Meet Your Therapist...

Deborah Laroche, OTR, CHT

"I feel privileged to work in a profession which allows me to partner with patients and therapists to achieve the best outcomes."

Educational Foundation
Formal education has provided the foundation and skill set necessary for me to effectively work as an Occupational Therapist (OT). While completing my undergraduate coursework, I learned function was the main area of focus for OTs. As an OT, I have been trained to assess a person's physical and cognitive abilities and identify the physical and cognitive requirements needed to complete daily tasks. My treatment approach involves: identifying the patient's limitations, understanding what the patient's main goals are, developing a plan to improve the patient's abilities, and adapting individual tasks to allow the patient to be able to function at a maximal level.

Licensure in Occupational Therapy: Texas State Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

BS: Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

CHT: Certified Hand Therapist

Member: Texas Chapter of the American Society of Hand Therapists

A Therapeutic Relationship
I believe the key to a patient's success is the establishment of a therapeutic relationship based on trust. I want my patients to know I will use all of my abilities and knowledge to help them reach their goals. I believe a patient's goals are a great motivational tool and also feel if they believe in themselves, they will be more successful in achieving their goals. I also feel it is imperative to provide information to the patient regarding their limitations and come to agreement on their therapy goals. Through continuing education and daily practice, I maintain a current knowledge base and utilize the most current, relevant, and effective treatment techniques. I have also become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), which has allowed me to hone my skills and focus on patients with hand injuries and other conditions affecting the upper extremity.

A Diversity Driven Path
As an OT, I have had the privilege to work with many different patient populations in many different settings and locales. I have worked with psychiatric, orthopedic, and pediatric patients. I have worked in home health, an inpatient hospital setting and at various outpatient clinics across the United States. During my diverse experiences, I discovered that despite different cultural and socio-economic influences, there is one common denominator among people: We all want to do our best, but often need help to make that happen. I feel privileged to be in a profession which allows me to partner with patients and therapists to achieve the best outcomes. These partnerships are inspirational and continually motivate me to improve.