examples of personal statement for therapy

How to Write a Strong Professional Statement

Your Zencare professional statement serves as high-level overview of your practice, covering the clientele you serve, your therapeutic approach and style, and any basic information a client needs to know prior to starting therapy with you. Read on to learn how to make the most of this 3-5 paragraph written introduction.

(Don't want to deal with writing? Not to worry! You can request the Zencare team to write your professional statement .)

Professional Statement Writing Guide Click on any item to jump to that section.

1. basic guidelines.

2. Writing prompts

3. Sample template

4. Excellent examples

5. Reviewing your work

6. Advanced considerations

As you get started, here are some basic guidelines on formatting your professional statement!

• Length: We suggest writing about 250 words , with a minimum length of 100 words and a maximum length of 300 words. This tends to be a digestible amount of content for therapy seekers, and allows you to communicate just enough key information about your practice without becoming overwhelming.
• Structure: We recommend writing 3-5 paragraphs , written in the third person , in this rough outline (more detail below!): First paragraph: Describe your specialties and clientele Second paragraph: Describe your treatment approach Third paragraph: Describe your therapeutic style Fourth paragraph: Describe your relevant professional experience and any key logistic information about your practice.
• Tone: The professional statement is an opportunity for your clients to learn about you both as a professional and a person. Try to use a tone that conveys your expertise and professionalism, and include details that make you personable and relatable.

2. Sample template

Writer's block is real! We completely understand the uncertainty that can come with staring at a blank document. To make things easier for you, here's our " Professional Statement Mad Libs ."

Fill this out to get your professional statement written – and try to add some creative wording to it as well to make it unique to you! More information on each section below.

{Your full name} is a {credential}  in {neighborhood}. They work with {client demographics}. Many of {Your name}’s clients come in when {common challenges, symptoms, development points}. {Your name} is particularly passionate about serving {population}. They also have advanced training in the area of {niche specialty}.

{Your name} is trained in {approach}, which uses {describe how approach works}. In session, {Your name} focuses on {what happens in session with you}. This approach supports clients to {result of treatment}.

{Your name's} style is {describe style}. When a client first comes in, {describe therapeutic environment or how you build the treatment plan}. {Your name} is dedicated to providing a relationship that is {describe relationship}.

{Your name} received their {degrees, universities, study focus}. They gained experience at {fellowship, training institutes, previous employment} which enables them to {significance of experience}. Outside of private practice, they {personal or professional note}.

Download Your Professional Statement Guide

3. writing prompts.

As you're writing your professional statement, here are some prompts to get your creative juices flowing. Think how you'd describe your practice to a friend who wants to refer a colleague to you – how would you share each of these parts of your practice?

(1) First paragraph: Specialties and clientele

In the first paragraph, you want to immediately draw the reader in. Your first few sentences should give prospective clients a sense of "Oh, this therapist could be a great fit for me because they see clients struggling in the areas I need support with!"

The majority of therapy seekers are looking for help with general concerns, so be sure to include and allude to these if you see clients experiencing: anxiety, depression, stress, work and career, life transitions, relationship issues.

Here are some questions to help you think of your unique specialties and any niche clientele you want to market to:

• Who are the clients you work with most frequently? Who are your ideal clients?
• What are they struggling with when they enter your office?
• Why do they come to therapy with you?
• Are there any populations you are particularly well-positioned to serve?

(2) Second paragraph: Describe your treatment approach

In this paragraph, think of both the specific types of modalities that you are trained in, as well as how that translates to the client's experience. For example, you may be trained in cognitive behavioral therapy – to a client, that could mean understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and learning specific skills to interrupt unhealthy patterns.

Here are some prompts for communicating your treatment approaches:

• What therapeutic orientations are you most trained in and informed by?
• What happens in a therapy session with you?
• What skills or approaches do you use to guide clients in addressing challenges?
• How are their lives, relationships, self-concept, emotional responses different after treatment?

(3) Third paragraph: Therapeutic style

This paragraph is a great opportunity to describe your therapeutic style – are you more of a listener or active in therapy? Do you provide homework? Set concrete goals and measure progress? Focus on healing through the therapeutic relationship?

Here are some prompts to get you thinking about your therapeutic style:

• What do your clients most appreciate about you? What words do they use to describe sessions?
• What kind of relationship or environment do you seek to offer to new clients? What happens in a first session with you?
• How do you think about progress in therapy?

(4) Fourth paragraph: Professional experience and logistics

In this final paragraph, describe your relevant professional experience and any key logistic information about your practice.

• Think about the credentials, training, and work experiences you've gained. What trainings or experiences outside of private practice most influence your therapeutic framework?
• This is a good place to include any logistical information about your practice that can help clients access care. How, when, where do you currently offer sessions? For example: do you offering remote therapy? Do you have an office close to public transit and/or with lots of parking space? Do you have a therapy dog that accompanies sessions?

Here are some examples you can reference as you get started!

Example one

Marian Cooper is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Queens, NY, who works with individuals across the lifespan, with a focus on professional women. Many of her clients have found great success in their careers or academically, but struggle to feel connected in their relationships or at peace in their daily lives. Marian is particularly sensitive to clients facing moments of transition, like a move to the city, job loss, or breakup, when the delicate balance can seem to tremble, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt can emerge.

Marian’s approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based approach that focuses on helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, so that they can begin to make targeted change. She works to help clients understand their physical response to external stressors, and begin to problem-solve ways to introduce moments of calm, to choose to respond rather than react in the face of change.

Marian is focused on ensuring that her clients see real progress: her style is interactive, non-judgmental, and positions clients as the experts on where they are now, and where they want to go. A trauma-informed therapist, Marian is sensitive to the influence of past experiences on present challenges, and works closely with clients to reframe the narrative of their life in a way that increases self-confidence and compassion.

Marian’s first priority in starting with a new client is ensuring that they feel safe, heard, and like an equal partner in the therapeutic process. As a seasoned telehealth provider, she offers the convenience of remote sessions to help make therapy a core component of your self-care calendar.

Example two

Dr. Melba Nicholson Sullivan is a licensed clinical-community psychologist committed to promoting individual and collective resilience. Her clients are big thinkers, dreamers, and decision makers who sometimes find themselves held back by painful experiences of the past. Dr. Nicholson Sullivan treats old wounds with curiosity, creativity, and compassion, creating an opportunity for clients to move with greater freedom into their bright future.

Many of Dr. Nicholson Sullivan’s clients navigate feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression that have become overwhelming, and impact how they show up at work and in relationships. She works with clients to explore core beliefs about themselves, others, and the systems they exist within, co-creating practical strategies tailored to each client and their life journey.

Dr. Nicholson Sullivan’s therapeutic approach is rooted in mindfulness and human rights. She draws from her training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and executive coaching strategies in order to expand clients’ internal and external resources for healing, rest, and joy.

Dr. Nicholson Sullivan is committed to maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive practice, which serves as a safe harbor for people who identify as LGBTQIA and people of the global majority. In addition to her Midtown office, Dr. Nicholson Sullivan offers the flexibility of remote therapy sessions, and welcomes new clients to her online practice.

Example three

Dr. Todd Kray is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, where he welcomes both individual adults and couples who are seeking to create change in their lives. Many of his clients bring in emotional pain, whether the symptoms of anxiety and depression are taking a daily toll, relationships feel unbalanced and disconnected, or stress and self-criticism are impacting performance at work. Together, he supports clients to pull back the layers of present challenges in order to release painful past experiences and re-engage with their careers, their loved ones, and themselves in more meaningful ways.  

Therapy sessions with Dr. Kray integrate both insight-oriented and skills-based approaches. He gently challenges clients to explore the root cause of their symptoms, gaining new awareness into their emotional and relationship patterns. At the same time, he focuses on practical strategies, with an emphasis on relaxation and meditation practices, to help clients feel better in the here and now.

Having served as a consultant at local hospitals, Dr. Kray is uniquely skilled in working with those experiencing chronic pain, chronic illness, and other serious medical illnesses. He brings a special awareness to the healing power of the mind-body connection, and his office serves as a safe harbor to freely process pain and find relief.

