Although occupational therapy literature emphasizes the importance of therapeutic use of self, there have been few studies of the interpersonal strategies used in response to different client needs. This study sought to explore therapists' use of self according to the Intentional Relationship Model by examining the use of different modes of interacting with clients. A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1,000 practicing occupational therapists. Sixty-four percent responded and 563 met inclusion criteria. Modes used most to least often were: encouraging, collaborating, problem-solving, instructing, and empathizing. Mode use did not differ according to client population. Therapists who experienced more difficult behaviors and emotions reported higher levels of using all modes. Therapists facing difficult behavior in general were more likely to report use of the instructing and problem-solving modes. Therapists with anxious clients reported greater use of the problem-solving mode, whereas therapists with depressed clients reported increased use of problem-solving, collaborating, and empathizing modes. Implications for occupational therapy practice and education are discussed.
AllisonH., & StrongJ. (1994). Verbal strategies used by occupational therapists in direct client encounters. The Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 14, 112–129.
2.
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2002). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56, 609–639.
3.
AndersonJ., & HinojosaJ. (1984). Parents and therapists in a professional partnership. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 38, 452–461.
4.
Ayres-RosaS., & HasselkusB. R. (1996). Connecting with patients: The personal experience of professional helping. The Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 16, 245–260.
5.
BaumC. M. (1980). Occupational therapists put care in the health system. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 34, 505–516.
DevereauxE. B. (1984). Occupational therapy's challenge: The caring relationship. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 38, 791–798.
8.
EklundM. (1996). Working relationship, participation and outcome in a psychiatric day care unit based on occupational therapy. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 3, 106–113.
9.
EklundM., & HallbergI. (2001). Psychiatric occupational therapists' verbal interaction with their clients. Occupational Therapy International, 8, 1–16.
10.
FowlerF. (1995). Improving survey questions: Applied social research methods series (Vol. 38). London, England: SAGE Publications.
11.
GiesbrechtE. (2006). Pressure ulcers and occupational therapy practice: A Canadian perspective. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73, 56–63.
12.
GilfoyleE. M. (1980). Caring: A philosophy for practice. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 34, 517–521.
13.
GuidettiS., & ThamK. (2002). Therapeutic strategies used by occupational therapists in self-care training: A qualitative study. Occupational Therapy International, 9, 257–276.
14.
HannaK., & RodgerS. (2002). Towards family-centered practice in paediatric occupational therapy: A review of the literature on parent-therapist collaboration. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 49, 14–24.
15.
HinojosaJ.SproatC. T.MankhetwitS., & AndersonJ. (2002). Shifts in parent-therapist partnerships: Twelve years of change. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56, 556–563.
16.
HowardK.OrlinskyD. E., & TrattnerG. H. (1970). Therapist orientation and patient experience. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 17, 203–227.
17.
JenkinsM.MallettJ.O'NeillC.McFaddenM., & BairdH. (1994). Insights into ‘practice’ communication: An interactional approach. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57, 297–302.
18.
JonesP.DrummondA., & VellaK. (2007). Occupational therapy for children with acquired brain injury: A survey of current practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70, 154–160.
19.
KingL. J. (1980). Creative caring. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 34, 522–528.
20.
KvizF. J. (1998). Nonresponse in sample surveys. In CottonT. & ArmitageP. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of biostatistics. Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons.
LawM.BaptisteS., & MillsJ. (1995). Client-centred practice: What does it mean and does it make a difference?Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 250–257.
23.
LloydC., & MassF. (1992). Interpersonal skills and occupational therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55, 379–382.
24.
MuK.LohmanH., & ScheirtonL. (2006). Occupational therapy practice errors in physical rehabilitation and geriatrics settings: A national survey study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60, 288–297.
25.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. (2004). A practice analysis study of entry-level occupational therapist registered and certified occupational therapy assistant practice. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 24(Suppl.), S1–S31.
26.
NorrbyE., & BellnerA.-L. (1995). The helping encounter: Occupational therapists' perception of therapeutic relationships. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 9(1), 41–46.
27.
PeloquinS. M. (2005). Embracing our ethos, reclaiming our heart. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 59, 611–625.
RestallG.RipatJ., & SternM. (2003). A framework of strategies for client-centered practice. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70, 103–112. Erratum in: Can J Occup Ther.2003; 70: 169.
30.
SumsionT. (2000). A revised occupational therapy definition of client-centered practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63, 304–309.
31.
SumsionT. (2003). Focus on research … Defining client-centred occupational therapy practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66, 218.
32.
TownsendE. (2003). Reflections on power and justice in enabling occupation. Revue Canadienne D'Ergotherapie, 70, 74–87.
33.
TaylorR. R. (2008). The intentional relationship: Occupational therapy and use of self. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.
34.
TaylorR. R.LeeS.-W.KielhofnerG., & KetkarM. (2009). The therapeutic relationship: A nationwide survey of practitioners' attitudes and experiences. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63, 198–207.
35.
YerxaE. J. (1980). Occupational therapy's role in creating a future climate of caring. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 34, 529–679.
