Welcoming Nufar Berko Gabay to OT Works!
We are delighted to welcome Nufar Berko Gabay to our team!
Nufar joined us in September 2025 and brings a strong passion for supporting individuals with mental health challenges and working with older adults.
Originally from Richmond, Nufar completed her undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna. She values a collaborative approach to care and enjoys working closely with clients to support their personal goals and recovery journeys.
Before becoming an Occupational Therapist, Nufar worked as a health coach, where she specialized in helping individuals with type 2 diabetes make meaningful, sustainable changes. She has a particular interest in mental health and has completed additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Through her experience in both public health and private community settings, Nufar has supported individuals living with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, recovery following cardiac events or cancer, concussions and traumatic brain injuries, and complex or mixed diagnoses.
Outside of work, Nufar enjoys spending time with friends, family, and pets. You’ll often find her at the beach, browsing a local market, or exploring the outdoors. Fun fact: during her time living in Kelowna, she conquered her fear of heights by parasailing over Okanagan Lake!
Nufar is based in Metro Vancouver, and offers services to clients through WorkSafeBC, ICBC, private insurance, and self-pay. She is a registered member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
We’re thrilled to have Nufar join our practice and look forward to the care and compassion she brings to our clients and community.
Get started with an OT
If you or someone you know can benefit from the support of an occupational therapist, reach out to us today!
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Phone: 604.696.1066 ext. 1000.
OT Works! Holiday Hours
OT Works! will be closed during the holidays.
We will be back to our regular hours on January 02, 2026, when we will be accepting new clients in Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Sea-to-Sky, Sunshine Coast, Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Comox Valley.
| Monday, December 22, 2025 | Open, 9am-5pm |
| Tuesday, December 23, 2025 | Open, 9am-5pm |
| Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | Open, 9am-12pm |
| Thursday, December 25, 2025 | Closed |
| Friday, December 26, 2025 | Closed |
| Monday, December 29, 2025 | Closed |
| Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | Closed |
| Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | Closed |
| Thursday, January 01, 2026 | Closed |
| Friday, January 02, 2026 | Open, 9am-5pm |
Regular business hours resume on January 02.
We wish you a very Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year!
Get started with an OT
Our therapists at OT Works! are registered and in good standing with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC). Our approach is based on current research and evidence-based practice.
If you or someone you know could benefit from occupational therapy, contact us today!
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Vancouver: 604.696.1066
Victoria: 250.999.8896
OT Works! Community OT Services now available on the Sunshine Coast, BC
OT Works! is excited to announce that we are now providing community-based occupational therapy services to clients living and working on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, BC.
We support individuals recovering from motor vehicle accidents (ICBC rehabilitation), workplace injuries (WorkSafeBC programs), and extended illness or disability with funding from third party insurers and Veterans Affairs. We also support members of the public looking to have their customized needs met promptly.
If you need a mobile occupational therapist on the Sunshine Coast, OT Works! is here to help.
Occupational Therapy Services on the Sunshine Coast
Our community-based therapists provide rehabilitation support in real-life environments, including homes, workplaces, schools, and community locations. By seeing clients where they live and work, we develop meaningful, customized treatment plans that result in recovery and long-term wellness.
On the Sunshine Coast, we are currently serving communities including:
- Gibsons
- Langdale
- Roberts Creek
- Sechelt
- Davis Bay
- Wilson Creek
- Halfmoon Bay
- Madeira Park
- Pender Harbour
- Egmont
- Powell River
Our Community Occupational Therapy Services Include:
- Return-to-Work Planning and Support
- Ergonomic Assessments
- Home Health & Safety Assessments
- Community Reintegration
- Concussion Management
- Treatment for Depression and Anxiety
These services support individuals experiencing pain, cognitive challenges, mental health concerns, mobility limitations, and recovery after injury or illness.
Why Choose OT Works! on the Sunshine Coast?
- Knowledge and experience from someone who lives on the Sunshine Coast
- Evidence-based rehabilitation
- Collaborative communication with clients, insurers, employers, and health teams
- Convenient in-home and workplace visits
- Personalized plans designed for functional recovery
Whether you’re returning to work after an injury, managing symptoms at home, or looking for ways to stay safe and independent, OT Works! can help.
