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It was while pursuing a psychology degree at Dalhousie that Morgann Stiles first became aware of occupational therapy.
She was immediately struck by the profession’s broad scope and seemingly limitless opportunities and possibilities.
Having been working in occupational therapy for seven years, that initial impression of the job has proved to be correct for Stiles.
“It sounded really cool to me because it had so many options, like working in mental health, working in physical health, working across so many populations,” she said. “The hands-on aspect of the job and really impacting or influencing patients’ day to day functions was really appealing to me.”
Upon graduation Stiles, originally from New Glasgow, worked as an occupational therapist at several different places before joining Nova Scotia Health five years ago.
For the last year and a half she has been working as a clinical therapist in the Mental Health and Addictions program’s community mental health clinic that covers the Bedford-Sackville area.
The experience so far has exceeded her expectations.
“I learned a lot more than I would even have thought possible and I feel like there’s still so much more. I will work my whole career and still not cover every aspect of OT that’s available, which I think is really unique in a profession,” she said. “There’s just so many opportunities and growing as an OT and a person within this role, so I think that’s probably my favourite part.”
She said occupational therapists are a very valuable piece of the provincial healthcare system as they “offer such a unique lens on how physical and mental adversities really impact someone’s function.”
“So, basically, what we’re doing is working with moderate to severe mental illness, assessing and treating individuals, especially those which have an impact on their day-to-day function, and trying to improve quality of life and engagement in activities.”
The irony of starting out looking to earn a psychology degree and winding up working in the Mental Health and Addictions Program is not lost on her.
“This is kind of where I wanted to end up eventually. It’s only been a year and a half, but I’m really taking the opportunity to take different courses and learn different skills and really expand my knowledge in mental health in assessing and treatment, so I’m happy to stay here for a while.”