Sarah Good Occupational Therapy

04/01/2022

Opinion: Better access to mental health care may be the silver lining of COVID-19

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-better-access-to-mental-health-care-may-be-the-silver-lining-of-covid/

I love being able to offer mental health care online. And people rarely cancel their appointments and are getting great results. Good to see that research is backing this up.

Increased patient access to preferred, cost-effective and successful digital-video care for mental health may be the silver lining in the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic

02/17/2022

ACT in OT Action!

What is ACT and how does it fit into my work as an OT?
Find out what all the buzz is about when it comes to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and discover some tangible ways to integrate it into your OT Practice.

https://sarahgoodot.ca/p/act-in-ot-action

Lara is an Occupational Therapist with over 10 years of experience working in mental health and addictions within Ontario, Canada. She also owns and operates a private practice, Pelvic Resilience, focused on helping individuals struggling with pain and pelvic health challenges to get back to living....

10/01/2021

08/24/2021

Wellness Together Canada | Home

https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA

Check out the free mental health services available here for all Canadians:

Wellness Together Canada was created in response to an unprecedented rise in mental distress, and is funded by the Government of Canada. Whatever you’re going through, we’re here to provide mental health and substance use support.

08/16/2021

OT Online Side Hustle and Beyond Virtual Conference Sign Ups

Are you interested in developing an online part to your OT business?

I've learnt tons and gotten to connect with dozens of OTs through my online programs on mindfulness this year. While it is a side part of my business, I'm having an impact and generating income.

If this is something that you're interested in, please join us for the OT Online Side Hustle and Beyond event in September 2021. I'll be speaking sharing more about how I'm growing this part of my work.

https://www.telehealthotservices.com/a/2147489988/auzYGjEA

Learn about more than 15 ways to make money online from over 60 online creators & get started with your online revenue stream by Monday!

06/28/2021

We have another OT Day of Mindfulness coming up on July 16!

This time, there will be 6 OT Mindfulness teachers leading meditations followed by a discussion.

If you need the link to register, comment below.

06/02/2021

Building a mindfulness practice is best is some community support.

This FB group is a good place to start.

But would you benefit from more accountability? Regular live, group calls and meditations? A systematic approach with learning and builds on previous content?

If so, it's time to join The Mindfulness Community of Practice. Registration is open until Friday.

Comment below for the link!

05/31/2021

Free Resources

I've created a new, free video for occupational therapists who want simple, short mindfulness exercises to use with their clients (or for themselves).

You can access the video by visiting:
https://sarahgoodot.ca/p/free-resources

Free resources

05/24/2021

Photos from Sarah Good Occupational Therapy's post

04/28/2021

Here's what you get in Deepen Your Practice: Mindfulness for OTs

- 8 weeks of self-paced learning material to help you build your own consistent mindfulness practice and relate mindfulness to OT
- Live interactive calls to do group meditation and discuss the materials, or listen to the replays when you want
- 3-month access to a community of practice with other mindful OTs, including an optional private Facebook group
- Tools to help you build your resilience during this pandemic
- A guided "Day of Mindfulness"
- Downloadable guided meditations
- Therapy activities which you can bring to your clients right away
- Meditation scripts
- A mindfulness booklet
- Interactions with OTs from around the world
- Journal articles and summaries of the evidence for using mindfulness
- Accountability to other OTs while you bring mindfulness into your life
- Opportunities to problem-solve with other OTs and ask questions
- Mindful movement videos
- Tracking sheets
- Links to educational resources you can use with your clients
- Certificate of participation

04/23/2021

Opportunity for OT practitioners next week....

Many OT practitioners are telling me that they want to build a more consistent practice, but its hard to find the time. And short meditations!

I hear you.

Next week, I'm offering 5 days of meditations, that are about 5 minutes each. This starts Monday April 26 @ noon Eastern Standard Time. I'll be doing these short meditations live in the Mindful OTs Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/194121812399872).