Meet Shae-Lynn Carlson, OT
Shae-Lynn is a compassionate and collaborative occupational therapist living on the Sunshine Coast.
She uses a relationship-focused approach to build trust and rapport, and ultimately facilitate meaningful functional improvements. She has experience supporting individuals with musculoskeletal/orthopaedic injuries, concussion, traumatic brain injury, mental health challenges (anxiety, depression), and mixed diagnoses.
Shae-Lynn has a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of British Columbia but is thrilled to have returned to a smaller community similar to where she grew up.
She is grateful to collaborate with and serve the Sunshine Coast community.
Connect with us today to get started or to learn more about occupational therapy services on the Sunshine Coast.
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Phone: 604.696.1066 ext. 1000.
OT in Action: Celebrating Occupational Therapy Month
Every October, OT Works! celebrates Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, recognizing the incredible work of our Occupational Therapists and the meaningful impact they make in the lives of our clients and communities.
This year’s theme, as set by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), is “Occupational Therapy in Action.” The theme reflects the dynamic, hands-on nature of the profession, spotlighting the active role OTs play in enabling people to participate fully in the activities that matter most.
“Occupational therapists actively promote clients’ participation in important activities; they facilitate clients’ re-engagement in a life that is meaningful, connected and rewarding.”
Pamela Russell, Clinical Director, OT Works!
What Does ‘Occupational Therapy in Action’ Mean?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) partner with clients to restore, maintain, and enhance their ability to engage in daily activities—whether at home, work, school, or in the community. Through collaborative assessment and intervention, OTs help people overcome barriers related to injury, illness, disability, or life transitions.
OT in action looks like:
- Supporting someone returning to meaningful employment
- Guiding strategies for mental health and stress management
- Adapting tasks and environments to promote safety and independence
- Building routines that enhance well-being and resilience
By focusing on what individuals do each day, OTs promote purpose, participation, and quality of life.
Lighting Up Canada for World OT Day
On October 27th, landmarks across Canada will once again glow in blue to honour World Occupational Therapy Day and to build awareness of the profession’s important contributions.
In British Columbia, several familiar spaces will join the celebration, including:
- Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, Science World, Burrard Street Bridge, City Hall and Convention Centre
- Port Moody City Hall
- YVR Airport Control Tower Lights
- Victoria’s Parliament Buildings, Confederation Garden Park Fountain and Waterfall, and Victoria Street Bridge Lighting
- City of Nanaimo Bastion
These lights represent communities coming together to recognize the power and impact of occupational therapy in action.
OT Works! – Active Support for Communities Across BC
At OT Works!, we’re proud to support individuals throughout British Columbia with a diverse team of highly skilled therapists certified by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC). Our clinicians bring experience in:
- Physical rehabilitation
- Mental health care
- Brain injury recovery
- Functional capacity evaluation
…and much more.
Serving the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky region, and Vancouver Island, our mission remains clear: to help clients act toward their personal and professional goals through individualized, evidence-based, and compassionate care.
Learn More About Occupational Therapy
As we celebrate OT Month and World OT Day, we encourage you to explore resources from these organizations:
- Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (CAOT)
- World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)
Happy OT Month!
Unmasking PTSD: How Occupational Therapy Supports Healing
Living with a mental health or substance use challenge is hard, and trying to hide it is even harder.
Mental Health Week 2025 invites us all to “Unmask Mental Health.” It’s a call to peel back the masks we hide behind—especially when it comes to conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced trauma, and its impact is personal and often invisible. From disrupted sleep to difficulty maintaining relationships or routines, the effects of PTSD can ripple through every aspect of daily life. Occupational Therapists (OTs) are trained to help individuals navigate these challenges, supporting them on their journey to recovery and renewed independence.
Understanding PTSD and the Mask We Wear
PTSD doesn’t always look how we expect it to. It can present in many ways, including:
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories
- Heightened anxiety or hypervigilance
- Avoidance of certain people, places, or activities
- Emotional numbness or difficulty concentrating
Because these symptoms can be difficult to explain—or even recognize—many people “mask” their struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy. Stigma, shame, or fear of being misunderstood can lead to avoidance behaviors and self-stigma, making healing even more challenging.
