Occupational therapy or psychological wellbeing practioner?

The usual advice with questions like these is, have you got any experience with either of these roles? That would be a good point to start with

I have seen OT's work but not psychological wellbeing practitioners.

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Hello all.

I am 24 and have a pychology degree, a years experience as a support worker for LD in a registered home, and a few months experience as a support worker in a mental health hospital working with adolescents

I am now thinking about what to do with the rest of my life as I would like to be more than a support worker. I find mental health really interesting but I can imagine there being alot of burnout quickly. I am thinking about becoming an OT as the working hours are really good (9-5) and the clients and work is very varied. I am also thinking about CBT or becoming a psychological wellbeing practioner. A PWP earns more while training and it only takes a year to be qualified. Also I think it would be really rewarding as cbt is really successful for alot of clients. On the other hand I am introverted and not as good with people compared to others :-/

I have spent over a year trying to decide on what to do and think now I just need to go for something. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

Hello,

I can't really offer much other than saying both are roles that I've considered at the past (I am soon to be 29, although I only graduate at 27 as my undergraduate degree took several years to complete due to health/personal difficulties). I'm about to start as a community enabler (LD -supported housing), also work as a Educational Support Worker (mainly provide mentoring), and some voluntary experience as a support worker (vocational rehabilitation for people with brain injuries) and I'm a Samaritans listening volunteer. I'm swaying more toward Occupational Therapy, perhaps training to be a counsellor later in life. But it probably won't be until I'm approaching my mid-30s that I train as an OT due to wanting to work, travel and perhaps do a PT masters.

At 24 you're still young so have plenty of time. Do you think being introverted is the biggest concern wrt become a psychol wellbeing prac? Have you considered becoming a Samaritans listening volunteer? Although a Samaritans offers emotional support/an active listening service, rather than counselling as such, and certainly not CBT, it might still be a role that will give you more confidence in dealing with people.

How are you finding your work as a support worker? Is it something you feel you can do the next few years until you make a decision? Do you find it fufilling enough? From your post I sense you want to make the change now?

I hope you're able to find more information. But with psychological wellbeing practitioners still being relatively new as a profession, I'm not sure if there are many, if any, on this site.

Hi OP. Being an OT would be within the same settings where you worked as a support worker but with a more senior role within the multi disciplinary team. Have you enjoyed being in the care home/rehabilitation unit settings? Is there a particular clientele you feel more enthusiastic about working with, e.g. learning difficulties above forensic mental health patients? You can widen your experience by seeking to work with a new clientèle or specialise in one that you are already certain you are motivated by.

A psychological wellbeing practitioner is a clinically based role so has a different feel to the interventions delivered within hospital/care home settings. If you think you might enjoy that change, or want to tick it off as a cv accomplishment, it may be a wise move to make.