Is Occupational Therapy a good career?

Question

I am considering this as a career. Also, are there many OT mental health jobs in the U.S.?

Answer 1

I am going to school for OT. The way the program is currently set up, you have to get a bachelors degree (in anything, I'm in psychology) and then you apply for OT, which is an additional two years. OT is a great career to get into, especially now since the baby-bombers are going to start needing therapy b/c of strokes, and heart attacks, etc. I'm looking at getting into pediatric OT and working at a children's hospital. With children you can deal with MS, ADD/ADHD, MRDD, birth defects, cerebral palsy, etc., the list is endless. I know of someone who was hired right out of college for $60,000/year. I hope this helps!

Answer 2

OT is a good career choice, if you are willing to relocate. There may not be facilities in your area to use your talents. Go to a college career library and look under OT and see where they are utilized and then choose from that information.
A good field would also be Organizational therapy, which helps organizations to better their communication, employees, etc.
Many such fields are good, but do your homework on where they can be used. Being a counselor without the extra education allows you to work anywhere, but it isn't as high-paying if you don't get in with the right group, or don't get many clients on your own. Occupational therapy can be used, as you probably know, in recovery hospitals, elderly homes, youth homes, and rehabilitation hospitals.
All therapy fields can be a plus if you like working with people and want to help them as they get healthier. But, consider the fields and what is available before entering, not after. My situation: HMO's will only pay $25 per visit, and only allow a minimum amount of visits. This is hard to understand, as depressed people need more than a minimum of visits and my overhead can be high.. This may change over the years, but again, it may not.
Start your education by educating yourself on the financial aspects, but also on the need in each state.

Answer 3

Most of the "allied health professions" are good careers. The demand will continue to grow in many areas...OT, PT, and SLP. There are a variety of settings and patient populations you can choose from and many are now offering sign on bonuses. You may potentially be well sought after if you choose to enter the mental health field.

Answer 4

If you go into OT or not - realize a lot of things people deal with is due to pain. For the ones you run across who want to help themselves there is a book on muscles that I would like to tell you about. It is The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies, it can be found in the library or purchased, by a guy who got into muscle work because of himself (a renowned piano tuner and maker of tools to help) and his daughter or granddaughter (I forget).

Answer 5

It is a well paying job and a good career choice.People are always going to need therapy.