Unmasking these hidden struggles is a powerful first step toward healing. By acknowledging our mental health challenges, we can access the support we need to recover.
How Occupational Therapy Helps with PTSD
1. Creating a Safe Space for Unmasking
Occupational Therapists provide a compassionate, judgment-free environment where clients can begin to unpack their experiences. OTs help individuals build self-awareness and learn emotional regulation techniques that reduce overwhelm and increase a sense of control.
2. Helping with Daily Routines and Independence
PTSD can make even simple daily tasks feel overwhelming. OTs support clients in:
- Identifying and managing triggers during everyday activities
- Returning to previously avoided daily activities
- Rebuilding routines that conserve energy and reduce stress
- Using pacing and prioritization techniques to avoid burnout
- Implementing gradual exposure strategies in safe, real-world settings to rebuild confidence
3. Mind-Body Connection: Regaining Control
Healing from trauma involves more than just talking. Occupational Therapists use sensory-based interventions, such as grounding exercises, to help clients stay present. Mindfulness strategies and breathing techniques can reduce anxiety and reconnect clients with their bodies in a safe, empowering way.
4. Supporting Work & Social Life
Whether returning to work, school, or social activities, PTSD can create barriers that feel insurmountable. OTs provide:
- Tailored strategies for reintegrating into the workplace
- Techniques to reduce social isolation
- Support in accessing community resources to build a strong, supportive network
Breaking the Stigma: How You Can Help
Unmasking mental health is a collective effort. You can support this movement by:
- Starting open conversations about PTSD and mental wellness
- Encouraging loved ones to seek professional help when needed
- Offering support without judgment—sometimes just listening can make a big difference
This Mental Health Week let’s challenge ourselves to unmask PTSD and other hidden mental health conditions. With the right support, healing is possible. Occupational Therapists are here to walk alongside individuals as they rebuild their lives, routines, and sense of self.
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait. Reach out for help today.
Resources
- Crisis Support: Talk Suicide Canada (1-833-456-4566)
Contact Us
Looking for support from an Occupational Therapist? Our team is here to help.
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Phone: 604.696.1066 ext. 1000.
Welcoming Theo Ortega to OT Works!
We are thrilled to introduce Theo Ortega, the newest member of the OT Works! team. Joining us in January 2025, Theo brings a wealth of experience, cultural insight, and dedication to helping clients regain their independence and engage in the activities that matter most.
Theo is passionate about delivering personalized care and fostering collaboration with clients. His approach focuses on empowering individuals to overcome challenges and rediscover their confidence.
Having traveled extensively across North and South America, Europe, and Asia, Theo has cultivated a deep cultural awareness that informs his ability to tailor his support to each client’s unique needs. He has worked with diverse populations in Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands, focusing on a wide range of conditions, including:
- Musculoskeletal and orthopedic injuries
- Oncology-related conditions
- Chronic pain
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Complex diagnoses
Theo spent much of his career practicing in Toronto, Ontario, before expanding his practice to the United States, where he focused on oncology rehabilitation and lymphedema therapy in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, his service in the Canadian Armed Forces gives him a distinctive perspective on the needs of military personnel and veterans.
Based in Victoria, Theo offers services to clients through WorkSafeBC, ICBC, private insurance, and self-pay. He is a registered member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
We are excited to have Theo join OT Works! and are confident that his skills and passion will benefit our clients and community!
Get started with an OT
If you or someone you know can benefit from the support of an occupational therapist, reach out to us today!
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Phone: 604.696.1066 ext. 1000.
Occupational Therapists Provide Wheelchair Assessments for better quality of life
A properly fitted wheelchair, carefully chosen to meet you for your short and long-term needs can significantly increase your function and improve your quality of life. A comprehensive wheelchair and seating assessment, conducted by an Occupational Therapist (OT), is essential to getting the right fit and the right wheelchair for you.
What is a Wheelchair Assessment?
A wheelchair assessment is a thorough evaluation to determine the most suitable wheelchair and seating system for your specific current, and potential future needs. Performed by a trained and qualified occupational therapist, this assessment ensures that the wheelchair selection will provide the necessary support, comfort, and functionality you need, and that the chair can move safely and comfortably within and between environments.
