Occupational Therapy Interventions

Overview

     Occupational therapists help people participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). At the core of occupational therapy is a belief in health through doing. "Doing" may range from participating in practical and leisure activities to more subtle activities such as cultivating empathy or identifying values.
     Psychosocial occupational therapy interventions seek to optimize human functioning using a holistic approach. Interventions may facilitate reaching a youth’s goals surrounding social skills, communication skills, decision-making, problem-solving, emotional regulation, coping strategies, healthy risk-taking, attention span and focus, intrinsic motivation, values identification, positive self-concept, time management, agency and self-efficacy. Interventions are customized to leverage a youth’s interests and strengths, facilitate optimal well-being, and to match a youth’s stage of development. OTTP occupational therapists practice client-centered, trauma-informed care.
    For a visual tour representing a small sampling of possible interventions, view our OT slideshow above.

Core Beliefs

• There is a positive relationship between occupation and health (physical/emotional)
• ”All people need to...engage in the occupations of their need and choice, to grow through what they do, and to experience independence or interdependence, equality, participation, security, health and well being.” 
• Occupations structure daily life, are central to our identity and sense of competence, and have particular meaning and value to us.
• Health and well being can be affected by environmental barriers to participation.

American Occupational Therapy Association (2002). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56, 609-639.