In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda sits down with Heather Dunlap, a licensed professional counselor and occupational therapist, to break down what occupational therapy (OT) really is—and how it complements the work we do in mental health.

Heather shares her unique perspective as a dual-licensed provider, offering insight into how OT supports clients across the lifespan in developing independence with daily activities, sensory regulation, and fine motor coordination. You’ll hear practical examples of how occupational therapy can benefit children struggling with sensory integration, and how therapists and OTs can collaborate to support clients more holistically.

We also dig into topics like:

• The difference between OT and physical therapy

• How OT helps with sensory issues, including feeding challenges

• Overlaps between mental health counseling and OT

• The medical model in OT, and where it sometimes falls short

• The power of therapeutic listening and brain-body integration

Whether you're a therapist considering a referral, curious about how OT and mental health intersect, or just looking to expand your clinical toolkit—this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

OUR HOST:

Miranda Barker, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for several years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, case manager, and the Director of Brand Content at Ellie Mental Health. Follow her on⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn.⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and has expanded to an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps:

00:18 – Meet Heather Dunlap: LPC & Occupational Therapist

01:33 – What is Occupational Therapy?

03:24 – OT vs. Physical Therapy

05:49 – OT Support for Children

07:18 – Sensory Integration in Kids

12:50 – How OT Sets Goals and Tracks Progress

26:05 – OT and Autism Spectrum Support

29:39 – Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoidance

31:04 – Feeding Therapy & Sensory Needs Around Food

35:26 – Medical Model in OT: Strengths and Limitations

41:32 – Building Bridges: Collaborating with OTs