Client-Centred Practice: The True Impact

Abstract

1993 marks the tenth anniversary of the release of the Guidelines for the Client-Centred Practice of Occupational Therapy which are now central to many clinical programmes and evaluation tools. This discussion paper presents some questions about how the model of client-centred practice is being applied by occupational therapists, and asks whether or not therapists clearly understand the implications of the model. The advantages of this model, such as the ability for the diverse definition of the term “client”, its applicability to community practice, and the presentation of therapeutic challenges, are discussed. The author also provides her opinion about how the truly client-centred process should be applied.