I haven’t posted on this blog in quite some time despite my dreams to post more regularly and share what I’m learning as I grow as an occupational therapist (OT). I’ve been a registered OT in Ontario since 2019 and have worked at a day program for about 5 years of that. I loved working with my clients, creating space for them to learn and grow by creating modified activities and appropriate environmental accommodations for their neurodiverse needs. I got to work outside and I got to make a difference by being a safe person in a safe place for kids and adults who didn’t have as many safe places as most people.
And then everything went dark.
Without going into too much detail, my workplace shifted and I almost immediately lost any joy I had in my role. A new administrator eliminated any say the registered clinicians had in decisions or our own work. Despite being a program for neurodiverse clients and having a lot of neurodiverse staff, changes were being made rapidly without warning, with the expectation of complete acceptance (if you aren’t aware, neurodiverse people struggle with change and preplanning is important – also was a huge pillar our manager used to preach until she decided it didn’t apply to her). Every day brought me extreme anxiety, I often spent most days emotionally supporting my staff and putting out metaphorical fires instead of being able to dedicate my energy to my clients, and nothing I could advocate for was being listened to. Clients and parents were noticing the shift and I was quickly losing my spark and any will to push through.
In February I decided to take the scary jump to leave my job without a true backup plan sorted out. I had the private practice I worked for, which I planned on taking on more clients but when I quit I had a grand total of 3 that I saw irregularly. I had also always wanted to start my own practice so I could do the most work for my clients in the way I believed was as client centred and client led as possible…. So that’s where I went.
I left my job, sacrificed solid income to choose my mental health and took weeks to rest and recover while I saw my very few clients. And then I dove into building a business.
My goal was to create a business so I could provide the most neurodiverse affirming, relational, client led approach to practice I possibly could , and so I could fully put my effort into all my clients.
And I did! As of May 2026, Sunshine OT was born
Offering in person sessions in Toronto and virtual sessions in Ontario, my main focus is neurodiverse clients, but I am able to expand to learn and grow to meet whatever individuals that seek me out. I have been able to find joy in providing my energy and active listening to individuals who have found me through doctors, peers, internet searches. I can learn and try new strategies and grow on my own time without having to constantly put out fires.
As a business owner and a private practice OT now, yes there are a lot of things I have to learn. I have to figure out business taxes, make sure I know all the standards of practice, ensure my licensing is correct, and above all I have to reflect on my energy at the end of the day and figure out what the perfect number of clients and travelling is so I can avoid burnout. So it’s not easy, but it’s work that brings me joy and once again, I feel fulfilled in my role.
I hope that now I will have more energy to write, to read and learn and to share my experiences on this blog
If you have any questions about starting a practice, neurodiversity, occupational therapy, or life in general, let me know if there are themes you’d enjoy from this blog 🙂
Thank you for reading!
Be Your Own Sunshine 