What exactly is occupational therapy, and how can it help someone recovering from a traumatic brain injury?

On this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Anna, an occupational therapist at Universal Institute in Livingston, NJ, for a conversation about what occupational therapy really looks like in brain injury rehabilitation.

Anna explains why occupational therapy is about much more than getting a job. OT focuses on meaningful everyday activities—from getting dressed and using the bathroom to eating, writing, managing money, preparing for employment, socializing, and becoming more independent in the community.

She also breaks down some of the challenges people with TBI can experience, including changes in muscle tone, fine motor skills, coordination, range of motion, and the ability to relearn everyday tasks. Sometimes something as simple as picking up a fork can require significant neurological and physical retraining.

The conversation also explores the emotional and behavioral side of recovery, including frustration, self-regulation, impulsivity, and adapting to life after brain injury.

Anna shares her own journey into occupational therapy, why she chose to work with adults, and what she loves about working at Universal Institute. And, of course, Chris and Eric get into the fun stuff—including Dungeons & Dragons, art, music, Green Day, horror movies, Star Wars, cheese, and more.

If you've ever wondered what occupational therapy is, how OT helps after TBI, or what brain injury rehabilitation looks like beyond traditional physical therapy, this episode is a great place to start.

Truly Universal: Life After TBI is a podcast about the people, experiences, challenges, humor, and everyday victories that make up life after traumatic brain injury.

Recorded at Universal Institute's Livingston, NJ location.