This book chapter shares the personal journey of an occupational therapist and the influences on her career as an occupational therapist in mental health. Training and starting work in South Africa and later practicing in the UK, the author draws upon the commonalities of practice and the concept of health as a dynamic state on a continuum which for anyone at any time can change. The chapter moves on to focus on how occupational therapy may contribute to employment and vocational services from a profession-specific perspective in defining employment and vocational opportunities, addressing vocational issues at different parts of entry to a service and grading support to promote recovery. The applicability of the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability in vocational rehabilitation is described and illustrated in the form of two case studies (One from South Africa and one from the UK).
Van Heerden, C, (2008) as cited in McKay, E,Craik, C, Lim, K and Richards, G (2008) Advancing Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Practice. Blackwell Publishing.