For Leila Nelson, discovering occupational therapy has been ‘life changing’, offering her a purpose, direction and opportunities she never knew existed. In this Q&A, she shares her journey of growth, creativity and professional discovery.
Above: Leila Nelson with her painting Crow
When occupational therapy student Leila Nelson picked up her paintbrush again – her first degree was in painting – she never imagined her work would be accepted into the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2025.
Her striking painting Crow hung alongside an array of contemporary works – a milestone that marked not only her talent, but also a deeply personal journey.
Leila’s path to this point hadn’t been straightforward. While working in the community, an occupational therapist encouraged her to apply for an occupational therapy degree; something that, at the time, she says she’d ‘no idea if she would succeed at’.
Now, as she completes the end of her second year of study, she’s thriving; working on an acute psychiatric ward for older adults as a support worker, looking ahead to the opportunity of a funded master’s in research after graduation, and rediscovering the joy of her first love – the occupation of art.
For Leila, occupational therapy has been life changing. It has given her purpose, direction and opportunities she never knew existed. In this Q&A, she shares her journey of growth, creativity and professional discovery.
Q. Can you tell us about the moment you first heard that Crow had been accepted into the Royal Academy Summer Show?
A. I was astonished. I applied on a whim with the attitude these kinds of things don’t usually happen to me. When I found out Crow had been accepted, I couldn’t believe it. It was a moment of pure joy – like I’d been truly seen. That acceptance meant far more than just an exhibition spot, it was validation of my identity as an artist and a person still capable of achieving something meaningful.
Q. An OT initially encouraged you to apply for a degree; how did that conversation change your direction?
A. That conversation completely changed my life, although I didn’t realise it until this year. At the time, I was physically unwell with COVID-related complications and felt lost. An OT I was working with saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. She encouraged me to apply for a degree in occupational therapy and that spark of belief gave me a new sense of possibility.
I still live with chronic illness, but now I’ve seen what can be achieved despite it. That small moment of encouragement created a whole new path for me.
Q. What role has art played in your life, both before and after you began working in healthcare?
A. Art has always been part of who I am. I received a Fine Art degree in my twenties, but never really pursued it professionally.
My dad is a woodblock printmaker and has always encouraged me to keep going with it, but it wasn’t until my forties, particularly after entering healthcare and experiencing illness, that I returned to art in a deeply personal way.
It became a tool for healing, reflection and communication. It helped me process my own experiences and reconnect with meaning.
Q. You’ve now finished your second year of study. How has your experience so far compared to your expectations at the start?
A. At the start, I didn’t think I could do it and I faced criticism from those who thought I couldn’t either. That doubt, both my own and from others, was hard to push through. But now, through hard work, dedication and a passion for the subject, I’m on track for a first-class degree.
Every step has been a reminder of what can be achieved when you find purpose, community and self-belief – even if that belief starts in someone else.
I have a wonderful group of friends and colleagues and have found practice placements have been especially transformative, giving me a real-world insight into what life as a qualified OT will look like.
Q. You work as a support worker in an acute psychiatric ward for older adults. How does this role influence your studies – and vice versa?
A. I took the role after an incredible placement with older adults in psychiatric care, which really opened my eyes to the potential of mental health occupational therapy, particularly in older adults.
Despite my own past mental health struggles, I knew this was where my heart lay. The role has given me valuable experience in a clinical environment and reaffirmed the importance of therapeutic relationships.
What I’ve learned, both in practice and in life, is that I can’t always take away someone’s difficulties, just as I can’t always take away my own. But what I can do is help create the conditions where change becomes possible.
I don’t need to ‘fix’ anyone. My role is to support, to believe and to offer tools and opportunities so people can rediscover their own strengths.
Q. You’re keen to continue with post-graduate education; what areas of research are you most excited to explore?
A. Yes, I’ve been offered the opportunity to apply for a funded MRes, which is incredibly exciting. Originally my dissertation was a literature review on meaningful engagement for older adults with psychosis, however I quickly discovered how little research exists in that area, so I had to broaden the focus to general mental health.
That gap only increased my passion to specialise in research in psychosis and later-life mental health. I’d love to explore how meaningful occupational engagement – even in small, simple ways – can support recovery, connection and dignity in this often-overlooked population.
Q. How has occupational therapy influenced not just your career path, but your personal sense of purpose?
A. OT has completely reshaped how I see myself. I still live with chronic illness and face ongoing challenges, but now I know what’s possible. Occupational therapy has taught me that while we may not be able to take someone’s pain or difficulties away, we can support them in building a life around what still matters.
It’s also helped me feel like a person of value; someone who can walk alongside others in their journey. Many of the people we support don’t have belief in themselves at first and that’s where we, as professionals, step in.
We hold that belief until they’re ready to carry it for themselves. That’s what gives my work meaning every single day.
Q. From your perspective, what makes OT unique in the way it can help people discover – or rediscover – their potential?
A. Occupational therapy starts with the person, not their illness. It’s about recognising that everyone has the potential for growth and meaning, even when facing adversity. Through meaningful occupation, we help people reconnect with their identity and what makes life worth living.
Occupational therapy is about creating space for people to reimagine their lives and explore what can be, not just what’s been lost.
Often, individuals come to us at a point when they feel hopeless or stuck. They can’t always see the way forward and that’s when we step in, not to direct them, but to walk beside them. That’s where real change begins.
Q. Do you see a connection between your own journey with art and the therapeutic use of creativity in occupational therapy?
A. Absolutely. My own recovery has been shaped by creative engagement. Art has been a way to express, reflect and rebuild my confidence. I’m living proof of how creativity can be a powerful therapeutic tool.
That’s why I’m so passionate about incorporating creative practices into occupational therapy. It’s not just about making – it’s about having a creative outlet for expression, connecting with meaning, identity and possibility, especially during times of struggle.
Q. What does recognition from the Royal Academy mean to you personally and professionally?
A. It’s been an incredible experience. Being accepted into the Royal Academy Summer Show – and later into the Royal West oF England Academy with two more paintings – was both surprising and validating that it wasn’t a fluke.
Personally, it helped me reconnect with my identity as an artist. Professionally, it’s shown me how art and healthcare can work side by side, that creativity and clinical work aren’t separate, but complementary. It’s opened up new conversations about the role of creativity in recovery and mental wellbeing.
Q. Looking ahead, what’s next for you as both an artist and a healthcare professional?
A. I’m continuing to apply for creative opportunities and am preparing for a solo exhibition next year. At the same time, I’m beginning my third-year placement in oncology, finishing my dissertation, and preparing to apply for the Master’s in Research.
I’m also hoping to explore how I can combine my research, practice and art in a way that allows me to travel and share these ideas more widely, continuing to bridge the worlds of creativity and occupational therapy.
Words LEILA NELSON, in conversation with Tracey Samuels, Editor, OTnews