Thursday Aug 08, 2024

Ep. 02: Tai Chi In A Mental Health Service

In this podcast we interview Charlotte Rondel, an Occupational Therapist based in Jersey. Charlotte implements tai chi and qigong movements into her clinical practice with patients in a primary care mental health service.

Guest Profile

Charlotte Rondel qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2006 from Southampton University. Also a qualified fitness instructor, she finds meaningful ways to support people to be more physically active and confident in how they move in everyday activity. Charlotte has worked in a range of settings including reablement, general medical and orthopaedic inpatients, community mental health and primary care mental health.

Interview Summary

1. Integration of Tai Chi in Mental Health Services:

Charlotte, an occupational therapist, incorporates Tai Chi into her practice in a primary care mental health team in Jersey.
She uses Tai Chi across various settings, including primary care, secondary mental health services, and inpatient wards.

2. Benefits for Patients:

Tai Chi is used to address anxiety, mood difficulties, and depression.
Patients report improved mood, increased body awareness, and better relaxation.
It's particularly beneficial for older adults, potentially helping with fall prevention.

3. Alignment with Occupational Therapy:

Tai Chi's holistic approach aligns well with occupational therapy principles.
It emphasizes prevention and considers the interconnection of mind and body.

4. Practical Implementation:

Charlotte introduced Tai Chi gradually, starting with staff wellbeing sessions.
She incorporates it into one-on-one sessions and home visits.
Group sessions are conducted in various settings, including day centers and inpatient wards.

5. Outcome Measures:

A simple 1-10 mood scale is used before and after sessions to track improvements.
There's flexibility in choosing appropriate outcome measures.

6. Eight Active Ingredients:

Charlotte references the "Eight Active Ingredients" model from Peter Wayne's book, The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi.
She focuses on elements like embodied spirituality, active relaxation, and intention in her sessions.

7. Challenges and Adaptations:

Dealing with varying patient speeds and interpretations of instructions.
Adapting language to be trauma-informed and accessible to different patient groups.

8. Professional Development:

Importance of regular personal practice to improve confidence and skill in teaching.
Continuous learning through ongoing engagement with training resources.

9. Patient-Centered Approach:

Recognizing that patients may benefit even if they don't perform movements "perfectly".
Adapting to individual needs and interpretations of instructions.

10. Versatility of Tai Chi:

Can be used as both a rehabilitation tool and a wellness practice.
Applicable across different age groups and mental health conditions.

In Summary:

Tai Chi can be effectively integrated into mental health services, offering a holistic approach that aligns well with occupational therapy and other health professions. It emphasizes the practical aspects of implementation, potential benefits for patients, and the importance of adaptability in clinical practice.

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Are you a rehabilitation professional? Then you may like to join our class leading CPD course, Tai Chi for Therapists.

Created for all registered allied health professionals, clinicians, and other rehabilitation professionals who would like to learn how to implement evidence-based tai chi and qigong movements into their clinical practice.

If you’re a physiotherapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, occupational or physiotherapy assistant, or other allied health professional do get in touch, we’re here to help.