What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) is a holistic, client-centered, and occupation-centered health profession that helps individuals participate in meaningful daily activities and roles by addressing physical, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that influence performance and well-being. Learn more through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website.
Occupational therapy optimizes the human behind the athlete by addressing performance through daily function.
Designs performance-driven routines and habits to enhance consistency
Develops pre-game, in-game, and recovery systems
Regulates the nervous system to support performance under pressure
Implements coping and communication strategies
Strengthens attention, focus, and emotional regulation
Supports identity development beyond performance outcomes
Facilitates adaptation to new roles, environments, and transitions (D. Santore, personal communication, 2026).
Research supports that structured routines, mental skills training, and self-regulation strategies improve athletic performance, consistency, reduce stress, and enhance emotional regulation (di Fronso & Budnik-Przybylska, 2023; Orbach & Blumenstein, 2022).
Occupational therapy addresses the person behind the performance by integrating the physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and lifestyle factors that influence long-term athletic success.