Dr. Kray is committed to maintaining an inclusive practice. With a background in the arts, he is particularly sensitive to the creative process, and welcomes a wide range of creative professionals, freelancers, executives, parents, and young adults to his practice.

5. Reviewing your work!

Once your professional statement is written, here are some things to look out for and avoid :

• Therapy jargon
• Acronyms and abbreviations
• Rhetorical questions
• Vagueries, clichés, and anything that is unspecific to your practice
• Long lists of every diagnosis you would see or training experience that you've had
• More than one sentence on your speaking, writing, teaching, or other activities outside of private practice
• Quotes from other people

Get the next email on managing your private practice!

A writer at heart? Here are some tips for the advanced marketer!

General vs. specialized practices

There are two ways you might about how your Zencare professional statement is focused:

• General: For providers who may have specific interests, but are open to seeing clients outside of one demographic or diagnosis. This is the option we recommend for most providers, due to the nature of how therapist directories work: it’s helpful to appeal to the broadest base of potential clients, so that you can capture the attention of a wide pool and tailor your conversations to them as they proceed through the intake process. Read more on the case against specialization . For a more general professional statement, think about the structure of your professional statement as an inverted pyramid : start broad, covering information that will be relevant to most therapy seekers, and becoming increasingly narrow as you read through, highlighting details that speak to your current  and unique interests towards the end of the statement.
• Specialized : For providers who are experts within a highly specific niche, and only want new referrals for clients within that niche (ie providers who only see couples or only individuals recovering from eating disorders) . Note, choosing this path may mean a below average referral volume , since your profile may not appeal to the majority of therapy-seekers, but also less time fielding inquiries from clients who are not within your scope of practice. In tandem with other marketing strategies (offline networking; a well-rounded online presence), a specialized statement can be a good way to deepen your reach within the niche. In particular, know that through your word-of-mouth efforts, when a new prospective client is given your name, it’s highly likely they’ll still Google your practice to learn more and assess if it’s a fit for them. When they are seeking support for a specialized challenge, it’s helpful for you to be positioned as the clear expert in the field. so f ocus on your niche from the opening sentence , and make sure each paragraph ties back to it. What are the trainings you've taken that make you the expert in this niche? What skills or approaches do you use to address it? What does progress within this area look like?

Reviewing your profile as a whole

Remember that your professional statement is only one piece of a whole puzzle, and should it be considered within the context of the rest of your profile.

In particular, make sure that the areas you focus on in your professional statement are also captured within your Specialties, General expertise, Treatment approaches, and Clientele: these are the sections that determine what filters your practice appears under from the search page.

These sections should also be consistent with what you write in the professional statement to avoid any potential client confusion (for example, if your professional statement reads that you work with "adults of all ages," clientele should probably not include "Children").

Lastly, remember that you don't have to fit everything in your professional statement if it's covered elsewhere on the profile! For example, if a complete list of your previous employment is visible under Work and Education, you only need to mention the most important experiences in your statement.

Still stuck? If you're left starting at a blinking cursor on a blank page, we're here to help. Request the Zencare team to write your professional statement .

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Counselling Personal Statement

Sample Counselling Personal Statement

Having always pursued study and work that allows me to make an impact on the lives of the vulnerable through a range of therapeutic approaches, Occupational Therapy Counselling is an obvious field through which I can continue to develop these skills and passions. What excites me most about the potential of Counselling & Occupational Therapy is the focus on the promotion of health and wellbeing rather than on mediating the negative effects of health-related problems. Learning more about this inspiring approach to changing the lives of clients through studying a postgraduate diploma at a prestigious university will allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of making a similar impact in my own career.

I have always been interested in the ways in which different therapies can be applied within different situations. After completing my high school studies in my native Croatia, achieving strong grades throughout, I pursued this interest through the study of Psychology at Thames Valley University. I found that I particularly enjoyed modules related to the practical application of psychological therapy within the field of healthcare, such as Health Psychology and Counselling Psychology. This ultimately led to me undertaking an MSc in Health Psychology, where I studied elements of healthcare promotion and communication, alongside the design and execution of healthcare research. Study in these areas has not only offered an excellent foundation of broader psychological knowledge but has also introduced me to principles which are fundamental to Occupational Therapy, including experience of communicating with clients to assess and respond to their individual needs.

I have gained experience of enacting these principles within the workplace through my work with the East London NHS trust. Starting out as a Social Therapist and now working as an Assistant Practitioner, I have been responsible for co-designing and implementing care plans for adults with a range of mental health difficulties. This includes using strong communication skills to talk to clients and colleagues about the best way to proceed in the case of each individual service user. We offer a range of solutions, based on the needs of our clients, which may include physical and psychological therapies, supervised activities and employment advice. I also work alongside nursing staff, psychologists and Occupational Therapists to improve their in-patient experience through facilitating therapeutic groups; including anxiety/anger management, problem solving, health promotion, relaxation and other ward based activities. I have found that the most rewarding element of the job, as you might expect, is the promotion of recovery and he focus on social inclusion. The ultimate goal of all therapies must surely be to allow the patient to live the fullest life possible, and it is the constant, dedicated work towards this goal that I have observed Occupational Therapists pursuing that inspires me to join their ranks.

In my spare time away from work, I have been keen to continue my studies for some years. To this end, I have gained a greater idea of current developments within the field of Occupation Therapy by reading books and journals dedicated to the subject. Combining this theoretical knowledge with my practical, professional relationship with the discipline, forged through my job, I believe I have gained a good idea of the challenges and rewards that the field offers and my suitability to pursue it.

Having worked hard to gain the knowledge and skill necessary to play a proactive and essential role in the lives of those in need, I am keen to continue improving on my ability to make an impact by completing a postgraduate diploma and, ultimately, registering with the Health Professional’s Council and applying for membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists.

We hope this sample Counselling personal statement has been helpful

Personal Statement

• The Application Process
• UCAS Criteria
• Choosing a Degree
• Why is a Good Personal Statement Important?
• Your Personal Statement
• Example Personal Statements
• Personal Statement Help
• Personal Statement Format
• Points to Remember
• The UK Tuition Fees System
• Student Loans
• Student Finance
• Full Subjects List
• Disabled UCAS Applicants
• A-Level Results Day
• A Guide to Results Day
• Clearing & A Level Results Day
• A Guide to Clearing
• Visas to study in the UK
• Missed the January UCAS deadline?
• No University Offers…What Next?
• Interview Skills
• PGCE Interviews
• Applying to Oxbridge
• Before you go to University
• University Checklist
• Studying Abroad
• Applying to University Overseas
• Apply to study Internationally
• Preparing for Studying Abroad
• Benefits of Studying Abroad
• Taking a Gap Year
• Should You Take A Gap Year?
• Study Independently
• Choosing Accommodation

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How Do I Write My PTCAS Essay (Personal Statement)?

The PT School application process is challenging, to say the least. But, it’s incredibly rewarding, because at the end of this process you’ll be on your way to starting your career and getting your dream job as a physical therapist.

One of the most important parts of the PT School application process is the personal statement , or the essay . Each year, the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service ( PTCAS ) sets a specific prompt for the personal statement. This personal statement is submitted to every school to which you apply. In short, it’s a chance for you to set yourself apart from the other applicants. So, how do you write your PTCAS essay ? Let’s dive in to learn more about this part of the application process, and learn more about our services to help you with your personal statement here !

What is a Personal Statement?

A Personal Statement is an essay that explains your background and allows you to describe yourself. It’s a common requirement for graduate schools and jobs, so it’s especially important for you to use the personal statement to explain why you want to pursue this opportunity.

A Personal Statement can be a general description of yourself or it can answer a specific prompt . It’s common for graduate schools to ask specific questions for the Personal Statement.¹ In this case, the Personal Statement is a chance for you to show the admissions committee who you are beyond the data in your application . In an essay format, you can expand upon your character, goals, and background, allowing the admissions committee to get to know you.

What Should I Know About a Physical Therapy Personal Statement?

PTCAS Personal Statement prompts can vary in topics, but ultimately they touch on the physical therapy profession. It’s important that you answer the PTCAS question in your essay. But you should also view this as an opportunity to describe yourself to the admissions committees. Keep in mind that these committees are reviewing hundreds, or even thousands, of applications each year. Use this opportunity to set yourself apart .

