What I learned about myself during my first year as an OT

I learned a lot about myself as an OT during my first year as an OT-what I’m most interested in, how I feel about different practice settings-but this blog post isn’t about all of that. This post is about what I learned about myself as a person.

I am creative

I realized I could come up with an entire fun activity with very minimal supplies. And I could take the one thing a kid was interested in and turn it into an entire therapy session.

I can think on my feet

There were countless times that I had less than 5 minutes notice that I was seeing a kid I didn’t know. The first few times I wanted to scream but then I realized that I could do it. I could. I could figure out what to do and get through the session.

I am warm and welcoming

There were few things I loved more than walking out to the waiting room, sitting down next to a parent, and them opening up to me.

I am sarcastic and (sometimes) blunt

On more than one occasion, a coworker heard me say something that caused them to double over laughing

I am resilient

There were so many days that I came home and said I was never going back. But the next morning, my alarm went off and I got up and went to work and handled it.

I know how to ask for help

I went to my coworkers when I had OT questions and when I couldn’t handle the stress, I found a therapist for myself.

I am insightful and smart

There were times that I spent one session with a kid (the first time meeting them) and something just seemed to jump out at me. I’d bring it up to the family and they said no one had ever noticed what I had.

But most importantly, I learned how important it is to put myself first. I learned that I am a good therapist but I need to work somewhere that supports my personal and professional needs.