Choosing the Best Occupational Therapist in New Hampshire

Let's say you are a resident of New Hampshire and for what ever reason you are in need of an occupational therapist. Maybe you were playing softball and threw out your shoulder, maybe you were sitting in your car stopped at a traffic light and a distracted driver rammed into the back end of your car or maybe you are experiencing an illness that is robbing you of your strength and flexibility. Whichever scenario we use, the bottom line is that you want to find an occupational therapist to design a program to help you regain your mobility, strength and flexibility. Where do you begin the search?

It would be great if you knew someone who has used the services of a therapist and could provide you the name of an excellent professional. In many cases this may actually work. Maybe your friend Tom used a therapist and he thinks she is absolutely perfect. However, you might want to first check to be sure that Tom's therapist has the experience you are looking for. For example, if it turns out that the person your friend recommended actually worked with Tom's daughter and primarily works with children then this might not be a good fit.

Licensure requirements in the State of New Hampshire say that a therapist must meet the following criteria: 1) Must be at least 17 years of age 2) Be of good moral character 3) Must complete an academic program in occupational therapy accredited by the American Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or its successor organization. 4) Complete a minimum of six months of supervised fieldwork experience 5) Applicants for Certification for the use of Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) who are not currently licensed in New Hampshire as a Physical Therapist must also either hold a currently valid certificate issued by the 6) Hand Therapy Certification Commission or complete professional education consisting of six hours in ultrasound modalities and 15 hours relating to electrical stimulation modalities; and demonstrate competencies in a supervised clinical application (SCA)

A therapist in New Hampshire must also pass the national certification examination, after having completed all related course work and earned a high-level degree that will make her eligible to take the certification exam. For a complete list of the requirement visit the New Hampshire government website. The site also provides contact number should you have questions regarding the credentials of a therapist or other relation questions.

Another way to find a therapist is to ask your doctor to recommend someone. While you probably will not have any great difficulty finding an occupational therapist in New Hampshire to help you, remember that this is a person you will be spending time with on a regular basis so you want someone who is competent, compassionate and easy to be around. And once you are back to your old self you can get out and enjoy a fishing excursion on Lake Winnipesaukee, go hiking on White Mountain and pay a visit to Daniel Webster's birthplace near Franklin.