Why is a Wheelchair Assessment Important?
A wheelchair assessment addresses your unique needs. It measures your upper and lower extremity strength, ability to propel/drive the chair, postural endurance, sitting balance, physical and environmental barriers, cognition, and your unique activities and goals.
Without this assessment, you may end up with a wheelchair that is uncomfortable, difficult to maneuver, or inadequate for your daily activities, leading to decreased independence and potential health risks. A well-fitted wheelchair enhances mobility, promotes independence, and supports overall health.
Who Needs a Wheelchair Assessment?
Anyone who needs a wheelchair, whether for temporarily or long-term use, benefits from a wheelchair assessment. If it is your first chair or you are looking for a replacement chair because of your changing needs, a wheelchair assessment can help you be more comfortable and more functional.
A wheelchair assessment by a regulated professional is also necessary for anyone requiring documentation to acquire funding for a wheelchair. OTs can prepare funding justification letters for extended health benefits and insurance companies that often require an OT assessment prior to funding a wheelchair.
What Happens During an OT Wheelchair Assessment?
- Interview: The process begins with an in-depth conversation about your daily routines, health history, and specific needs and goals.
- Environmental Considerations: The assessment considers the environments where you will use the wheelchair, such as the home, workplace, or community settings, and whether it will be needed outside or inside, on transit or while driving.
- Physical Examination: The OT completes a screen of your physical, functional abilities and identifies any safety concerns.
- Measurements: The OT takes precise measurements to ensure the wheelchair will fit and support your body.
- Trial and Fitting: You may trial various wheelchair options to find the best fit, and adjustments are made as necessary.
- Training and Education: Once the ideal wheelchair system is selected, the OT may provide you and/or your caregivers with education and training on its use, maintenance, and safety.
What OTs Assess in a Wheelchair Assessment
OTs consider a variety of factors during the assessment, including:
- Medical Profile: Awareness of a specific diagnosis or prognosis relevant to the wheelchair need, and whether the condition is temporary, stable or progressive in nature.
- Posture and Seating: Ensuring proper alignment to prevent discomfort and long-term health issues, as well as to facilitate functional goals.
- Mobility Needs: Determining the ability to move, self-propel and drive or level of assistance required for effective mobility.
- Daily Activities: Understanding how you will use the wheelchair in your everyday life.
- Environment: Understanding various settings your wheelchair will be used in.
- Safety Concerns: Ensuring the wheelchair is safe for your specific circumstances.
Collaboration
Furthermore, OTs often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, doctors, physiatrists and rehabilitation specialists, to ensure a comprehensive and thorough understanding of your medical situation. They also collaborate with medical equipment vendors, in order to recommend the most suitable wheelchair system, considering the most up-to-date equipment available. Finally, they collaborate with you and your family members, if you are in agreement. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of your health and lifestyle are considered, and the best solution is identified.
Examples of Recommended Equipment
- Standard Manual Wheelchair: A manual wheelchair may be considered for the most active users with the ability to self-propel and sit for longer periods of time. They can also be designed to be attendant-propelled, in which case the sizing needs of the individual most likely to be pushing it will also be considered. Features like specialized seating and power add-on can also be considered, to offer greater support and independence.
- Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair: This type of equipment may be considered for individuals who have more complex postural needs or require greater pressure redistribution, as these wheelchairs enable changes of seating angle and pressure redistribution while maintaining support and reducing shearing effects on the skin. This type of wheelchair may also help improve the line of vision and increase the sitting tolerance.
- Power Wheelchair: A motorized wheelchair may be recommended for individuals with limited body strength, postural and/or mobility endurance. The OT will consider the user’s functional/mobility goals, ability to control the wheelchair while navigating environments and the need for additional component features, such as power tilt or recline functions.
- Custom Seating: For individuals with more specific positioning/seating needs or complex medical history, a custom seating assessment addresses areas of the wheelchair user’s needs which may fall outside of the typical user profile, such as a backrest which requires custom molding and hip guides to maintain posture or a customized headrest shape and position to accommodate a fixed neck angle. Customization requires the OT to work closely with a medical equipment vendor skilled in wheelchair customizations to ensure that the final seating system is tailored to the user’s unique requirements and long-term needs.
