Speaker: Lesley Phillips, OTR/L
Tell us about yourself.
Lesley Phillips: Hi, my name is Leslie Phillips. I was born and raised and have lived in Richmond, Virginia for most of my life. I've been an occupational therapist (OT) for 26 years and have loved every minute of it. Being an OT is my number one passion in life.
Why did you choose to focus on neurological rehab?
Lesley Phillips: I love helping people who've had strokes and brain injuries because you can make such a difference in their lives, as well as the lives of their loved ones. Rehab after a stroke or brain injury can be so long and difficult. It is so invigorating to see and help someone regain the use of [something like] their arm, and [watch them] be able to participate in the activities that they love and enjoy again.
How do you approach your work with patients?
Lesley Phillips: My personal approach is getting to know each and every patient, and then learn what is important to them. If an activity [I'm prescribing] is not meaningful to a person, they're not going to be fully engaged and, [as a result], they'll be unable to reach their full potential.
What makes Imago better or different from other rehab services?
Lesley Phillips: I think what makes Imago's therapy different is the cognitive behavioral approach of the stop, think, do, and check approach. This puts the patient in control of their own rehab. Also, the difference [between] treating the patients in their own home [as opposed to a clinic], [is that it] allows us to focus therapy [in the places] where they are doing their daily activities. This focuses therapy on the environment they live in every day like their own kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, family room or even yard.
How do you help patients achieve lasting improvement?
Lesley Phillips: I treat each patient as a unique individual. I put the person in the driver's seat of their own rehab therapy to focus on meaningful activities they want to perform in their own environment.
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