Emotional Regulation | Occupational Therapy Adelaide
Emotional regulation is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions to support mental wellbeing and daily functioning. It involves identifying feelings, responding to triggers, and staying calm during distress. Difficulties in this area can affect relationships, focus, and daily responsibilities. At Thrive Health Therapies, we help individuals build emotional regulation skills to manage emotions, enhance resilience, and confidently engage in home, school, work, and social activities.
What is Emotional Regulation?
Emotional regulation refers to the ability to identify, understand, and manage emotions effectively. It is a key component of emotional intelligence and plays a significant role in how individuals navigate the challenges of daily life. Emotional regulation is not about suppressing emotions but rather about managing them in a way that promotes positive outcomes and well-being.
Emotional regulation develops over time as individuals grow and interact with their environment. It involves recognising emotions, expressing them appropriately, and using strategies to cope with overwhelming feelings. Skills like self-soothing, problem-solving, and delaying gratification are all part of emotional regulation.
Why is Emotional Regulation Important?
Emotional regulation is fundamental to overall well-being and quality of life. It impacts every aspect of a person's life, including their relationships, academic or work performance, and mental health.
Benefits of Emotional Regulation:
Improved Relationships: Being able to communicate feelings effectively and respond empathetically strengthens connections with others.
Better Decision-Making: Regulating emotions allows individuals to think clearly and make decisions based on logic rather than impulsive reactions.
Enhanced Mental Health: Emotional regulation reduces the risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders.
Increased Resilience: Coping with challenges and setbacks becomes more manageable with strong emotional regulation skills.
Academic and Workplace Success: Emotional regulation is linked to higher productivity, better focus, and effective problem-solving in both academic and professional settings.
Emotional regulation supports an individual’s ability to engage in learning, interact with peers, and manage transitions.
What Might Difficulties with Emotional Regulation Look Like?
Difficulties with emotional regulation can manifest in various ways and may affect individuals differently depending on their age and circumstances.
Signs of Emotional Regulation Difficulties:
Frequent Outbursts: Intense emotional reactions, such as tantrums or meltdowns, that seem disproportionate to the situation.
Difficulty Calming Down: Struggling to self-soothe or return to a calm state after becoming upset.
Impulsivity: Acting out or making decisions based on strong emotions without considering the consequences.
Avoidance Behaviours: Avoiding situations or tasks that may provoke uncomfortable emotions.
Social Challenges: Difficulty maintaining friendships or interacting with peers due to emotional outbursts or miscommunication.
Low Frustration Tolerance: Becoming easily frustrated or overwhelmed by challenges or changes in routine.
Persistent Anxiety or Sadness: Experiencing prolonged periods of worry, sadness, or irritability that interfere with daily life.
In both children and adults, these challenges can significantly impact daily functioning and overall well-being.
How Do Occupational Therapists Help with Emotional Regulation?
Occupational therapists (OTs) play a vital role in supporting individuals with emotional regulation challenges. Their holistic approach considers the person’s emotional, social, sensory, and environmental needs to develop tailored strategies for managing emotions effectively.
The Role of Occupational Therapy:
Assessment and Understanding: OTs conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the individual’s strengths, challenges, and triggers. This may involve observations, interviews, and collaboration with parents, teachers, or other professionals.
Building Emotional Awareness: Therapists help individuals recognise and label their emotions. For children, this may involve using visual aids, storytelling, or role-playing activities. Adults might engage in reflective exercises or mindfulness practices.
Developing Coping Strategies: OTs teach practical strategies for managing emotions, such as:
Deep breathing exercises
Progressive muscle relaxation
Creating a sensory toolkit (e.g., fidget tools, weighted blankets)
Using visual schedules to manage transitions
Enhancing Self-Regulation Skills: OTs support the development of self-regulation by incorporating techniques like:
Zones of Regulation: A framework that categorises emotions into coloured zones, helping individuals identify their emotional state and appropriate responses.
Social-Emotional Learning: Activities that promote empathy, perspective-taking, and problem-solving.
Addressing Sensory Processing Needs: For some individuals, sensory processing difficulties can contribute to emotional regulation challenges. OTs may design sensory-friendly environments or recommend sensory integration therapies to help manage sensitivities.
Collaborating with Families and Educators: OTs provide guidance and resources to caregivers, teachers, and other support networks. This collaboration ensures consistency in strategies across different environments.
Building Routine and Structure: Consistent routines and clear expectations can provide a sense of security and predictability, reducing emotional stress.
How We Deliver Occupational Therapy at Thrive Health Therapies
Thrive Health Therapies offers community-based, clinic-based, and telehealth occupational therapy.
Community-Based Services: We provide community-based occupational therapy in your home, school or kindergarten, or a location convenient to you throughout metropolitan Adelaide. Learn more about our service areas.
Clinic-Based Services: We provide clinic-based sessions at our Findon clinic.
Telehealth Services: We also offer comprehensive telehealth services, providing clients with convenient, video-based therapy consultations for those who may have difficulty travelling to our clinic or prefer the convenience of remote support.
Funding Options for Occupational Therapy
We accept a variety of funding options, making augmentative and alternative communication therapy accessible for everyone:
Private Health Insurance
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans (GP Team Care Arrangements)
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
Why Choose Our Occupational Therapy Services?
No wait time: We can start working with paediatric or adult clients straight away!
Experienced: Our occupational therapists have extensive experience working with individuals of all ages.
Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing occupational therapy services across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school or kindergarten, or at a location convenient to them.
Clinic space: Our Findon clinic has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of presentations and disabilities.
Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised therapy plan based on their unique needs and goals.
Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health.
NDIS Registered: We are proudly registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Home Care Package (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP): We accept a variety of funding options, helping our clients access the support they need.
LGBTQIA+ friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people and families.
FAQs About Emotional Regulation
If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com
-
Emotional regulation is the ability to identify, understand, and manage emotions effectively. It involves recognising emotions, expressing them appropriately, and using strategies to cope with overwhelming feelings.
-
Emotional regulation is crucial for maintaining mental health, building relationships, achieving goals, and managing stress. It supports resilience, better decision-making, and overall well-being.
-
Yes, occupational therapists provide personalised strategies to help individuals manage emotions, develop coping skills, and address sensory or social challenges that may contribute to difficulties with emotional regulation.
-
No! We can start working with new clients right away.
Once we have received a referral form with all of your details, we are able to book an Initial Assessment as soon as possible, depending on your availability.
You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
-
If you are funded through Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or Chronic Disease Management (CDM) we need the appropriate referral documentation from your GP.
For all other funding sources you can refer yourself or your child directly via our online referral form, or reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
-
Referring is easy! You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
-
Yes! As a registered NDIS provider, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants.
As a NDIS registered provider, we are also able to offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.
-
As a registered NDIS provider, interpreter services are available free of charge for NDIS participants. Please inform us if you require this service, and we will arrange this for you.
-
We accept referrals from a wide range of funding sources, including the NDIS, home care packages, Department of Veterans Affairs, Chronic Disease Management (previously known as EPC) and private clients. Learn more about our accepted funding sources.
As a NDIS registered provider we are also able to accept participants who have chosen to have their funds managed by NDIA.
-
Prices vary between services. Our therapists work with you to ensure you get the best program of services within your budget allocation.
Please contact us for a personalised quote.
Your Trusted NDIS Registered Provider in Adelaide
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for individuals with permanent and significant disabilities. As a registered NDIS provider in Adelaide, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants.
As a NDIS registered provider, we offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.
Ready to get started?
It’s easy!
Referral Form
Fill out our easy online referral form and we’ll be in touch!
