Occupational Therapy for
Life Changes
Practical, person-centred support for adults experiencing cognitive, mental health or life-transition challenges.
I'm Claire Matthews, a Senior Occupational Therapist based in Sligo.
I help adults understand what's getting in the way of everyday life and find practical ways to reconnect with the activities, relationships and roles that matter to them.
How I can help
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Practical support following memory changes, MCI, or dementia.
Mental Health OT
Support when anxiety, low mood, burnout or loss of confidence is affecting everyday life.
Life Transitions
OT support when life has changed and you're trying to work out what comes next.
Who is this service for ?
This specialist service supports two groups of adults:
Adults experiencing low mood, anxiety, stress or burnout
People finding it difficult to manage day-to-day life amy benefit from occupational therapy to help understand what is getting in the way and find practical ways to make everyday activities more manageable. Occupational Therapy helps to create a life that makes space for fulfilment, confidence, satisfaction, a positive sense of self and enjoyment.
Adults experiencing cognitive changes
For people who are experiencing changes in memory, attention, planning or other thinking skills, occupational therapy can help to understand how these changes can affect everyday life. Occupational therapy helps people develop practical strategies to compensate for difficulties, maintain independence and support cognitive function for as long as possible.
Referral Information
Referrals are welcome from:
Individuals through self-referral
GPs
Consultant psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals
Appointments
Face-to-face appointments are available in Sligo and surrounding areas.
Online appointments are also available where appropriate.
Reports and communication with healthcare professionals
Following an initial mental health assessment or functional assessment, a written report can be provided outlining the assessment findings, recommendations and agreed goals.
With consent, reports can be securely shared with GPs, psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals through Healthmail, Ireland's secure email service for healthcare professionals.
To make a referral or discuss whether occupational therapy may be appropriate, please get in touch.
Comprehensive Clinical Services
This comprehensive assessment package consists of three sessions:
Initial Occupational Therapy Assessment and Formulation – exploring the individual's occupational history, strengths, challenges, and goals.
Standardised Functional Assessment – utilising the evidence-based Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) to objectively evaluate functional performance in everyday activities.
Feedback and Recommendations Session – discussion of assessment findings, provision of a written report, and recommendations to support functional independence and participation.
This service may be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing cognitive difficulties, mental health challenges, or concerns regarding their functional abilities.
Cognitive Rehabilitation Group
Practical strategies, connection and support for adults experiencing cognitive changes.
Cognitive changes can affect many aspects of everyday life — from remembering appointments and conversations to organising tasks, finding words, maintaining routines and feeling confident in your abilities.
This small, supportive group is designed to help you understand your cognitive strengths and challenges and develop practical strategies to support you in everyday life.
Before committing to the programme, we will have a free 15-minute consultation call to discuss your needs, answer any questions and make sure the group is appropriate for you.
The programme consists of four weekly, two-hour group sessions, with a maximum of six participants. Each session will include refreshments and snacks, with plenty of opportunity to learn, practise strategies and connect with others.
Drawing on my clinical experience in Psychiatry of Later Life and my qualification as a Dementia Champion, I will incorporate a range of evidence-informed approaches, including:
Understanding your memory and thinking skills
Compensation strategies to make everyday tasks easier
Memory technology and practical tools to support independence
Life story work and exploring meaningful memories
Physical activity and exercise to support cognitive and overall wellbeing
Strategies for routines, organisation and managing everyday activities
Opportunities to share experiences, ideas and strategies with others
The value of learning together
One of the most important parts of the programme is meeting other people who understand what it is like to experience cognitive changes.
The group provides an opportunity to share experiences, learn from one another and discover that you are not alone in facing these challenges. There will be space for conversation, encouragement and connection alongside the practical work of cognitive rehabilitation.
Group size is limited to 6 people, allowing me to provide individual attention while maintaining the benefits of a small, supportive group environment.
The aim is not simply to exercise your memory, but to help you find practical ways to use your strengths, compensate for areas of difficulty and continue participating in the activities and roles that are meaningful to you.
Mental Health OT Assessment
A personalised Occupational Therapy assessment to understand what matters to you and identify practical ways to support you in your everyday life.
Your assessment begins with a free 15-minute consultation call, giving us an opportunity to talk about what you are looking for, answer any questions and decide whether Occupational Therapy is the right support for you.
If we decide to proceed, you will have a 1-hour one-to-one assessment with me. I will draw on my clinical experience and use an evidence-based Occupational Therapy assessment tool and model of practice that best fits your individual needs. I have experience using the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) and the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), and I am also incorporating my developing knowledge of the Kawa Model into my practice.
Together, we will explore how your mental health may be affecting the things you need, want or value doing in your everyday life — including your routines, relationships, work, self-care, leisure and sense of identity.
Following your assessment, I will provide you with a written Occupational Therapy report outlining your occupational strengths, areas of challenge and recommendations tailored to your needs.
Your recommendations may include:
Practical strategies to support your everyday functioning
Suggestions for developing routines and meaningful activities
Strategies to support confidence, motivation and participation
Signposting to other appropriate services or supports
Follow-up Occupational Therapy sessions, if these would be helpful
Any follow-up support will be collaboratively designed with you, based on your goals and what you feel would be most useful.
Managing the Midlife Transition
A small-group Occupational Therapy programme for women navigating change, identity and what comes next.
Midlife can be a time of significant change. Our children grow and become more independent, relationships and family roles can shift, our careers may no longer feel quite right, and changes in our bodies and wellbeing can leave us wondering, “What now?”
Managing the Midlife Transition is a supportive, practical group where we take time to pause, reflect and explore what matters to you now.
Using Occupational Therapy approaches, including the Kawa Model, we will explore your current life, the things that may be getting in the way of living the life you want, and the people, activities and environments that can help you move forward.
Together we will explore:
Who am I now? Exploring identity and changing roles
What matters to me? Reconnecting with values, interests and meaningful occupations
Making space for change Identifying what is helping and what may be holding you back
Finding joy and purpose Rediscovering activities and experiences that bring meaning
What comes next? Setting realistic goals and creating space for new possibilities
This isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating the space to think about what you want your next chapter to look like — and taking some practical steps towards it.
A welcoming, informal group with conversation, reflection, practical activities and plenty of opportunity to connect with others going through similar transitions.