If you aren't a member of the group yet, please ask to join and answer the questions so I can get you in before the first meditation.

I hope these will be a good grounding exercise at lunch for you or a nice way to start or finish your day (depending on your time zone). I know this will be in the middle of the night for some of you so I'd encourage you to set a regular time to watch the replays (starting Tuesday your time).

Looking forward to meditating with you!

04/18/2021

If you didn't get a copy of the Body Scan Meditation Handout, you can now get it from my website. Don't forget to check your junk mail after you request it!

04/16/2021

04/16/2021

Want a copy of my Build Your Day for Better Sleep handout?

I now have it available from my website. Visit https://sarahgoodot.ca/p/free-resources to get a free copy.

04/16/2021

Take a look at this post if you're working from home!

04/14/2021

"We don't sit in meditation to become good meditators. We sit in meditation so that we'll be more awake." Pema Chodron

04/08/2021

Let's face it, when we are in pain and we slow down to notice what's present, we just notice more pain! Yet, there is good evidence out there that having a mindfulness practice can improve quality of life for people living with pain. I've experienced it. I've seen my clients and students experience it.

When we practice mindfulness regularly, it can help calm the nervous system. We can be more aware of when we are bracing in response to pain (or anticipated pain). It can also allow us to be more aware of the negative self-talk, guilt and shame that we're piling on top of the physical pain.

When we are in pain, our awareness of our bodies decreases (because we all want to avoid unpleasant sensations). But that also means that we decrease our awareness of the pleasant sensations. One of the benefits of practicing mindfulness is that we can start to notice the pleasant sensations again, without getting flooded by the unpleasant ones.

As we become more aware of what's going on with our body, breath, emotions and thoughts, we can start to make wiser decisions about our lives. Over time, we can move towards living well despite the pain.

Again and again, I've seen clients with pain increase their participation in their lives after 4-8 weeks of mindfulness practice. Once again, they can live well, despite their pain. And once the negative emotions and self-talk decrease, the pain probably goes down too!
I had a great time discussing this on the Pain OT Learning Lab webinar this week. If you want the link to the replay, please post below.

04/06/2021

Mindfulness for Pain Management program in May 2021

Mindfulness for Pain Management program in May 2021

An 8-week program designed for individuals experiencing persistent pain or chronic illness facilitated by Sarah Good OT, Certified Teacher of Mindfulness-Based Symptom Management (MBSM) The course …

03/25/2021

This episode is all about mindfulness meditation. We explore mindfulness as a restful occupation, a tool for clinicians and a way to support clients. Sarah Good is a wealth of knowledge! Sarah Good Occupational Therapy

03/25/2021

Incorporating Mindfulness into OT Interventions Addressing Persistent Pain

I'm looking forward to teaming up with Linda Crawford to offer this event.

You're an OT wanting to weave mindfulness into your practice... But where to start? Join Sarah to find out how!

03/24/2021

What changes have you gone through recently? What's changing in your part of the world right now?

03/11/2021

Want to learn more about how I use mindfulness in telehealth? Check out the Telehealth OT podcast. Comment for the link.

03/05/2021

Check out this week's blog on my website discussing sleep during the pandemic. If you want the link, please comment below. Have a restful weekend!

03/01/2021

Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favourite writers. Tara Brach quoted her recently in a meditation talk which inspired me to share this quote with you. It reminds me why I work with my clients to figure out what they hope for!

02/25/2021

Sa | An interview with Janelle Gullen: Innovative OT in Women's Health

Sa | An interview with Janelle Gullen: Innovative OT in Women's Health

One of the best parts of being an occupational therapist is the privilege of hearing the most intimate details of our client’s daily life. For years, I enjoyed getting to know my clients through hearing about the occupations that fill their days, but until I became acquainted with Janelle Gullan.....

02/24/2021

Do you think peace will come some other place than here?
Some other time than Now?
In some other heart than yours? -Deborah Hunt

02/19/2021

Seems particularly appropriate this year.... May you all find ways to connect with what holds you this weekend.

