Supporting Mental Health Through Emotional Regulation: How Occupational Therapy Helps Adults Feel More in Control

Mental health tips

We all experience emotions—but when those emotions become overwhelming, unpredictable, or difficult to express, they can impact every part of life. From relationships to routines, emotional regulation plays a central role in our daily wellbeing.

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, our occupational therapists work with adults living with disability, mental health conditions, or psychosocial challenges to build strategies for managing emotions, developing resilience, and creating a greater sense of control.

In this blog, we’ll explore what emotional regulation is, why it matters, and how occupational therapy can help you manage stress, anxiety, and emotional ups and downs with practical, goal-based support.

What Is Emotional Regulation?

Emotional regulation is your ability to:

• Understand what you’re feeling

• Express emotions in appropriate ways

• Cope with stress or change

• Stay calm in triggering situations

• Return to baseline after a difficult moment

When emotional regulation is difficult, you might experience:

• Mood swings or outbursts

• Anxiety or shutdowns

• Avoidance of people or tasks

• Difficulty managing relationships

• Trouble maintaining routines or responsibilities

Who Can Benefit From Emotional Regulation Support?

Our occupational therapy services in this area are helpful for adults with:

• ADHD or autism

• Depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder

• Trauma history or complex PTSD

• Psychosocial disabilities supported by the NDIS

• Cognitive or neurological conditions affecting self-awareness and behaviour

We also support individuals going through life transitions, burnout, or overwhelm—whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.

How Occupational Therapists Support Emotional Regulation

Occupational therapy for emotional wellbeing is:

• Person-centred: tailored to your goals and experiences

• Strengths-based: building on what you already do well

• Function-focused: improving your ability to live the life you want

We help clients:

1. Identify Emotional Triggers

   
   

   • Recognising patterns, settings, or tasks that cause stress or distress

   • Using self-monitoring tools like mood trackers or body maps

   
   

2. Develop Coping Strategies

   
   

   • Deep breathing, grounding, sensory strategies, movement breaks

   • Creating “calm kits,” safe spaces, or scripts for hard conversations

   
   

3. Build Emotional Awareness

   
   

   • Expanding emotional vocabulary

   • Understanding body signals (e.g. tension, restlessness, fatigue)

   
   

4. Create Supportive Routines

   
   

   • Structuring the day to include rest, self-care, connection, and achievement

   • Using planners, timers, and predictable patterns to reduce anxiety

   
   

5. Improve Communication and Boundaries

   
   

   • Practising assertiveness and saying “no”

   • Navigating difficult interactions at work, home, or in the community

   
   

6. Collaborate with Mental Health Teams

   
   

   • Working alongside psychologists, GPs, or support coordinators

   • Providing functional reports and strategy plans for NDIS reviews

   
   

Funded Support Through the NDIS

Occupational therapy for emotional regulation is often funded under:

• Improved Daily Living

• Improved Relationships

• Psychosocial Recovery Coaching

• NDIS Early Intervention (for younger adults)

We also provide documentation for plan reviews, housing needs, and access to additional supports like allied health assistants or group therapy.

Empowerment Starts With Regulation

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, we believe mental health is more than diagnosis or crisis support—it’s about creating the right systems and strategies so you can feel safe, in control, and connected.

Our clients often tell us that regulation work helps them:

• Feel less reactive and more in control

• Understand themselves better

• Make decisions that reflect their values and goals

• Reconnect with activities, people, and purpose

Want to Feel More in Control of Your Emotions?

Our occupational therapists are here to support your journey with compassionate, practical therapy that fits your life.

Join our waitlist today to book an initial emotional regulation assessment or planning session.