becomes more than internal healing — it becomes a bridge back to improved everyday functioning, participation, and quality of life.

  • Likewise, neurodivergent coaching and coaching-style support are not “extra add-ons,” but are part of a coherent occupational therapy model: they help individuals build strategies, self‑understanding and environmental adaptations so their neurodivergence becomes a source of strength rather than a barrier.

Thus, the work isn’t just therapy — it is rehabilitation/enablement, guided by occupational theory, aiming to restore or build functioning, participation and subjective wellbeing.

How Outcomes Are Measured — Using ReQoL‑10

To ensure that the work we do has real, measurable impact on your life and functioning, we use the ReQoL‑10 as an outcome measure.

  • ReQoL‑10 is a validated tool for measuring recovery and quality of life: it captures wellbeing, mental health, functioning and subjective life satisfaction.

  • By regularly administering ReQoL‑10 (e.g. at baseline, periodically during work, and at key review points), we can track quantitative change over time — not only symptom reduction, but meaningful improvements in daily living, participation, sense of self, and overall quality of life.

  • These metrics help both you and me (as clinician / OT) to reflect on progress, adjust goals, and support transparent, evidence‑informed practice.

Using an outcomes‑focused measure like ReQoL‑10 aligns with modern best practice for mental health and rehabilitation services: it underscores that the aim is not only to “feel better,” but to “live better.”

Professional, Ethical & Regulatory Framework — HCPC & RCOT Compliance

Because I am a registered occupational therapist with HCPC and a member of RCOT, all my practice follows the relevant regulatory and professional standards. These include:

  • Meeting the standards of proficiency required by HCPC for occupational therapists: practising “safely and effectively within my scope of practice,” applying professional judgement, understanding the limits of my competencies, and referring or collaborating when appropriate. HCPC+1

  • Ensuring that any intervention I deliver (whether OT, coaching, EMDR or IFS‑informed) is within my competence: as per RCOT’s guidance on scope of occupational therapy practice. If any activity lies outside my current competencies or requires specialisation, I commit to appropriate referral or collaboration. rcot.co.uk+1

  • Upholding the combined Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice, Conduct and Ethics as defined by RCOT — ensuring dignity, respect, consent, safeguarding, client autonomy, confidentiality, and evidence‑informed, inclusive practice. rcot.co.uk+1

  • Engaging in continuing professional development (CPD), reflective practice and regular supervision, in order to maintain competence, update skills, and ensure high‑quality care across all modalities (OT, EMDR, coaching). HCPC+2Local Government Association+2

By situating therapeutic and coaching approaches within this formal OT regulatory and ethical framework, I ensure that what I offer remains lawful, safe, effective, and professionally accountable.

Integrating EMDR, IFS & Coaching Within OT: A Coherent, Person‑Centred Model

Here’s a simplified description of how a session path or package might work, combining different modalities under an occupational therapy umbrella:

Phase / FocusWhat HappensOccupational‑Lens / Function Focus

Assessment & Occupational ProfileUnderstand person’s history, neurodivergence, trauma, daily life patterns, strengths/needs, roles, routines, environmentIdentify occupational performance issues, participation restrictions, barriers / supports in context of everyday life

Stabilisation / Regulation / Parts Work (IFS‑informed / EMDR‑informed)Work to process trauma, parts, internal conflicts, dysregulation or distress. Reduce internal interference so person can function more effectively in daily life (cognitive, emotional, relational)

Skill / Strategy / Coaching Work (neurodivergent coaching + OT adaptation)Build strategies, self‑management, environmental adaptations, executive‑function supports, sensory / neurodivergent accommodations, routinesEnable sustainable function, improved participation and quality of life — not just symptom relief

Goal Setting & Functional Outcomes (measured via ReQoL‑10, functional review)Set meaningful life goals (work, relationships, self‑care, leisure), review progress, adjust interventions. Focus on observable functioning and life participation, not only internal mental health outcomes

Maintenance, Reflection & Ongoing Support- Provide follow‑up, coaching, OT support, plan for relapse or future challenges. Ensure long‑term sustainability of functional improvements and autonomy, embed adaptive habits / environment

This model ensures that therapy (EMDR/IFS) and coaching/adaptation (OT & neurodivergent coaching) are not separate silos — but part of a unified, occupation‑centred approach to enhancing functioning and wellbeing.

Supervision, Governance & Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

To ensure safe, ethical, effective practice — especially when blending modalities — I commit to the following supervision and governance framework:

  • Regular professional supervision in line with standards expected of OTs: as per guidance from RCOT/HCPC, supervision supports reflection, accountability, professional development and safe scope-of-practice decisions. Local Government Association+1

  • Ongoing CPD: keeping up to date with emerging evidence, trauma‑informed practice, neurodiversity-informed coaching, occupational therapy research, and therapeutic modalities. This ensures the work remains evidence‑informed and responsive to best practice. HCPC+1

  • Ethical, person‑centred, informed‑consent based: ensuring clients are full partners in the planning and consent process, aware of what each modality involves, what is within my scope, and what outcomes we aim for (including functional outcomes and use of ReQoL‑10). This aligns with RCOT professional standards of conduct and ethics. rcot.co.uk+1

  • Clarity about scope of practice: recognizing that if a particular therapeutic intervention (e.g. EMDR) lies outside the usual remit for OT, I will only deliver it insofar as I am competent, properly trained, supervised, and insured — or otherwise refer appropriately. This aligns with HCPC’s expectations that practitioners “practise within their scope of practice” and “recognise limits of their practice.” HCPC+1

What This Means for Clients: A Transparent, Holistic & Functional‑Focus Service

By combining therapeutic modalities (EMDR, IFS), coaching, neurodivergent‑affirming OT, and functional outcome measurement (ReQoL‑10) within a regulated occupational therapy framework, clients get:

  • A holistic, personalised approach — not just symptom‑focused therapy, but support for real-world functioning, identity, neurodivergent strengths and challenges.

  • Clear goals tied to daily life and participation — whether that’s work, relationships, self‑care, creative expression or community engagement.

  • Accountability and professionalism — regulated under HCPC and guided by RCOT standards, with supervision and CPD ensuring safe and effective practice.

  • Measurable progress — through regular use of outcome tools like ReQoL‑10, to monitor real change in quality of life, functioning and wellbeing.

Back to Home