Elemental Occupational Therapy

17/05/2026

I asked one of my young clients this week for some feedback. ‘What do you like best about coming here?’
‘You’ she said. ‘The thing I like best is you’.
Obviously I was absolutely choked 🥹💗💗💗
However, there’s also some science behind this… See, the thing is, research shows us that it’s not only the specific TYPE of therapy that influences its success…but also (and more so) the RELATIONSHIP a client has with their therapist.
The quality of your connection is absolutely paramount. Read all the books, do all the courses, gain all of the qualifications - but the number one tool you have in your therapeutic toolbox is YOU. And the way you choose to connect with others 💚

15/05/2026

Our little tree 💚

04/05/2026

We know that being outdoors is healing on so many levels. But what if you can’t get outside?

How can you access the benefits of nature without leaving the house? Here are some simple ideas for doing just that:

1, Natural light. Open up your curtains or blinds. Sit by your window. Allow that daylight to pour into your eyes. It boosts serotonin and balances our circadian rhythm.

2, Nature sounds. Can you focus on the birdsong outside your window? Can you listen to forest sounds or rolling waves on an app? Nature sounds shift our autonomic nervous system from ‘fight or flight’ to ‘rest and digest’.

3, Plants. Do you have houseplants? They improve air quality and are known to improve mood and reduce fatigue. Can you smell the soil? A compound in soil directly interacts with our brain chemistry to impact mood.

4, Natural fibres. Consider using natural textiles inside your house to provide a tactile connection to the outdoors. Jute, h**p, wool, silk - all support a healthier indoor environment through biophilic design.

03/05/2026

Knowing when to start therapy is crucial and very nuanced. Getting it right can mean the difference between a positive, productive, meaningful journey - and one which re traumatises or causes additional distress.

But knowing when to end is also absolutely critical. It’s important that our relationship benefits you. And it’s important that we recognise when you have gained the confidence and skills to continue your journey without me. It’s always the aim - despite how poignant it is to see you go.

I pride myself on my relationships with the people who choose to start therapy. They mean a LOT to me. And I love to be part of their journey. Saying goodbye is always hard. But it’s also very very important. 💗

26/04/2026

Wanna hear something that might surprise you? 🙏

Post traumatic growth is waaaaaay more common than post traumatic stress.

We are literally hardwired for resilience and built to withstand the most tragic of adversities.

This is not to say that life isn’t hard. Life is terribly, painfully, agonisingly and heartcrushingly difficult. But you my friend - you have all of the potential to survive and to thrive despite. You were made that way 💗

14/04/2026

Well I was not expecting to meet these guys at The Sycamore Gap site today 🤩💚

These lovely fellas went on to make a donation to the service once I told them about it - so I left them a copy of our not-for-profit book.

Still available to buy on the link in my bio. All proceeds going towards supporting bereaved adults and children of the North East.

12/04/2026

Do you wanna know a secret….?
Despite what you might imagine - my work is joyful, restorative and mostly uplifting. Not at lot of people know that 💗
As an Occupational Therapist, my interest lies in adaptation. We work together to help you adjust to life alongside loss. This is often positive, validating and even at times exhilarating.
We don’t spend long periods talking about your loss. We may need to tenderly revisit your pain, we may explore theories of the grieving process, but mostly we will consider how you might learn to live a full, rewarding life whilst respecting the reality of your loss. It’s very positive work and an absolute joy for me to engage with 💗

If you’d like to work with me, feel free to contact me via my website, or email [email protected]

10/04/2026

I have space for one or two fully funded young people from June. Feel free to message or email to enquire 💚

05/04/2026

Debs and Claire are running a marathon for us!!!!!!!!!! Next week!!!!!! 😳🎉🎉🎉
Please donate to help us to keep on helping others 💗

Every one of us experiences grief — and no one should have t… Deborah Pritchard needs your support for Support Elemental Occupational Therapy & Our First Marathon

30/03/2026

Local businesses - Would you like to sponsor our monthly family sessions?

There were 9 adults and 5 children/young people at the family drop-in this morning. All with lived experience of bereavement. All with words of support, hugs to give and insights to share.

This is such an important community and I hope to see it grow and grow. Watching the children develop and form friendships, and watching the adult connections evolve and ripen is just an enormous privilege.

I’d love to access some sponsorship to keep these running. Perhaps a business or organisation would like to help us fund these drop-ins and enable us to sustain and to grow? If you have any leads or ideas, do please let us know 🙏💚