In your essay, you should explain why you want to become a physical therapist, but try to avoid using a common reason such as “I want to help people.” Show the admissions committee your passion for physical therapy and prove to them why you belong in physical therapy school and why you’re going to become a great physical therapist.

Above all, remember that through the 4,500 characters in your essay, you’re not just telling the admissions committees who you are… you’re showing them.

Contact us today with any questions or for help with your PT school personal statement!

Lab P. The Personal Statement // Purdue Writing Lab. Purdue Writing Lab. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/preparing_an_application/writing_the_personal_statement/index.html. Published 2020. Accessed July 26, 2020.

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Complete Personal Statement Guide for Pre-OT Occupational Therapy School Programs

Introduction.

This detailed guide will provide you with tips, do’s, don’ts, examples, and other helpful things along the way to write your personal statement for OT school.

You may be thinking:

• Where do I even start with writing a personal statement?
• Maybe I can look for some more examples online.
• My story does not seem as exciting as these examples.
• These examples don’t really relate to me.
• I don’t like the writing style or “feeling” that these examples give me.
• How do I even go about this?

Or maybe you didn’t have any of these thoughts and you are just looking for some extra tips to polish up your personal statement before you send it to the world. This guide will still help!

While this guide was written with Pre-OT’s for occupational therapy personal statements in mind, it of course can apply to other professions such as physical therapy, speech therapy, PA, RN, even undergraduate programs.

I am not part of any admissions committee or affiliated with them in any way. However, as a graduate of an occupational therapy program, I also read and edited many other personal statements for friends and family. This guide is not a guarantee that you will get accepted or a guarantee that you will produce the best personal statement. This is just my opinion and unfortunately, the writing is all up to you!

Fortunately, you already have the hard part done – building your education, experiences, personal character, and goals!

Not quite there yet, that’s okay too – this guide will give you a preview of how to prepare to write your personal statement.

The Process

The process of writing a personal statement may involve something like:

Reflecting, getting something typed on the screen, getting writer’s block, getting distracted, taking a break, editing it, reflecting, typing some ideas, deleting those ideas, repeat, have it proofread, reading it out loud, reflecting, make more edits, and you’re done! While this sounds like a lot, it’s doable.

Set-up and Preparation

Start Early

When you feel like you are ready to write your personal statement, start writing! Don’t wait until the last minute to write. Personal statements require editing, giving it some time for your mind to clear to re-read, having it proofread by someone else, and making more edits.

Install Grammarly

We use Grammarly as a browser extension for its spellcheck and grammar check. It is really good at catching mistakes as you go and the free version is all you really need to get some basic editing done. This allows you to focus on the writing and not the spelling. Software like Grammarly also helps if you especially have a hard time with writing in general. While it can suggest edits for errors, it is up to you to write the content.  AI is not quite there yet, but we are close!

Cheating & plagiarizing

I just have to say it. Don’t cheat or plagiarize. Don’t hire someone to write for you. I hear stories of students cheating here or there, so it must still be happening. Grad school is not the time to jeopardize all the hard work you put in.

Have a back-up system for your document

It would be a huge set-back to lose all your hard work. These days, you can easily use the cloud such as Dropbox or Google Drive/Docs for storing your files. This goes for your personal statement document as well as your graduate school application files such as notes, deadlines, resumes, etc. All it takes is a coffee spilled on your laptop for you to lose all your hard work (it happened to my classmate in OT school). Better yet, back up all your data that is important to you. Lectures, recordings, assignments.

Write in a place you feel productive

It doesn’t have to be a quiet library. It just has to be what works. If it’s a coffee shop, then go there. Write in a place you associate with positive work (but also don’t get distracted too easily, e.g. a cat cafe) – like to your favorite study area.

It’s okay if it doesn’t seem perfect or even good at first

After all, you are writing something like this probably for the first time, with a unique set of experiences for a specific intention of impressing the OT’s admissions panel. It can be difficult for artists to create art or music, or write a book in one session. So don’t stress it!

• Re-research the profession, job description, duties, etc. BLS.gov is my favorite go-to for profession research. We have a video on it here .
• Follow the personal statement prompt and instructions. Read it several times to make sure. If there is a word limit, don’t go over. Double-check before you submit.
• Pay attention to the file format that is requested from the programs. Word doc? PDF? Make sure your file actually opens after you upload it and is not corrupt, if possible. If you are uploading to a central application like OTCAS, make sure you meet those guidelines.
• Write in the same tense and person throughout (“I”, first-person is fine).
• Write in an order that makes sense and flows to the reader, e.g. chronologically.
• Write with a purpose. Each sentence should be there for a reason and not be filler. Exclude extra information or too specific of information that doesn’t contribute to your story.
• Example: Nowadays, I want to be an occupational therapist first and foremost because I want to help people and really make a difference in each of their lives.
• Better example: My goal is to become an occupational therapist who makes a difference in people’s lives.
• Warning : I wouldn’t you use this specific example in your personal statement because it’s probably been overused. Try to be creative by saying how you want to “help” people in  other ways .
• Be honest, try to copy an example’s voice, do not write over-the-top or fabricate the story.
• Be politically correct and culturally sensitive.
• My personal statement didn’t have big GRE words or fancy syntax. It told a great story that was (in my opinion) to the point, compelling, persuasive, and driven.
• Describe your values and goals while highlighting your strengths.
• In my opinion, it is best to talk about college, work, and other achievements and experiences in your “adulthood”.
• Even traveling experience (shows cultural awareness) as an adult is more noteworthy than say winning a basketball game in high school (less relevant to OT)
• Tip: think about when you first were motivated to become an OT and start from there, not earlier.
• Don’t use cliches or minimize them as much you can. Readers see this a lot and it does not make a big impact on their impression of you.
• Don’t use slang/informal speech, e.g. “sticking with it” -> perseverance.
• Don’t make jokes and be careful if you decide to use humor (what may be funny to you may not be to the reader). It’s safe to leave humor out and just get to the point.
• Avoid being sarcastic.
• Pay attention to your use of OT – it can be occupational therapy or occupational therapist, but personally, I get confused when people use “OT” interchangeably.
• In my final submitted personal statement, I only abbreviated “MSOT” and “EMT” and did not “OT” once.
• Example: I got accepted to shadow at [facility] and was observing observed patients do their rehab exercises.
• Pay attention to these verbs in sentences that run longer. Consider shortening them to make it less tiring to read, avoiding avoid run-on sentences. (see what I did there?)
• Don’t abbreviate or hyphenate too often or incorrectly . If you do it one way, be sure you are at least consistent throughout. e.g. evidence-based, not evidenced based.
• O ccupational therapist is capitalized like this correctly.
• However, an Occupational Therapist is not correct if capitalized like this.
• This is the correct capitalization for an occupational therapist.
• The same goes for the field of occupational therapy.
• O ccupational therapy is capitalized correctly in this sentence.
• Abbreviations are always capitalized, e.g. OT.
• Don’t write anything negative about anyone, organization, place, etc .
• Don’t write in a negative tone, be a “Debbie Downer”
• “OTs make a lot of money.”
• “I will be the best occupational therapist because…”
• “I am the best candidate because”
• “Since I am… , therefore”
• “Unlike others”, or
• “Other professions” talking down, avoid talking about other professions in general. No one profession is better than another, the same applies to OT. Think about why OT over other professions leading to your decision to become one).
• Think about how someone in another profession, say a PT would feel after reading your personal statement. They should not feel offended after reading your personal statement, but instead think, “wow, such and such would make a great OT.” Not that OT is better than PT, that kind of thing.
• When I become an occupational therapist. If I become an occupational therapist.
• Don’t repeat yourself, you only need to say something once in its context. Of course, the bigger message can be repeated, e.g. intro and conclusion. Just don’t sound repetitive.
• Don’t use the same phrases (especially close to each other), try using different words. That doesn’t mean you should just look up words in a thesaurus. Really think about what’s the point you are trying to make.
• Don’t use profanity.
• In everyday speech we say things like, “that’s crazy”. Someone with a mental illness who really is crazy could be offended. I had a teacher whose pet-peeve was people who said things were crazy . Remove crazy from your personal statement.
• “He probably was abused since he was in a recovery program/”
• I would avoid using “ normal” too. “Occupational therapists help patients get back to their normal.” This implies the patient was abnormal before. Better words: recover, improve, rehabilitate, strengthen, adapt, overcome, etc.
• Other labels: retarded, slow, crippled, mental, insane
• You can include a facility name, e.g. Standford hospital – as long as you don’t talk about it in a negative context.
• “Standford hospital treats a lot of poor patients.” Standford hospital is a valuable asset to the community for the underserved.
• Don’t include anything that can be seen as a weakness, e.g. low GPA, took a semester off, DUI, unexplained career changes.
• This is your chance to “say” what you want to say and include your story that is not apparent in the other pre-requisites. All the other candidates likely have high GPAs and had to take the same pre-requisite courses, but they did not shadow at your facility with your patient , so here’s your chance to distinguish yourself.
• What experience may be unique to you ?
• For example, I included my experience of being an EMT to make myself stand out.
• This could backfire and show your lack of research into how broad OT can be. Don’t forget about mental health too! OT’s study to be  generalists , not specialists.
• While it’s okay to want to work with a specific population as a goal, don’t accidentally make it sound like you think OT’s only do one thing. Hope this one makes sense.