02/18/2021

02/12/2021

3 Resources to Support Your Sleep (or that of your clients)

02/10/2021

Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.
If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,
this is the best season of your life.

“Ten Thousand Flowers in Spring” by Wu-Men

02/09/2021

Are you an occupational therapy practitioner? Are you in need of some rest and renewal? It's been a hard year to work with healthcare!

Would you like to gather with a group of OTs for a day of mindfulness practice? On February 26th, I'll be leading a group of OTs in a day of formal meditation, informal practices and movement. If you like more info, please comment below or message me.

Any level of experience is welcome.

02/08/2021

Excited to be setting up for the Week 1 call with a new group of OTs in Deepen Your Practice: Mindfulness for Occupational Therapists.

02/05/2021

Everything You Need to Know to Start Practicing a Body Scan

When I'm teaching mindfulness meditation courses, one of the first practices that I introduce is the body scan meditation. In fact, most evidence-based mindfulness programs that I've come across begin with a body scan. This week, the new participants in Deepen Your Practice: Mindfulness for Occupational Therapists are invited to practice the body scan daily.

What's the body scan?
The body scan is a practice in which we bring awareness to each part of our body in turn. Most people do this lying down or sitting but it can be done in any position. We can lead ourselves or listen to a teacher guide us. There is no movement needed in the practice, just bringing our attention to the body.

Why start with the body?
Connecting with our physical body is the first step in bringing awareness to our present life. As we bring more awareness to ourselves, its like we're peeling back layers. The outer most layer is the physical body. The body scan is not necessarily relaxing. It's about increasing our awareness of what's present and, if we're in pain or distress, that's what we'll notice. With repeated practice, we may gain some insight which can inform our decisions about how we take care of our body. Becoming more aware of our bodies can also help us learn to recognize emotions in our bodies when we move our mindfulness beyond our physical self.

How do I do a body scan?
1. Arrange to have 10-30 minutes of time when you're likely to be able to stay awake.
2. Find a space where you're unlikely to be disturbed.
3. Set yourself up in a comfortable sitting or lying position. You may want to use some pillows, blankets or an eye cover to support your practice.
4. Turn off your phone (or put it on "do not disturb" if you're listening to a guided meditation on your phone).
4. Close your eyes or let your gaze fall softly in front of you.
5. Bring awareness to your breathing, without the need to change it.
6. Bring awareness to the sensations in your feet. Take some breaths here.
7. Gradually, move up your body and pay close attention to each area.
8. If your mind wanders (which it will), bring it back to the last body part that you can recall or continue from where your teacher is now leading you.
9. Spend a few more minutes noticing your natural inhale and exhale.
10. Get up slowly.

Can I listen to a recording?
If you would prefer to listen to a recorded version, I've got one on the Insight Timer app. You'll need to sign up for the free version of the Insight Timer to gain access. Once you are there, search "Sarah Good Body Scan" and you'll find it!

I hope this was a helpful introduction to the body scan for you. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Be good to yourself,

Sarah

02/03/2021

Meditation in Session:
Here's my favourite meditation stool and my door sign (so the family knows when I'm meditation). Do you meditate? Where is your space to do this?

02/02/2021

What's astonishing you this week?

02/01/2021

"The more we invest in our wellness now, the better off we will be on the other side of COVID-19" (Bradley, 2020)

01/28/2021

The Mysterious Link Between COVID-19 and Sleep

Interesting article on the link between sleep and Covid-19:
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/12/covid-19-sleep-pandemic-zzzz/617454/

The coronavirus can cause insomnia and long-term changes in our nervous systems. But sleep could also be a key to ending the pandemic.

01/27/2021

Mindfulness for OTs

https://youtu.be/yyiSmwlVHkw

This is a replay of my live webinar from January 25, 2021 on Mindfulness for Occupational Therapists. The replay will be available until Friday January 29, ...