INTERVENTIONS

Occupational Therapy Interventions

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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.

OT Domain / Scope of Practice

OT’s Established Body of Knowledge & Expertise

Areas of Occupation
Activities of Daily Living 
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living 
Rest & Sleep
Education
Work
Play
Leisure
Social Participation
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Client Factors
Values, Beliefs, Spirituality
Body Functions
Body Structures
Performance Skills
Sensory/Perceptual 
Motor & Praxis
Emotion Regulation
Cognitive 
Communication / Social
Performance Patterns
Habits
Routines
Roles
Rituals
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Context & Environment
Cultural
Personal
Physical
Social
Temporal
Virtual
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Activity Demands
Objects/properties
Space
 Social 
Sequencing / Timing
Required actions
Required body structures & function
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American Occupational Therapy Association (2002). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56, 609-639.

Psychotherapy Interventions

Overview

Psychotherapy is a general term for the treatment of a client's mental health problems or challenges by working with a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage Family Therapist, or other mental health clinician. During psychotherapy a client learns about their feelings, thoughts and behaviors and how to better cope and respond to life's challenges. Psychotherapy includes interactive processes between a person or group and a qualified mental health professional. Its purpose is the exploration of thoughts, feelings and behavior for the purpose of problem solving or achieving the most optimal levels of functioning. Psychotherapists use a range of different techniques and modalities when providing treatment to youth and families. Some of the most common ones used by OTTP Clinicians are: 
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• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Systems Theory/Therapy
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Play Therapy

Social Work Interventions

Overview

Social work practice, as defined by the National Association of Social Work (NASW), consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; and helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social and economic, and cultural institutions; and of the interaction of all these factors.  Case management is a large part of the social work services we provide to our youth and families.  Case management is the coordination of all the services the client might be receiving (not just from OTTP), in addition to linkage to other resources and advocating for client needs.