Question’s to address or reflect on

Reflect. Write. Take a break. Repeat.

• What is your experience with other backgrounds and cultures in your pre-OT journey?
• How did you realize that OT was for you? Why not PT? (Reflect, but don’t answer this directly.)
• What or who were the influence(s) or influencers?
• This is a rich opportunity to mention your specific OT shadowing experience at the stage in which you want to be an OT.
• I would include at least 1 example from this, 2 is better, but not too much either.
• Not just becoming an OT (graduating) but afterwards. e.g. 1 year post-grad, 5 years, where you see yourself 10 years out.
• What challenges did you overcome in your pre-requisite pre-OT journey?
• What sets you apart from other applicants? Why should I not pick person A or person B over you?
• Tip: research the school’s website for their mission statement, OT program background, etc. to get familiar with the specifics. If you can include and relate to some of this, even better!
• “My motivation to help others and my passion for occupational therapy will guide me to be successful in the [program].” or

Since [school] strives to “[OT program mission statement]”, I firmly believe that [school] will help me reach my goals of becoming a successful occupational therapist.

Recommendations

• Talk about why you want to be an OT, but not just to “help” people. How? Which population/community/background? Conditions? Why? Tip: three major categories of OT are: mental health, pediatrics, and adults/older adults. Nurses help people too. How is OT different for you?
• Hint: occupations ! meaningful, client-centered.
• Check out the OTDUDE Podcast and other podcasts for ideas; Episode 1: What is OT
• Reflection tip: other professions may be based on the medical model or helping people become healthy, but OT is different because…
• Check out AOTA.org for some phrasing of the profession to inspire you.
• If you are comfortable, use OT related terminology or phrases, but don’t go overboard, e.g. occupation, intervention, treatment, activities of daily living, evidence-based, collaborative, interdisciplinary, client-centered, holistic, functional. Plain English is fine, you don’t have to sound like a journal article.
• As mentioned, highlight why you would be a valuable candidate (fit) to their program. Think about not only your experience but your character and quality traits . Examples: creativity, leadership, patient, resourceful, reliability? Teamwork and communication?
• Show indirectly through your stories or experiences why you will be successful in the program and not “drop-out”. Perseverance.
• Psychologically, readers tend to remember the beginnings and end more than the middle.
• How will being an OT help you achieve your goals, career? Not just short-term, but think bigger. While this sounds cliche – OT is not just a job, it will become your life. A person’s job (and career) is a large part of their identity.
• The reader should feel like they read about a person they would want to meet in the program and in real life, someone who can contribute something to the cohort, school, faculty, alumni – long term relationship. You will not only graduate as a student but a colleague in the field of occupational therapy to the faculty.

Here is a template I created to get you started. This is of course not a magic template that works for everyone or neither was it created by any OT entity for students. Copy & paste this into your favorite word processing program and write away.

Paragraph 1

Sentence 1: Attention-grabbing sentence. Hook into your story.

Supporting sentences: Support the above story with specifics.

Concluding sentence: “Thesis statement” stating why you chose (or) may be a successful OT.

Body Paragraphs (2, 3, 4, 5, etc.)

Opening sentence: As a , I [did this, and that] at [place or company or school]

Supporting sentences: strengthen your narrative in the opening sentence. These sentences should not deviate from the opening sentence topic or story, otherwise start a new paragraph. Should answer a [ Question’s to address or reflect on] section (see above).

Concluding sentence(s): wrap everything in this story up, optionally include a transition sentence.

Concluding Paragraph

Opening sentence: restate why you will be a successful OT.

Supporting sentences: start wrapping things up. Big picture. If applying to a specific program, consider answering why this program (e.g. does its mission statement appeal to you?).

Final sentence: end strong stating that you want to be an OT. Mention because it is in your long-term goals.  Consider ending everything with the words “occupational therapist” (identity), e.g. “…be a successful occupational therapist” OR “occupational therapy”, e.g. “… to pursue a career in occupational therapy”.

Here are some examples. All identifying information and some facts were fabricated for example sake.

After graduation, I did a lot of soul searching in terms of the career I wanted to pursue. Did I want to appease my parents and pursue [career]? Should we expand [business name] and take it to the next level? I knew I wanted a career that could help people in my day-to-day, but none of those paths fulfilled that desire. After my [family member] injured her arm and was unable to return to work or help out around the house, I saw her frustration and loss of dignity. Our family took a significant financial toll. When my [family member] finally saw an occupational therapist, I motivated her to do the exercises from her care plan and she eventually regained upper arm function. My [family member’s] perseverance inspired me to become an occupational therapist to help people develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living, working, and leading active lifestyles .

• This excerpt, although really did happen, sounds cliche with phrases like soul searching, take it to the next level.
• While the reflection part and figuring out what to do may seem important, it can be shortened to and still get the message across.
• Using the family member is a good example especially since it related to a story with an occupational therapist.
• The last two sentences highlight that I know what OT is (and why I want to become one) but can be cleaned up.

I was inspired by a personal experience with an occupational therapist when my [family member] suffered a rotator cuff tear and was unable to perform her activities of daily living . My [family member] became discouraged and did not do the recommended home exercises , but I saw the value in them and helped my [family member] complete them daily to recover. I learned the value of occupational therapy and how important it is to take a holistic approach by involving caregivers .

• Mentioning ADL’s shows I know what OT’s do.
• Shows my direct involvement with OT intervention.
• Shows my understanding of OT’s holistic approach.
• Words like “value” are strong. The word caregiver is often used in OT documentation.

I was hired as a EMT at [employer] in [city] for a small business that reminded me of our own [business name]. My role as a EMT at [employer] involved caring and treating for the sick and injured that involved tasks such as CPR or patient comfort and advocacy. As an EMT I again found that I was a valuable asset to the company having known how to speak some Spanish. Patients and staff members challenged me and tested my patience. My contact with patients out in the field was a unique experience that exposed me to the reality of what a healthcare profession involved. Due to the physical demands of the job and the high stress environment, many EMTs “burned out” and quit. I admit that I have thought about quitting, but I found the interactions with my patients far more rewarding and continued to work close to two years as an EMT. Working closely with these patients taught me to be sensitive to each person and their unique experiences. As an EMT, I developed my critical thinking skills to adapt the environment to my patients in order to safely transfer care, as well as educate patients on how to minimize hazards and prevent further injuries. Hearing my patients personally thank me for my care and education reassured me that I was pursuing the right career in helping patients resume their activities of daily living and accomplish their own goals.

• How would you improve this example?
• Lots of specifics can be taken out like employer name, city.
• Role as EMT is well-known, better to include more significant things such as experience, outcome, or relevance to OT.
• Being bilingual is nice, but more for a resume than a personal statement as it does not add to the story.
• Leave out specific thought process of thinking about quitting (weaknesses). Perseverance was also already shared in a previous example – talk about another quality instead, e.g. stress management, working with diverse population, fast-paced environment, patient education as an EMT and how it translates to OT.
• Reflect on how one story can share multiple strengths you have not mentioned so far in previous examples.
• The example does not translate or relate back to OT in a clear manner, but alludes to the qualities of one. This can be written to be more obvious because EMT and OT have very similar qualities that are needed to be good practitioners.

