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Occupational Therapy's Role in Managing Social Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder is a common mental health condition that affects an individuals social life and relationships. Individuals with social anxiety experience intense fear, overwhelm and discomfort in social situations, which can significantly hinder their daily lives and overall well-being. While various treatments, including therapy and medication, are available, occupational therapy has emerged as a valuable and holistic approach to help individuals manage social anxiet

Tasks Analysis: The Essential Tool in Every Occupational Therapist Toolbelt

Those who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADH) are familiar with the challenge of maintaining focus and completing tasks. Occupational Therapists can play an important role in supporting people with ADH to better understand and manage these challenges through a process called task analysis. Occupational Therapists are skilled professionals who focus on supporting individuals with improving their daily living skills and increasing independence. OTs often employ task anal

Sitting With Emotions vs. Processing Them: A Gentle Distinction

Many people come to therapy because their emotions feel overwhelming. They may say, “I just sit in my feelings and nothing changes” or “I don’t know how to process what I’m going through.” These two experiences — sitting with emotions and processing them — are related, but not the same. Understanding the difference can open up more compassionate ways of moving through difficult moments. Sitting With Emotions To sit with an emotion means to allow it to be present without p

Autonomy vs. Automaticity: The Importance of Choice in Daily Routines

Much of daily life can be organized around the idea of automaticity . We’re encouraged to build habits so ingrained that we no longer need to think about them—wake up, brush teeth, answer emails, make dinner, repeat. Automaticity is often framed as efficiency: less effort, fewer decisions, and more productivity. But for many people, automaticity does not always create ease. In fact, it can quietly erode autonomy, increase internal resistance, and drain meaning from daily acti

Understanding Procrastination: What’s Beneath the Surface and How to Move Forward

Procrastination is often misunderstood as laziness or lack of motivation. But for most people, it’s not about being unwilling—it’s about being overwhelmed. The moment you put something off, it can bring a mix of relief and guilt, but can make things feel more stressful as the deadline looms, or bring up feelings of shame for struggling to get to something that 'should' be easy, setting off a cycle that feels hard to break. From an occupational therapy and psychotherapy pers

What to Expect from Therapy: A Gentle Guide

Beginning therapy can feel like a mix of relief, hope, and uncertainty. Many people come into sessions with the wish that change will be...

Virtual sessions are offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 10:00am and 5:00pm

Email responses will typically be provided between Monday and Thursday, 9:00am to 6:00pm. 

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© 2026 by Erin Spencer Occupational Therapy. All Rights Reserved.

We acknowledge that the land on which we work and live is the traditional territory of many Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and is part of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant—an agreement to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.

We recognize the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, and are committed to meaningful action in support of truth, reconciliation, and Indigenous sovereignty.

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