Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on June 24, 2024Occupational therapists focus on daily activities that make life meaningful—sleep, school, work, social roles—they can help you translate insight into tangible routines. If you want practical, action-oriented strategies for anxiety, depression, trauma, or serious mental illness, an OT can be a powerful ally. This article will help you understand if working with an occupational therapist is right for you.
Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), Occupational Therapist, Nutritionist
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Jada Lynn is a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) in undefined, undefined. They treat Chronic Illness/Pain, College and School Placement, Burnout.
The team at EZ Pups was great! At first I was apprehensive to do board and train because it is sometimes expensive and also results may vary once they get
Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW), Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Nurse, Primary Care Physician, Psychiatrist, Pre-Licensed Professional, Peer Support, Psychologist, Physician Assistant, Pastoral Counselor, Psychotherapist, Other, Occupational Therapist, Nurse Psychotherapist, Registered Dietitian, Nurse Practitioner, Neuropsychologist, Nutritionist, National Certified Counselor (NCC)
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Gala Thomson is a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) in Topeka, Kansas. They treat Abuse, Borderline Personality, Binge-Eating Disorder.
ZIP code 64102 is located in northwest Missouri and covers an extremely small land area compared to other ZIP codes in the United States. Populatio_
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Mindstrong therapist is a Occupational Therapist in Plano, Texas. They treat Drug Use, Anorexia Nervosa, Personality Disorders.
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Neuropsychologist, Nutritionist, Occupational Therapist
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Occupational Therapist, Other, Primary Care Physician
300 College Avenue, Los Gatos, California 95030
Tim Shwaiger is a Occupational Therapist in Los Gatos, California. They treat Infertility, Insomnia, Infidelity.
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Nutritionist, Occupational Therapist, Other, Nurse Psychotherapist, Pastoral Counselor, Peer Support, Physician Assistant, Pre-Licensed Professional, Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Physician, Psychiatric Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatrist
4703 North Highland Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64116
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Occupational therapy services for behavioral health include:
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) guidelines recognize OTs as qualified mental-health professionals, case managers, and group facilitators across the lifespan.
| Step | National standard | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited degree | Master’s or doctoral program accredited by ACOTE | Guarantees evidence-based coursework in mental health and research |
| NBCOT exam | Pass the OTR (therapist) or COTA (assistant) exam and maintain good standing | Confirms competence and continuing-education every three years |
| State license | All 50 states plus D.C. require licensure and background checks | Lets you verify status through an online board lookup |
Some practitioners pursue Board Certification in Mental Health (BCMH)—a voluntary credential requiring three years’ experience and 3,000 mental-health hours. Seeing “OTR/L, BCMH” on a profile signals advanced expertise.
Licensure rules come from state law, so practice parameters—such as referral rights or supervision ratios—vary. To simplify cross-state care, 29 states have enacted the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. The Compact Commission will begin issuing multi-state privileges later in 2025; until then, your therapist must hold a license where you sit for each session.
Demand for virtual occupational therapist visits exploded during the pandemic. Congress and CMS responded by adding OTs to the list of practitioners who can bill Medicare telehealth through December 31 2025, with a proposed permanent rule under review. Commercial insurers typically follow Medicare’s lead, but policies differ by state. cms.gov/mocs.govota.gov
Telehealth occupational therapist sessions can cover:
If you prefer on-screen support, search directories filtering for online occupational therapist or telehealth occupational therapist to see who is licensed in your state.
| Payer | Mental-health coverage for OT | Key actions |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial / Marketplace plans | Subject to Mental Health Parity; check copay vs. medical copay, session caps, and telehealth rate | Call member services or use portal before booking |
| Medicaid | All states reimburse OT, but mental-health billing codes and rates differ; some states require prior auth for community behavioral-health sites | Ask the clinic whether they accept your plan |
| Medicare | OTs can furnish outpatient and telehealth services under Part B; the 2025 rule streamlines certification and extends telehealth flexibilities | Verify the therapist is enrolled as a Medicare provider |
| Private pay / sliding scale | Typical rates run $90–$180 for 50-minute sessions; many OTs reserve reduced-fee slots | Request a Good-Faith Estimate up front |
Tip: If every in-network OT has a wait list longer than 10 business days, ask your insurer for a network-adequacy override so you can see an out-of-network clinician at in-network rates.
| Topic | Example state variations | What to ask your OT |
|---|---|---|
| Referral requirements | Some states (e.g., NY) need a physician order for outpatient OT; others are direct-access | “Do I need a doctor’s script before we start?” |
| Reimbursement rates | Medicaid pays 110% of psychologist rates in MN but only 70% in TX | “Do you take my state Medicaid, and what is the copay?” |
| Telehealth parity | CA law requires telehealth OT be reimbursed the same as in-person; FL allows market-rate negotiation | “Will my share of cost differ for video visits?” |
| Scope for psychosocial diagnosis | OT Acts in IL and MA explicitly authorize mental-health evaluation; a few states still limit diagnosis to OTs with advanced training | “Can you officially diagnose, or will you coordinate with another provider?” |
| Dimension | Occupational Therapist (OT) | Psychologist | Licensed Professional Counselor / Clinical Social Worker | Psychiatrist / Psychiatric NP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core training & credential | Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy services; NBCOT-certified (OTR/L) | Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology | Master’s in counseling (LPC) or social work (LCSW) | Medical degree (MD/DO) or advanced nursing degree |
| Primary focus | Restoring or enhancing the daily activities (occupations) that give life meaning—self-care, work, school, social roles | Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral assessment & psychotherapy | Talk therapy, case management, community resources | Diagnosing and prescribing psychotropic medication |
| Typical interventions | Activity-based skills training, sensory-modulation, executive-function coaching, ergonomic & environmental modifications | Psychotherapy (CBT, DBT, psychodynamic), psychological testing | Psychotherapy, care coordination, crisis intervention | Medication management, brief therapy, medical monitoring |
| Outcome measures | Functional independence in ADLs/IADLs, role competence, participation levels | Symptom reduction, cognitive change, test scores | Symptom reduction, coping-skill acquisition, social functioning | Symptom stabilization, side-effect management |
| Insurance coding | OT evaluation & treatment codes; billed as rehab or mental-health service depending on setting | Psychotherapy & testing CPT codes | Psychotherapy CPT codes | E/M plus psychotherapy codes |
| Best when you need… | Practical, hands-on strategies to bridge insight → daily routine; support with sensory or executive challenges; home/work adaptations | Comprehensive psychological testing or in-depth psychotherapy | Low-barrier talk therapy or community-resource navigation | Medication or combined med-psych treatment for complex disorders |
Bottom line: An occupational therapist translates mental-health goals into concrete, everyday actions—think “How will I get out of bed, cook, study, or work tomorrow?” Psychologists and counselors focus primarily on insight-oriented or skills-based talk therapy, while psychiatrists manage the biological side through medication. Many people benefit from a team approach: an OT for functional change, a counselor for emotional processing, and a prescriber for medication, all coordinating care around your priorities.
Remember, recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive network, and the right professional care, you can overcome the challenges of Occupational Therapist and build a fulfilling life. We are here to help you find care.