As an EMT, I developed my critical thinking skills with my patients in order to safely transfer care and educate patients on how to prevent further injuries. Hearing my patients personally thank me for my care and education reassures me that I am pursuing the right career by helping patients resume their activities of daily living and accomplish their own goals .

Much shorter, to the point, and use of effective words that highlight what OT’s also do – educate, doing it safely, prevention of disease and injury, and meeting client’s goals.

FAQ and Self-Doubt

Addressing negative self-talk and negative beliefs about yourself.

“This is my 100th time applying…”

Maybe it will be your 101st that you get in. You see this all the time with graduates taking the board exam who fail X number of times. Don’t give up!

“I was never good at writing.”

Writing takes practice. I never liked writing in grade school. Now I enjoy writing about OT. So use your resources, e.g. spell-check, someone to proof-read, reading other examples. You CAN do it.

“My experience is not that special.”

Not everyone did CPR on their patient, observed a miraculous rehab recovery, etc. It’s what you make of the moments, how you interpret it, become inspired by it, how it changes you, and make you want to be an OT. It’s all from YOUR perspective. You can take 2 people who watch the same movie. One person could be moved by it and the other not be interested, right?

“The more I read this, the more I feel like it is not good enough.”

Take a break, put it down, and come back to it. Have someone else read it and get their opinion. Sometimes, we get stuck in our own thoughts and they can trick us and lead us down a negative path of thinking.

“I have the opposite problem, I have too much to write about and not enough room.”

You can probably take our your younger experiences. Leave the “resume” stuff out. Try to pick the most “OT” related or healthcare moments. If you do not have these examples to draw from, choose ones that fit the characteristics of a good OT. Each example should not be a repeated theme of another and highlight something profound.

“Now I am not so sure what OT’s do anymore, after writing all this.”

Go on BLS.gov for OT’s, listen to OT podcasts (to become inspired), watch some YouTubers on OT.

“I am having doubts about OT vs. (other profession)”

Avoid reading forums, facebook groups, Reddit for OT. These are often skewed towards OTs who may be burned out (which could happen for any other profession on social media). Dig deep into why you wanted to be an OT in the first place! If still in doubt, maybe you should observe some more, talk to some more OT’s and listen to some OT podcasts (because they are positive about the profession usually). I would avoid YouTube as many who are burned out could make videos.

“No one can proofread my personal statement.”

Try writing workshops, a school or public library, or similar resources. A simple google search could help and you won’t necessarily need to pay. Avoid suspicious websites and  uploading  your work to avoid others from plagiarizing you. Use people or resources that you trust.

“This is my 100th draft, it’s not perfect yet”

Deadlines will often help with this. Don’t let them catch you off guard. Consider going back and making an outline and seeing if you covered everything you want to talk about. A timer may help. Get the approval of at least 2 readers to give you support for how awesome your personal statement is.

“I don’t know where to start in writing”

That’s okay, start writing about a story or experience you have in mind and build around it. Start in the middle as intros and conclusions can be very difficult to begin writing.

• Read some other examples online, but don’t stress about it. If possible, have someone who may have been accepted to a graduate program send you theirs. You can use it as a template or for inspiration to the types of stores, tone, conclusion paragraph used, etc.
• Set a timer (e.g. Pomodoro method) so you won’t stress out and remind yourself to take breaks, move-on, just get something out and fix it later. Exact grammar, spelling, and other “writing” can be fixed later – focus on content.
• Get into a habit of writing, set a schedule …or do it randomly, no-schedule (whatever works for you ). Maybe it’s writing every other day in the morning, after a nap, after playing video games, after a meal, after walking your dog, or whatever sets you up for success.
• Have at least 2 people read (and edit) your personal statement. Don’t take it personally and not all suggestions are necessarily correct.
• In the earlier stages of writing, if deciding between two stories or segments in your writing, consider having two drafts and see which one your proof-readers prefer.
• Read your personal statement out loud, spaced out, e.g. 1 week later (when it is no longer fresh and you forgot some of what you wrote). Make edits as needed.
• Candidates come from all walks of life, have different personalities (e.g. type-A vs. B), extroverted vs. introverted, outspoken vs. quiet – so some of these tips (or your editor suggestions) may not appeal to you or seem unnatural, etc. This can be your strength. Follow your gut. It’s not like OT schools are only looking for outspoken, extroverted candidates. It’s how you use those qualities to better the world with OT. This is what makes you unique, special, and distinguished. Highlight those features!
• Take care of yourself – eat well, exercise, manage your stress, breathe.

Thank you for reading this long guide. I wish you the best in your journey to becoming an occupational therapist (or whatever career). See you all in the field!

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The Curly Clinician - Physical Therapy + Lifestyle

PTCAS: Personal Statement/Essays

December 23, 2017 Physical Therapy , Pre-PT , PTCAS & Planning

Welcome to the last #dptwiththecc post (*cue sad music*)

Today I will discuss PERSONAL STATEMENTS & SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS!

What is a personal statement.

Every year, PTCAS has an “essay” section. This is essentially your personal statement, even though it is not stated outright. The personal statement is your chance to really show your personality, so you want to make it count! If your grades or GRE scores aren’t the best, your essays could really set you apart, + take your application to the next level.

The question/prompt will be the same for everyone, and this is updated every few application cycles. Because the PTCAS application opens at the end of June/early July, PTCAS usually releases the prompt for the upcoming cycle on their Twitter and Facebook pages in the spring. This will give you time to start brainstorming and drafting your essay before the application even opens!

Past PTCAS Prompts :

• 2016-2017, 2017-2018 : “What is professionalism in the context of being a student in a doctor of physical therapy program?”
• 2018-2019, 2019-2020 : “Describe a meaningful experience in your life. Reflect on how that experience influenced your personal growth, such as your attitudes or perceptions.”
• 2020-2021 : “Every person has a story that has led them to a career. Since there are a variety of health professions that “help” others, please go beyond your initial interaction or experiences with physical therapy, and share the deeper story that has confirmed your decision to specifically pursue physical therapy as your career.”

In addition to the PTCAS essay, most programs require you to write supplemental essays . These are additional essays that will let the program know a little bit more about you. These essays could be long or short, depending on the program. When I applied, my program had 2 supplemental essays (1150 characters each). One essay asked about a life failure and how I overcame it, and another asked about my experience with diversity.

What should I write about?

Katie from My Road to PT has a GREAT blog, and in her post about essays, she comprised a list of some example topics + questions. They are listed below:

PTCAS Essay

• How have your life experiences shaped who you are?
• What observation experiences can you talk about?
• Are there any patients that have influenced you?
• How has an experience impacted how you want to want to practice physical therapy?
• Who are the most influential people in your life?
• When did you know that you wanted to be a physical therapist?
• When have you been on a team or worked in a group? How was the team approach better than working by yourself?
• Where do you see the field of physical therapy going, and how do you fit into that picture?
• What sort of physical therapist to you see yourself being?
• How would you treat your future patients?
• What dream goals do you have?
• What character traits are important to have as a physical therapist
• What experiences have strengthened those traits for you, or what traits are you currently working on?
• How has your time spent as a patient affected how you will be a physical therapist?
• Are there any specific therapists that you wish to be like, or any therapists that you don’t want to become?
• Why will you be valuable to this profession?
• Are you interested in teaching, research, owning your own business, traveling, working for a nonprofit, or volunteering in another country?

Autobiography Essay

• What challenges have you overcome in your life?
• What are some of your major accomplishments?
• Why do you want to be a physical therapist?
• What things have you done that helped you grow as an individual
• What activities have you participated in?
• Who are some influential people on your life?
• How have your family, friends, or peers shaped who you are today?
• How would other people describe you?
• What 5 words describe you the best?
• What character traits are important for a physical therapist to have? Do you have these traits, or how are you improving them?
• What is important to you?
• How will your experiences make you a successful physical therapy student/physical therapist?
• How did your upbringing shape your personality, and how will that make you a better physical therapist?
• How have your experiences led you to the physical therapy career instead of other health care careers?
• Is there a central theme about your life experiences?
• How can you contribute to the field of physical therapy and your future patients?

