I decided to do my first post over the theory of occupational
adaptation (OA). The theory of occupational adaptation describes the
integration of two global concepts that have long been present in occupational
therapy thinking: occupation and adaptation. Most occupational therapy is
driven by the assumption that as clients become more functional, they will be
more adaptive. The theory of occupational adaptation takes the opposite point
of view. Practice based on OA is driven by the assumption that if clients
become more adaptive, they will become more functional. The theory is backed by
six guiding assumptions about the relationship between occupational performance
and human adaptation. The theory proposes that equilibrium or homeostasis can
result in a state of dysadaptation. Personal adaptation is proposed in the theory
as a human phenomenon that is in a continuous process of order and disorder and
reorganization. I really like the approach this theory takes with the therapeutic
process.
For this post I decided to discuss just what a therapeutic relationship is and what it entails. A therapeutic relationship is defined as the interaction between an occupational therapist practitioner and their client. Therapeutic relationships differ from everyday relationships, in that they are key in facilitating the healing and rehabilitation process. They also differ from the typical relationship in that it's not about both people but strictly about the client and meeting their needs. Developing and sustaining therapeutic relationships involves the ability to develop trust, demonstrate empathy, understand verbal and nonverbal communication, and the use of active listening. Trust is one of the most important aspects in any type of relationship to me. Once trust is obtained the client feels more comfortable with sharing personal information which in turn greatly benefits the intervention process. Developing empathy is another huge part of this process, the client must believe tha...
Well articulated! We'll be talking about this theory in class next week.
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