As equipment becomes more complex, the lengthier and more detailed the assessment becomes. Longer assessments for complex needs are more costly than short assessments for simple needs.
Summary
A wheelchair assessment may require multiple visits to ensure the best fit and functionality. Every individual person’s situation is unique, and there is no “one size fits all” approach to selecting a wheelchair system.
The skills of an Occupational Therapist and a personalized, comprehensive assessment help ensure that the investment in a wheelchair meets your specific needs. Finding the right chair that fits will lead to your comfortable participation in the things you want to do and help get you to places you want to go.
Our Team
Our OT Works! team of OTs have experience in wheelchair assessments. We provide personalized, comprehensive evaluations that result in meaningful outcomes for our clients.
Contact Us Today
If you or someone you know need a wheelchair assessment, contact us today.
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Vancouver: 604.696.1066
Victoria: 250.999.8896
OT Works! Holiday Hours
OT Works! will be closed during the holidays.
We will be back to our regular hours on January 02, 2025, when we will be accepting new clients in Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Sea-to-Sky, Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Comox Valley.
| Monday, December 23, 2024 | Open, 9am-5pm |
| Tuesday, December 24, 2024 | Open, 9am-12pm |
| Wednesday, December 25, 2024 | Closed |
| Thursday, December 26, 2024 | Closed |
| Friday, December 27, 2024 | Closed |
| Monday, December 30, 2024 | Closed |
| Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | Closed |
| Wednesday, January 01, 2025 | Closed |
| Thursday, January 02, 2025 | Open, 9am-5pm |
| Friday, January 03, 2025 | Open, 9am-5pm |
Regular business hours resume on January 02.
We wish you a very Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year!
Get started with an OT
Our therapists at OT Works! are registered and in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC). Our approach is based on current research and evidence-based practice.
If you or someone you know could benefit from occupational therapy, contact us today!
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Vancouver: 604.696.1066
Victoria: 250.999.8896
Meet Japneet Brar: Occupational Therapist
We’re excited to introduce Japneet Brar, MScOT, to OT Works!
Japneet joined us in July 2024 and brings a strong academic background and diverse clinical experience.
She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto in 2022 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Systems from the University of British Columbia.
Japneet has worked in various settings, including acute care, community outreach, and clinics, where she has supported clients with conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, orthopedic injuries, chronic pain, and more.
Japneet offers her services to clients across the Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Surrey, and Langley. She works with individuals covered by WSBC, ICBC, private insurance, and self-paying clients. Japneet is a registered member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
We’re excited to have Japneet on board and look forward to the valuable contributions she’ll make.
Get started with an OT
If you or someone you know can benefit from the support of an occupational therapist, reach out to us today!
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Phone: 604.696.1066 ext. 1000.
Meet Katy Lovick: Occupational Therapist
We’re pleased to welcome Katy Lovick, new occupational therapist, to OT Works!
Katy joined OT Works! in January 2024. She brings with her a wealth of experience in helping clients with various diagnoses, such as brain injuries, neurological conditions, physical injuries, amputations, and mixed diagnoses.
Katy holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Glasgow Caledonian University, and a Bachelor of Sport & Fitness Leadership – specialization in exercise and wellness, from Camosun College.
Katy is passionate about the versatility of occupational therapy and has worked in both private and public health sectors. She embraces a client-centered approach, recognizing that everyone has unique strengths and challenges on their path to recovery. Katy has successfully supported clients in meaningful activities, including daily living tasks, returning to work, and engaging with their communities. She brings professionalism, experience, and a commitment to excellence to every client interaction.
In her spare time, Katy enjoys all the nature that Vancouver Island has to offer, travelling and getting active.
Katy serves a diverse clientele, including individuals covered by WSBC, ICBC, private-paying clients, and those with extended health/disability insurance. She provides her services across South Vancouver Island, including Victoria, Langford, Saanich, and Sidney.
Katy is a full registrant and in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC).
We’re thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the positive impact she’ll make in our community.
Get started with an OT
If you would like Katy’s help with your recovery or if someone you know could benefit from occupational therapy, contact us today!
Email: referrals@ot-works.com
Phone: 604.696.1066 ext. 1000.