Occupational Therapy for Depression: How Everyday Life Becomes Part of Recovery

Author: Gio Arcuri, OT, MSc

Occupational Therapist • University Lecturer • Founder, Clinique Vivago

Date: January 23, 2026

When "doing" becomes difficult

Depression can affect far more than mood. It often disrupts energy levels, motivation, routines, relationships, work participation, and the ability to engage in meaningful daily activities. While psychotherapy and medication are commonly discussed treatment options, occupational therapy plays a distinct and complementary role by focusing on how depression impacts everyday functioning — and how people can gradually re-engage in life.

Occupational therapy in mental health is grounded in the idea that what we do every day matters. By addressing daily routines, roles, habits, environments, and meaningful occupations, occupational therapy supports recovery in practical, concrete, and sustainable ways.

Understanding Depression Through an Occupational Lens

Depression is associated with changes in cognition, energy, emotional regulation, and motivation, all of which directly affect daily functioning. Research consistently shows that people experiencing depression often struggle with:

• Initiating and maintaining daily routines

• Personal care and household tasks

• Work, school, or volunteering

• Social participation and relationships

• Leisure, creativity, and pleasure

• Decision-making and concentration

Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, occupational therapy examines how these changes interfere with participation in meaningful activities, also known as occupations (World Federation of Occupational Therapists).

From an occupational perspective, depression can lead to:

• Occupational imbalance (too much effort, too little restoration)

• Occupational disruption (loss of routines or roles)

• Occupational deprivation (limited access to meaningful activities)

• Reduced sense of competence and identity

What Is Occupational Therapy for Depression?

Occupational therapy for depression focuses on supporting engagement in daily life, even when motivation, energy, or confidence are low. Interventions are tailored to the person’s lived experience, environment, and priorities.

Occupational therapists work collaboratively with clients to:

• Identify how depression affects daily functioning

• Reduce barriers to participation

• Adapt tasks and environments

• Build routines that support mental health

• Reintroduce meaningful activities at a manageable pace

Importantly, occupational therapy does not require a person to feel better before acting. Instead, it uses carefully graded action as a pathway to improved well-being.

Key Occupational Therapy Interventions for Depression

1. Rebuilding Daily Routines and Structure

Depression often disrupts sleep, meals, activity levels, and daily rhythm. Occupational therapists help clients:

• Establish realistic, flexible routines

• Break tasks into manageable steps

• Use external supports (visual schedules, reminders)

• Balance activity and rest

Research shows that restoring structure and daily rhythm can significantly support mood regulation and functional recovery (American Occupational Therapy Association).

2. Behavioral Activation Through Occupation

Behavioral activation is a well-supported approach in depression care. Occupational therapy applies this principle by focusing on meaningful activities, not just activity for activity’s sake.

Interventions may include:

• Identifying activities linked to values and identity

• Gradual re-engagement in pleasurable or meaningful occupations

• Reducing avoidance patterns through graded exposure

• Tracking activity-mood relationships

Studies indicate that engaging in valued activities can improve mood, self-efficacy, and overall functioning in people experiencing depression (Cuijpers et al.).

3. Supporting Energy, Fatigue, and Cognitive Load

Depression is frequently accompanied by mental and physical fatigue. Occupational therapists support clients by:

• Adjusting task demands

• Teaching pacing and energy conservation strategies

• Modifying environments to reduce cognitive overload

• Supporting attention and executive functioning in daily tasks

These strategies are particularly important for individuals balancing depression with work, caregiving, or academic responsibilities.

4. Identity, Roles, and Meaning

Depression often affects how people see themselves. Loss of roles (worker, student, parent, partner) can deepen distress.

Occupational therapy addresses:

• Role disruption and role recovery

• Identity beyond productivity

• Re-defining success and competence

• Reconnecting with personal values

Meaningful occupation has been strongly associated with mental well-being and recovery (Wilcock & Hocking).

5. Environmental and Contextual Interventions

Occupational therapists recognize that mental health does not exist in isolation. Environmental factors such as housing, social supports, workplace demands, and accessibility significantly influence recovery.

Interventions may involve:

• Modifying the home or work environment

• Supporting return-to-work or academic accommodations

• Enhancing social participation

• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams

This contextual focus is particularly relevant for people experiencing recurrent or situational depression.

Occupational Therapy Within an Interdisciplinary Approach

Occupational therapy for depression is often most effective when integrated with other supports, such as psychotherapy, medical follow-up, and community resources.

Each discipline plays a distinct role:

• Psychotherapy explores emotional processes and thought patterns

• Medical care addresses biological and physiological factors

• Occupational therapy focuses on function, participation, and everyday life

This collaborative approach aligns with best practices recommended by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

When Is Occupational Therapy Helpful for Depression?

Occupational therapy can be beneficial:

• During acute or chronic periods of depression

• During life transitions (return to work, school, parenting)

• When daily functioning feels overwhelming

• When motivation is low but change is desired

• As part of relapse prevention and long-term recovery

Occupational therapy is particularly valuable for individuals who feel “stuck” despite insight or motivation to improve.

Evidence Supporting Occupational Therapy in Depression

Research supports the role of occupational therapy in mental health recovery, particularly through:

• Activity-based interventions

• Routine and role restoration

• Environmental modification

• Participation-focused outcomes

Systematic reviews highlight that occupation-based interventions can reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life by targeting real-world functioning (Eklund et al.; AOTA).

Occupational Therapy and Recovery: A Practical Path Forward

Recovery from depression is not only about symptom reduction — it is about re-engaging with life in meaningful, sustainable ways. Occupational therapy offers a practical, compassionate, and individualized approach that meets people where they are and supports gradual reconnection with daily life.

By focusing on everyday activities, roles, and environments, occupational therapy helps transform recovery from an abstract goal into lived, tangible change.

About the author

Gio Arcuri, OT, MSc, is an occupational therapist, McGill University lecturer, healthcare entrepreneur, writer and CEO of Clinique de santé inclusive Vivago. He also is President of Fondation Vivago, advancing inclusive mental health. His work—on family-centered care, young adult mental health access, and more—appears in peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Gio is also a member of the mental health expert committee for Fondation Jeunes en tête and columnist for Les Connecteurs on Apple News and has been featured in La Presse and on AMI-télé, sharing his expertise widely. He champions evidence-based, accessible care, especially for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy’s role in mental health recovery.

Cuijpers, P., et al. (2007). Behavioral activation treatments of depression: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review.

Eklund, M., et al. (2017). Occupational engagement and mental health recovery. Journal of Occupational Science.

Wilcock, A. A., & Hocking, C. (2015). An occupational perspective of health.

World Federation of Occupational Therapists. (2016). Position statement on mental health.