Welcome to Beyond Barriers, Navigating Health and Function, a new podcast from the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists. The Society of Alberta Occupation...
Rehabilitation and Independence: The Role of Occupational Therapy with Neilin Moledina
In this episode of Beyond Barriers: An Occupational Therapy Podcast, host Pam Hung sits down with Neilin Moledina, an experienced occupational therapist specializing in inpatient adult rehabilitation. Together, they explore the pivotal role of occupational therapy in helping clients rebuild independence and adapt to life transitions following spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions.Neilin provides an in-depth look at how occupational therapy empowers clients to overcome physical, cognitive, and environmental challenges through strategies like transfer training, adaptive equipment, and creative problem-solving. She shares stories of collaboration with families and healthcare teams, illustrating how occupational therapy fosters holistic care that addresses every facet of a client’s life.Listeners will gain valuable insights into the real-world impact of occupational therapy, from enabling clients to safely navigate their homes to supporting them in returning to work or recreational pursuits. This episode offers inspiration and practical knowledge about how occupational therapy transforms lives by focusing on functional goals and individualized care.Whether you're a healthcare professional, a student, or someone curious about the transformative power of occupational therapy, this conversation with Neilin Moledina is a must-listen.
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41:43
Bridging Gaps: Community-Based Occupational Therapy with Catharine Eckersley
In this episode of Beyond Barriers: An Occupational Therapy Podcast, host Pam Hung sits down with Catharine Eckersley, a private-practice occupational therapist based in Calgary, Alberta. Catharine shares her passion for community-based occupational therapy, offering a glimpse into her hands-on approach to empowering clients to overcome challenges and achieve their goals in real-world environments.Catharine dives into the diverse applications of occupational therapy, from addressing physical and cognitive challenges to supporting mental health and life transitions. By working directly in clients’ homes and workplaces, she uncovers hidden barriers and develops creative, practical solutions tailored to their unique needs.Listeners will hear inspiring examples of how Catharine collaborates with healthcare teams, families, and community organizations to connect clients with essential resources, advocate for their needs, and foster independence. Through her stories, she illustrates the vital role of occupational therapy in improving quality of life and enabling meaningful participation in daily activities.This episode is perfect for anyone curious about occupational therapy, exploring a career in the field, or seeking to better understand its transformative potential. Join us to discover how OTs like Catharine Eckersley make a difference, one life at a time.
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30:52
Supporting Neurodivergent Children Through Occupational Therapy with Camille Bailey
In this episode of Beyond Barriers: An Occupational Therapy Podcast, host Pam Hung speaks with Camille Bailey, a pediatric occupational therapist and owner of Sensory Solutions Occupational Therapy Incorporated. Based in Parkland County, Alberta, Camille leads a multidisciplinary team that focuses on providing neurodiversity-affirming care to children and their families.Camille shares her journey into occupational therapy and explains how her practice helps children navigate sensory challenges, transitions, and meaningful activities. With a focus on adapting environments and fostering collaboration with families and schools, Camille emphasizes the importance of empowering children to embrace their unique characteristics and achieve their goals.Listeners will gain insights into the holistic nature of occupational therapy, including real-world examples such as supporting families in planning sensory-friendly community outings or preparing children for big milestones like airplane travel. Camille’s inspiring stories highlight the creative and client-centered approaches OTs use to promote engagement, participation, and well-being.This episode is perfect for parents, educators, and anyone curious about the transformative role of occupational therapy in pediatric care. Join us as Camille Bailey showcases how OTs make a difference—one child at a time.
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29:06
Mental Health Matters: How OTs Help Clients Thrive with Logan McColl
In this episode of Beyond Barriers: An Occupational Therapy Podcast, host Pam Hung sits down with Logan McColl, a private-practice occupational therapist specializing in mental health in Edmonton, Alberta. Logan shares his unique approach to blending the internal and external aspects of occupational therapy, providing holistic care to clients across the lifespan.Logan delves into how occupational therapy supports individuals facing challenges like anxiety, stress, and life transitions. From adapting environments and developing routines to teaching cognitive and body regulation strategies, Logan emphasizes the versatility of occupational therapists in empowering clients to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.This conversation highlights the critical role of occupational therapy in bridging the gap between psychological and functional health. Logan’s stories include working with professionals managing workplace stress, adolescents navigating identity and self-worth, and individuals rebuilding their lives after setbacks. His client-centered approach demonstrates how occupational therapy can transform lives by addressing both mental health and practical day-to-day functioning.Whether you’re a healthcare professional, someone interested in occupational therapy, or curious about mental health, this episode offers valuable insights into how OTs like Logan McColl help clients thrive. Tune in to explore the power of function-focused care!
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Supporting Independence in Long-Term Care: Insights from Michelle Palmer
In this episode of Beyond Barriers: An Occupational Therapy Podcast, host Pam Hung speaks with Michelle Palmer, an occupational therapist working in private practice and continuing care in Lethbridge, Alberta. Michelle shares her experiences addressing service gaps in long-term care, where she focuses on empowering residents to maintain independence and dignity while navigating challenges such as mobility, cognitive decline, and everyday living activities.Michelle discusses how occupational therapy plays a vital role in supporting residents, from prescribing mobility aids and adaptive equipment to advocating for person-centered care. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with families and staff, addressing barriers with creative problem-solving, and finding meaningful ways for residents to engage in daily activities.This insightful conversation highlights the unique contributions of occupational therapists in long-term care settings, showcasing how personalized interventions and a holistic approach can improve quality of life for residents. Whether you're an OT professional, a caregiver, or someone interested in healthcare, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the transformative power of occupational therapy in continuing care.
About Beyond Barriers: An Occupational Therapy Podcast
Welcome to Beyond Barriers, Navigating Health and Function, a new podcast from the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists. The Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists is a non-regulatory organization that promotes networking, education and advocacy opportunities for its members. This podcast is hosted by occupational therapists living in Alberta and is intended to get listeners excited about the wonderful world of OT.
Occupational therapists promote participation in everyday activities that are important to people, whether that means working with people to problem solve, to find new ways to do daily tasks after an injury, navigate life transitions and day to day living, or they may help people to make adjustments in their space or their home to improve accessibility.
These are just a few ways that occupational therapists support health and well-being. Whether you are an OT, health practitioner, or would just like to learn more about the fascinating field of occupational therapy, this podcast is for you. Join us to hear about all the ways occupational therapists work with people to promote health and well-being through participating in meaningful life activities.
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