Did you know that April is Occupational Therapy Awareness month? In honor
of this recognition, Campbell County Health wanted to shed some light
on this profession and introduce our therapists.
Brittney Barelman is one of four occupational therapists (OT) with Campbell County Health
Rehabilitation Services in the
Stocktrail Building in Gillette, Wyoming. According to Brittney, Occupational Therapy is providing
clients with the skills needed to do what they love to do.
Brittney says she became an OT because she believes in the philosophy of
the profession. “Our identities are wrapped up in what we do and
the activities we complete on a daily basis—these activities provide
us with a level of self-worth. When we lose the capability to do what
we love, we lose a part of ourselves,” she says. “Our job
as occupational therapists is to restore those capabilities and in turn
restore one’s sense of identity.”
Brittney earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Biology from
Augustana University and a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the
University of North Dakota to become an Occupational Therapist. She says the best thing about being
an OT is how much fun she has doing her job. She helps people live life
to its fullest, meaning that she gives, “people the resources needed
to optimize what they need and want to do in life – in all aspects,” she says.
She is very interested in upper extremity orthopedic rehabilitation, which
means she likes taking care of hands, elbows and shoulders, and has pursued
more education in the following: dry needling, Upper Extremity Manual
Techniques and Exercise Therapy, Touch Bionic i-Limb Prosthetic Training,
KT Tape Practitioner, Donatelli Shoulder Assessment and Treatment, WorkWell
Functional Capacity Evaluation Certified, and Vestibular Rehabilitation.
According to Brittney, the Occupational Therapy Department at CCH is unique
because they treat a broad range of individuals and diagnoses, and provide
a well-rounded knowledge base. “Our organization works closely with
other therapeutic disciplines allowing us to address treatment from multiple
angles which is very beneficial to our clients. CCH provides the most
comprehensive care available in the region,” she says.
Thank you, Brittney, for being a part of the team at Occupational Therapy
at CCH Rehabilitation Services.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people
of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through
the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Unlike other professions,
occupational therapy helps people function in all of their environments—for
example, at home, work, school and in the community—as well as addresses
the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects of their well-being
through activities. Occupational therapy services are available to patients
at the Stocktrail Building, or in the comfort of their own home. Learn
more about Occupational Therapy with Campbell County Health Rehabilitation
Services at
www.cchwyo.org/rehab.