Diversity Essay

• Describe your life experience as it is related to your culture.
• Is it hard to understand others who are from a different culture?
• Do you have a culturally different perspective than your peers?
• Does your culture have a different set of health care beliefs, or have you encountered another culture with different beliefs?
• Have you had an experience in life where you felt like your culture created a barrier for you?
• Have you volunteered for an economically disadvantaged population?
• Do you have trouble relating to higher socioeconomic classes?
• Have your experiences helped you relate better to certain people?
• Have you witnessed any social, cultural, or economic barriers when observing in a health care setting?
• How have you learned from any of these experiences?
• How does recognizing, understanding, or appreciating diversity make you a better physical therapist?
• Have you worked with individuals with disabilities?
• How do these experiences support that you will be able to work with diverse patients when you are a physical therapist?

Re-applicant Essay

• Have you retaken any classes?
• Did you retake the GRE?
• Do you have additional observation experiences?
• Did you observe in any new settings or see a different patient population?
• Did you have any additional work experience?
• Where you involved in any groups or team sports?
• Did you volunteer?
• How are you more prepared to be a successful student?
• Have you improved any personal skills?
• Have you worked with individuals that are different or gave you a unique perspective?
• What have you learned and how have you improved?
• How did these new experiences change your perspective, improve your application, change your personality, teach you something new, help you grow, or support your desire to become a physical therapist?

While these specific questions may not be asked, they can be used to brainstorm possible responses/give you an idea of the types of questions to expect.

What should I put in my personal statement?

Why you actually want to become a physical therapist is the number one thing that should be in your essay (duh)! You should also try to have a “theme” (as long as you can somehow relate it to the prompt). This will make your essay cohesive, and interesting to read. Almost everyone wants to be a physical therapist because they want to help people, or because they had an awesome physical therapist when they were injured. While this is great, try to focus on another reason why you want to become a physical therapist. This is a personal statement, so make it personal! For my PTCAS essay, I wrote about the lack of representation in the field for black women, and how I want to help increase the presence of underrepresented populations + treat underserved communities! Really think about WHY you want to help people. What are your passions? Pull from your life experiences (healthcare + non-healthcare related) to make your theme come to life.

In addition, you should extensively research the programs you are applying to before you write your supplemental essays! Read their mission statement, and find out what they value. Are they a research program? Do they really value diversity and inclusion? Are they big on global health? Whatever the program’s values are, include how your personal values align. This will make you stand out, and show that you are a serious applicant. If it is applicable to the prompt, you could also discuss why you want to attend the program that you are applying to!

How long does the personal statement have to be?

PTCAS has a limit of 4500 characters (about 1 page) for your essay. I would recommend using most or all of this space (without adding in irrelevant information of course) if possible. If you can get your point across in fewer characters, then that’s fine too! I wouldn’t stress about the character limit until you feel like you’ve completed most of your essay, as it is easier to take things out at the end. I would recommend drafting your essay in a program like Microsoft Word (or a plain text editor like Notepad), so that you can always see how many characters you’re at. Then, you can just paste the essay into PTCAS later.

Does your academic record accurately reflect your capabilities?

This question will be asked in the PTCAS application, but I wouldn’t answer it unless there was an extenuating circumstance that affected your academics. Admissions committees don’t want to hear excuses for why your grades weren’t as good as you wanted your freshman year (it happens!), or how you spent too much time partying or distracted. As long as your grades improved over time (your transcript will reflect this), you are fine!

General Tips

• ACTUALLY ANSWER THE PROMPT! I know this may seem obvious, but I have edited many essays for pre-PT students, and come across essays that didn’t even answer the prompt. This is a sure-fire way to stop someone from reading your essay, so follow directions, and try not to deviate too far from the prompt.
• Avoid contractions (i.e. don’t, can’t, won’t, etc.). Your essay should be formal.
• Show don’t tell!
• Vary your sentence structure. You want your writing to have style, so don’t make every sentence sound the same.
• Make sure to have an introduction (with a captivating opener to engage the reader), and a conclusion to bring your essay full circle (remember your theme!). I began my essay with a childhood memory, but you could begin with a quote (kinda cliché, but you could make it work), a question, a general idea, or something else. You want to grab the reader’s attention immediately!
• Remember HIPAA! If you want to discuss a patient you observed, don’t include any of their personal information!
• Don’t plagiarize!
• Keep your audience in mind: you never know who the admissions committee is composed of, and everyone may not agree with your views.
• When brainstorming, start by making a list of your thoughts/ideas about the prompt. Later, you can turn these ideas into actual paragraphs.
• Make sure your theme is present in each paragraph.
• Have at least 3-4 people proofread/edit your essays (for content + grammar). Of course, you’re going to think your essay is good, but you need an outside source’s opinion. You may think you’ve conveyed your point, but you’ll never know for sure unless you have someone proofread it. This could be a family member, a friend, a current DPT student, a physical therapist, a professor, etc. The Student Doctor Network Pre-PT Forum has a thread you can visit if you’re looking for someone to edit your essay. I wouldn’t recommend having another pre-PT student edit your essay (unless you know them personally, or really trust them), as there are some not-so-nice people online that could potentially steal your essay. I had my mentor (who is also a physical therapist), a recent DPT grad, and an accepted pre-PT student edit my essays. Try to avoid having too many people edit your essays, as you may lose your “personal” touch.
• Provide lots of examples!
• Don’t rush the process! It takes a while to write a good essay, so allow yourself enough time to do so. You may even have to take a break and come back later with a fresh mind. Regardless, you’ll have that “aha” moment eventually! If you are really stuck, try writing in a different environment (i.e. the library, a coffee shop, or a bookstore). Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need!
• Try reading your essay out loud. It is much easier to catch mistakes this way, versus if you are only reading it in your head.

Thank you so much for tuning in to this series! If you missed any of the posts, be sure to check them out under the “ Pre-PT ” section of the blog! I covered getting organized, grades/study tips, extracurricular activities, observation hours, letters of recommendation, and the GRE! Once it gets closer to the new application cycle, I will definitely have more tips and advice for y’all!

Remember that I am available for editing (PTCAS essay, supplemental essays, and resumes), so click here if that is something you are interested in!

If you have any requests for posts you’d like to see in the future (or ever need anything), feel free to leave a comment, DM me on Instagram , or shoot me an email ( [email protected] )! Can’t wait to continue creating content for you guys!

Reader Interactions

February 24, 2020 at 3:59 am

loved this. Really informative and inspiring. Thank you.

March 3, 2020 at 3:24 pm

You’re so welcome!

July 9, 2020 at 8:21 am

This was very helpful. I felt like I was constructing my essay on a blank canvas, but this article gave me a structural foundation of where to start. Thank you!

July 9, 2020 at 10:24 pm

Ah yay this makes me so happy Brittany! Good luck with the rest of your application girl!

September 19, 2020 at 11:31 am

This blog has helped me through every single step of my PTCAS application process! You’re truly a lifesaver because you give answers to all the little things that everyone asks and but no one really addresses. If i get into PT school, it’ll all be thanks to you!

September 24, 2020 at 3:40 pm

Ahhhh Sara that makes me so happy I am so glad that my blog has been a good resource for you! Good luck with the rest of the application process 🙂

July 24, 2021 at 1:54 pm

Love this! Your blog has been very helpful in my process of submitting apps. I had a question; where did you submit/find any extra supplemental essays?

August 28, 2021 at 12:13 pm

Hi Ashley, I’m so happy to hear this! They would be within the PTCAS application!

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Occupational therapy personal statement example 5.

“All you have to do is know where you're going. The answers will come to you of their own accord.” - Earl Nightingale.

For the longest time I wasn’t sure where I was going. I was beginning the last year of my undergrad and was apprehensive about what do to next. While chatting with a friend about my concerns she suggested occupational therapy and for some reason it immediately sparked my interest.

I began a furious search of the role of an occupational therapist and discovered that is where I want to go and by obtaining a Master’s in occupational therapy I will find the answers.

