S8E04 - When OT practice ownership gets real
In this week’s episode, Sarah and Alyce go off-script (in the best way) and unpack the realities of practice ownership and employment in OT - from unexpected knock-backs and “rejection” moments, to the high-stakes responsibilities that come with employing staff. They explore psychosocial hazards, trauma exposure, and why psychological safety isn’t a “nice to have” - it’s a core part of running a business and supporting a workforce working in complex systems like the NDIS. The episode also dives into ethical offboarding, client handovers, and how to navigate transitions with integrity.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- Why therapists often aren’t used to “try-outs,” knock-backs, or rejection and what happens when it finally hits
- What “exposure therapy” looks like for business owners (and why it can feel brutal)
- The realities of PCBU responsibility and sending staff into unpredictable environments
- Psychosocial hazards in OT work: trauma exposure, overload, low control, and how to respond
- Ethical offboarding: handovers, notice periods, and why communication matters
- The client transition dilemma: when clients want to follow the therapist, and what choice & control means in practice
- The practical limits of “flexibility” in paediatric caseloads (after-school capacity is real)
- A reminder: OTA members can access EAP supports
Additional links
OT Unplugged - Adelaide Friends of the Podcast event
We’re bringing the OT Unplugged Networking Night to an iconic venue in Adelaide on the evening of the 2026 ATSA expo – and you’re invited!