What most intrigues me most about occupational therapy is the multitude of opportunities within the discipline. Occupational therapists have the chance to interact with people of all ages to help them find purpose in their lives and create environments for them to actively participate in society.

Previously I was determined to work with children because of the joy that my previous experiences with them have brought me. Coaching figure skating, teaching swimming lessons, and running summer day camps has lead me yearning to continue to work with children.

However, my recent experiences with a group of seniors at the Gorge Road Hospital and Burdett House, in combination with an adult development course at the University of Victoria, have changed my perspective of older adults. I have found that age does not matter, it all just depends on your attitude and your ability to form relationships with many different types of people.

Another appealing aspect of occupational therapy is the opportunity to get involved in the community and provide assistance to those trying to overcome a mental or physical obstacle in their life.

Our society is fast paced and unwilling to help those that don’t fit into our norms and to be able to aid someone to function on their own, or provide them with the support they require to do so, would be an exciting challenge for me.

While running summer day camps I was approached by a parent of an Autistic boy who had seen the ad for FunSeekers and had wanted to join in on the fun. Naturally the parent was concerned that her son would have a difficult time fitting in with the rest of the children since he could be difficult to handle sometimes.

I had never dealt with an Autistic child before but was willing to give him a chance. He certainly was a handful and at times, and made my day very stressful, but I quickly learned his pattern of behaviour and could easily predict when he was approaching a meltdown.

Most of the time all I had to do was distract him with another activity or give him a chance to calm down and have a moment to himself. I also found that after this I could more readily see different behavioral patterns in the other children I worked with became adept at maintaining the happiness of the group.

Reflecting back I realize I have been a mediator on many ocasions and have enjoyed making sure that everyone can participate despite any disabilities.

According to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. From my understanding you must be able to assess the reasons for difficulty in and individuals, or groups, daily activities and how it affects their well-being.

After initial assessment the therapist must then be able to search out an appropriate way to adjust their lifestyle or occupation that will promote their well-being.

Difficulties can include both mental and physical illness. Throughout my undergraduate education I have taken courses such as anatomy, physiology, and biology that have expanded my knowledge of the physical body as well as psychology courses in development, neuroscience, and abnormal psychology, which have educated me on the mental body.

I believe that because of this extensive background knowledge from many aspects of the body, along with my personal experiences with people of all ages, I would be extremely capable of providing a creative and adequately suited solution for those requiring assistance.

Recently I have taken up running and it has taught me the fine art of dedication. During the beginning of my post-secondary education I felt that if I could pass a course without studying what was the point in wasting my time studying just in order to get a better grade? I applied this same theory to running and signed up for the Royal Victoria Half Marathon.

I figure that as long as I went on a couple longer runs right before the marathon I would be fine. I was wrong and definitely paid for it after the marathon. I came to the realization that it is called a marathon for a reason and it requires lots of training.

Sure I ran the half marathon but it was extremely challenging and at the finish line I was left feeling dissappointed with myself because I knew I could do better.

From that day on I have been running every week in order to build my stamina in order to redeem myself in the Red Deer Marathon in May 2010. From this I also realized that I wasn’t applying whole self to my education either and was disappointed.

That passing a course isn’t what matters or the grade that you get but rather the knowledge you gain. Similar to how running a marathon isn’t about crossing the finish line but rather proving how dedicated you are to your passion and willing to push yourself as far, and as fast, as you can.

The combination of my newly found determination, the need for a challenge, a desire to learn, problem solving abilities, and past experiences are applicable to what I believe is the role of an occupational therapist. I hope to be the person that can rearrange someone life back to normal when their world has flipped upside down.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by jennymd for application in 2010.

jennymd's Comments

Rough draft. Need to work on conclusion etc. but want a general idea of how it sounds.

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

Hi, i after reading your.

Tue, 02/11/2010 - 09:25

Hi, I after reading your personal statement, I think it is a bit long winded. It's almost 1000 words, not sure what the limit is for the schools you are applying to, but it is 2 pages for me, so somewhere between 500-700 words. Loved how you started with a quote, I plan on doing the same thing. The first half of the essay was really good as you talked about what motivated you. I think you should stick to that trend and elaborate, rather than talk about what other sources describe what OT is. I've been in constant contact with the OT Dept at USC and they want to know about your specific experience and motivation for you wanting to become an OT. The running story could be more concise and it sorta went off on a tangent, try to keep things in perspective. You used a quote, so most of the essay should somehow tie back into it. I'm no expert as I am working on my PS currently.

no need to define an OT's

Fri, 06/05/2011 - 15:35

no need to define an OT's role. they already know. make it shorter.

yes, they already know what

Wed, 31/08/2011 - 13:33

yes, they already know what an OT does, but they want to know that you fully understand the vocation. so definingf it is not necessarily a bad thing.

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Federal Court Enters Consent Decree Against Philips Respironics Following Recall of Certain Sleep Therapy Machines

FDA News Release

Decree Includes Key Provisions Aimed to Prioritize Patient Relief and Ensure Company’s Regulatory Compliance

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Philips RS North America LLC (“Philips Respironics”), Respironics California LLC, and Philips Holding USA Inc., and Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips, along with several other individual defendants named in the decree. The consent decree , with limited exceptions, restricts the production and sale of new continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines and other devices at several Philips Respironics facilities in the United States until certain requirements are met. CPAP and BiPAP machines are sleep therapy devices used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The decree also requires implementation of a Recall Remediation Plan, agreed to by the FDA and Philips Respironics, to help ensure relief is provided to patients impacted by Philips Respironics’ June 2021 recall of certain ventilators, CPAP and BiPAP machines, by way of receiving a new or reworked/remediated device or, for certain devices, providing the option for a partial refund. 

“The finalization of this decree is a significant milestone. Throughout this recall, we have provided patients with important health information by issuing numerous safety communications and have taken actions rarely used by the agency to help protect those impacted by this recall,” said Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Today’s action is a culmination of those efforts and includes novel provisions aimed at helping ensure that patients receive the relief they have long deserved. This also marks the first time a device company is providing a remediation payment option for a recalled device under a consent decree.”

The consent decree comes after Philips Respironics recalled certain ventilators, CPAP and BiPAP machines in June 2021 because of potential health risks—impacting 15 million devices worldwide. The polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam used in these devices to reduce sound and vibration can break down. If the foam breaks down, black pieces of foam, or certain chemicals that are not visible, could be breathed in or swallowed by the person using the device. Immediately following Philips’ recall, the FDA issued an alert notifying device users that problems reportedly associated with the PE-PUR foam breakdown could potentially result in serious injury and may require medical intervention to prevent permanent injury. 

The complaint, filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA, alleged that Philips Respironics violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) by introducing devices into interstate commerce that are adulterated because the devices were not manufactured in accordance with current good manufacturing practice requirements. In addition, the complaint alleged that the company introduced devices into interstate commerce that are misbranded because it failed to provide the FDA with information about specific corrections (or removals) the company made to devices, as required by FDA regulations. Both of these violations were noted in the FDA’s 2021 inspection of the company’s Murrysville, Pennsylvania, facility. The complaint further alleged that additional violations of current good manufacturing practice requirements were observed at Philips Respironics’ Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, facility in 2023, and during several inspections of its subsidiary’s facility in Carlsbad, California, which has ceased manufacturing operations.

With certain exceptions, the consent decree restricts the Defendants from manufacturing and distributing devices at or from the Philips Respironics facilities in Pennsylvania and California, until the Defendants have completed the repair/rework, replacement and refund activities set forth in the Recall Remediation Plan, and are in compliance with requirements applicable to current good manufacturing practice, reporting corrections and removals and medical device reporting. The company must receive written notice from the FDA that they are in compliance with these requirements before resuming operations. The company can continue to manufacture and distribute certain devices that the FDA has determined to be “medically necessary,” which are specified in the decree, as well as replacement parts and accessories to support the use of devices in customers’ possession.

“Medical device manufacturers have a responsibility to comply with requirements designed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their products,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s action reflects our commitment to vigorously enforce federal law and prevent manufacturers from marketing adulterated and misbranded devices to vulnerable patients who need them.”

Recall Remediation Plan 

The Recall Remediation Plan outlines required remediation options based on device type, as well as timeframes for the company to complete certain remediation activities for patients impacted by this recall. More specifically, remediation options include a remediated device (either a new or reworked unit of the same model type, or a new unit of a functionally equivalent model type) with a renewed warranty or, for certain device models, issuance of a refund (factoring in depreciation of the device). As part of this plan, Philips Respironics is also required to make several attempts to contact a patient and/or Durable medical equipment provider within a certain timeframe regarding actions they must take (e.g., register the device serial number, elect a remediation option, provide prescription information, etc.) to help ensure patients receive remediation in a timely manner.

The FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) previously issued a notice proposing that an order be issued, under section 518(b) of the FD&C Act, requiring Philips Respironics to submit a plan for the repair, replacement or refund of the purchase price (less a reasonable allowance for use) of recalled devices manufactured after November 2015. The provisions outlined in the Recall Remediation Plan agreed to by the FDA and Philips Respironics are intended to provide the relief for patients that CDRH sought through the 518(b) process. 

Key Consent Decree Provisions 

In addition to the requirements noted above, the decree contains other provisions aimed at helping to ensure patients receive relief, and that the company completes necessary testing and follows current good manufacturing practice requirements. Examples include: 

Export Restriction for Commercial Distribution

With respect to CPAP and BiPAP devices that are being used to remediate patients impacted by the recall, the decree generally prohibits the Defendants from exporting those devices for commercial distribution unless: 

• All U.S. patients who registered by a certain date and who could be remediated with the device to be exported have been remediated; 
• The Defendants are meeting the timeframes for steps in the remediation process set forth in the Recall Remediation Plan; and
• The Defendants have enough devices in stock to address U.S. demand for that particular recall remediation device model for the next twelve months.  

Overall, this provision is intended to help ensure remediation of U.S. patients is prioritized over export for commercial distribution and patients receive the recall remediation devices that they are seeking from Philips Respironics in a timely manner. 

Testing Requirements

The decree also requires the Defendants to contract with an independent testing expert within 10 days of entry of the decree to review and evaluate their testing, including biocompatibility data, on the new, silicone-based foam the company is using to replace and rework some machines impacted by the June 2021 recall. This independent expert will assess, among other things, Philips’ plan for testing the silicone-based foam, including testing that has been completed, is ongoing, or is planned, to ascertain whether that testing will enable a determination that the silicone-based foam does not degrade during the labeled service life of the device and does not introduce any new or similar potential health concerns to the PE-PUR sound abatement foam. The testing expert will submit findings of this evaluation to the FDA for review. The company will be required to submit a plan to the FDA to address any gaps in testing, analysis or other information that may be identified by the expert. 

Assuring Regulatory Compliance of other Respironics’ Facilities

The consent decree also requires the Defendants to retain an independent expert to inspect their other Sleep and Respiratory Care facilities (other than the facilities in Pennsylvania and California) to evaluate whether those facilities are operating in compliance with the FD&C Act and to correct any deficiencies that are identified. In addition, the consent decree allows the FDA to subject other facilities owned by the corporate defendants to certain provisions of the decree if the FDA determines, based on a future inspection, that those facilities are not operating in compliance with the FD&C Act and its implementing regulations.

Patients impacted by the June 2021 Philips Respironics recall remain a top priority for the agency as the FDA continues to take steps to protect the health and safety of individuals using these devices. The agency continues to encourage individuals with a device affected by this recall who have not yet registered their device to do so, and those who have already registered to ensure their contact information is up to date.

The FDA has a dedicated response team that will continue to meet regularly with the company to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the Recall Remediation Plan and other related recall activities, as outlined in the consent decree. The agency also continues to assess the supply chain for this product area and believes there is adequate supply and that alternative manufacturers are able to handle patient demand for CPAP and BiPAP machines.

Related Information

• Court Enjoins Philips Respironics from Manufacturing and Distributing Adulterated and Misbranded Sleep and Respiratory Devices at or from Three Pennsylvania Facilities
• Consent Decree
• CDRH Provides Update on Philips June 2021 Recall and Maintains Recommendations Related to Potential Health Risks of PE-PUR Foam 
• Recalled Philips Ventilators, BiPAP Machines, and CPAP Machines
• FDA Activities Related to Recalled Philips Ventilators, BiPAP Machines, and CPAP Machines
• Recommendations for Recalled Philips Ventilators, BiPAP Machines, and CPAP Machines

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

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PT School Personal Statement Examples: a Quick Guide

Table of Contents

Your statement is your chance to “sell” yourself to the admissions committee. We have great PT school personal statement examples to inspire you in crafting your statement.

We hope they provide a wealth of insights into the personal statement process and help you achieve admission to your dream PT school.

What Is a PT Personal Statement?

Personal statements for physiotherapy programs are creative writing assignments required for the UCAS application. It helps the admissions committee decide if you’re a good fit for their class and institution .

When applying to an undergraduate or graduate program, you’ll need to highlight your talents, achievements, and goals in your statement.

If you’re anything like most applicants, the mere thought of writing a personal statement makes you break out in a cold sweat. However, we have made it easy by detailing what to include in a PT personal statement.

How to Write an Outstanding PT Personal Statement

Writing a PT personal statement can be nerve-wracking. However, these steps will help you write an impressive personal statement that brings it all together in one successful, polished piece.

• Begin with a few phrases on an experience that ignited your interest in the field.
• Highlight your interest in physiotherapy by discussing pertinent aspects of your work experience, reading, hobbies, or anything else you find interesting.
• Share what you’ve learned about physiotherapy and what you find most interesting about the field. Tutors in charge of admissions want to see that you have done your homework and are prepared for the program’s challenges.
• You’ll need great people skills, the ability to work well in a team, and patience to succeed as a physiotherapist. Keep these talents in mind while you write the rest of your statement.

PT School Personal Statement Examples

Remember, your statement is only a small part of the application process and should be manageable. These INK examples detail what to write and how to write it, so it impacts the admission board.

I have always been passionate about the art of physical therapy. I also have a long-standing interest in human anatomy and kinesiology that was further stoked during my undergraduate studies. In particular, I found myself captivated by musculoskeletal injury prevention and management. I want to explore novel ways to enhance biomechanical efficiency through various stretching and movement exercises. My curiosity quickly translated into tangible accomplishments, such as designing several clinical interventions for athletes suffering from injuries or chronic conditions.

I believe PT school will provide me with the necessary skill set to embark on a meaningful career in helping people. As such, I am eager to hone my knowledge and develop effective strategies to rehabilitate clients. By utilizing evidence-based practices, I aspire to use my creativity to find innovative solutions tailored to each individual’s needs. Additionally, providing compassionate care is critical in helping patients reach their goals and regaining quality of life.

Pursuing physical therapy would allow me to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around me. With this in mind, I look forward to combining my enthusiasm and expertise with the invaluable experience offered by your esteemed program. It will help me become a highly competent practitioner and leader in this field.

I have long aspired to attend physical therapy school to hone my natural talents and knowledge of the human body. I possess a unique combination of practical skills and expertise that will make me an asset at any educational institution.

I’ve always had a passion for health and wellness, honed through years of recreational and professional experience. As a volunteer ambulance driver with a rural hospital, I regularly saw firsthand how physical therapy could dramatically improve lives. Further, my work as a strength trainer has provided me with invaluable insight into effective patient rehabilitation and injury prevention. In short, I am intimately familiar with therapeutic techniques designed to restore mobility, correct alignment issues, and reduce pain.

Moreover, I understand the emotional component of healing. Having endured numerous sports injuries myself, I relate deeply to those struggling with their conditions. This empathy allows me to create personalized treatment plans tailored to meet each client’s individual needs. My goal is not just to treat ailments but also to alleviate suffering, providing holistic care and gentle guidance every step of the way.

My diverse skill set and compassionate nature would be a perfect fit for physical therapy school. Therefore, I request that you consider me as an applicant.

Yours truly,

Final Words

These PT school personal statement examples above outline how to present your skills clearly and set yourself apart from competitors . It uses specific details to convey unique qualities.

Review these sample personal statements to learn more about what makes a persuasive personal statement. They also make great comparison points when building your PT school personal statement.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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