Therapeutic Use Of Self in Occupational Therapy – Study Topic Overview

In this overview

  An essential concept in occupational therapy is the therapeutic use of self. As an OT practitioner, your personality, perceptions, and particularities become valuable assets in therapy. This conscious use optimizes patient interactions, helping to foster a collaborative environment to accomplish patient-centered goals.

Understanding the Therapeutic Use of Self

What is therapeutic use of self? It’s the process by which OT practitioners use personal attributes and insights to enhance therapeutic outcomes. By cultivating a positive relationship with patients, therapists can better comprehend the unique experiences of individuals living with disabilities.
  • Develop professional relationships: Essential for promoting patient engagement in therapy.
  • Goal-oriented guidance: Encourages progression towards patient-defined occupational goals.
In our full guide, explore how your unique traits can transform therapy outcomes with real-world case examples.

Mosey’s 11 Elements for Effective Patient Relations

As a practitioner, applying Mosey’s elements can significantly enhance your therapeutic dynamics with patients.
  • Embrace individuality and respect all rights and dignity.
  • Cultivate empathy, compassion, and maintain honesty.
  • Flexibility and self-awareness can adapt therapy processes to patient needs.
Reflect on each interaction’s impact on your patient to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

Intentional Relationship Model and Its 6 Modes

The Intentional Relationship Model outlines six modes that shape how you interact with patients.
  • Advocating: Support patients in accessing resources, such as school accommodations or workplace modifications.
  • Collaborating: Involve patients in all stages of therapeutic planning.
  • Empathizing: Tune into patient emotions to adjust interventions suitably.
  • Encouraging: Motivate and guide with positivity, urging incremental goals.
  • Instructing: Educate thoroughly in skills and adaptations needed for better living.
  • Problem-solving: Work with patients through complex scenarios and resource access.
Explore our members-only section to see how these modes play out with in-depth scenarios and analysis.

Core Principles of the Therapeutic Use of Self

Develop a self-awareness framework to manage your role in interventions and maintain trust with patients via:
  • Consistent support and empathetic communication.
  • Using genuineness and warmth to build enduring patient relationships.

4 Techniques to Enhance Therapeutic Use of Self

Understanding how therapeutic use of self involves various techniques ensures that you provide patient-centered care.
  • Attunement: Stay present, maintain appropriate body language and tone.
  • Unconditional Positive Regard: Accept patients’ efforts and encourage self-determined choices.
  • Self-disclosure: Share insights prudently to strengthen the therapeutic alliance.
  • Balance Power Differentials: Work collaboratively, valuing patients’ expertise about their own lives.
An effective use of therapeutic self comprises empathy, active listening, and a patient-centered perspective. Want detailed practice tips to ace the NBCOT® exam? Join now for full access!
What is the therapeutic use of self in occupational therapy?

The therapeutic use of self is a process by which OT practitioners utilize their personal attributes and insights to improve therapeutic outcomes. By forming positive relationships with patients, therapists gain a better understanding of the unique experiences of individuals living with disabilities.

The Intentional Relationship Model outlines six modes—advocating, collaborating, empathizing, encouraging, instructing, and problem-solving—that guide OT practitioners in their interactions with patients. These modes help therapists tailor their approach to meet the specific needs and emotions of their patients, ensuring personalized and effective therapeutic engagement.

Mosey’s elements emphasize key aspects like respecting individuality, cultivating empathy and compassion, maintaining honesty, and practicing flexibility and self-awareness. These elements are essential for fostering strong therapeutic relationships and enhancing patient engagement in occupational therapy.

Key techniques include attunement (staying present with appropriate body language and tone), unconditional positive regard (accepting patients’ efforts), self-disclosure (prudently sharing insights to build therapeutic alliances), and balancing power differentials (collaborating with patients as equals in their care). These approaches help in providing effective patient-centered care.

Trust is built through consistent support, empathetic communication, demonstrating genuineness, and warmth. These factors contribute to enduring patient relationships, essential for successful therapeutic interventions in occupational therapy.

What Our Students Say

4.8
5.0
(351 Reviews)
4.9
(67 Reviews)

Module Overviews

Unlock Access with a 5-Day Risk-Free Trial!

By enrolling in our program, you can access the full assessment test to see where you stand, and all content to get a feel for the program.

Choose Your Program to crush the NBCOT® Exam

Unlock access with a 5-Day Risk-Free Trial

$19.99 per week after your trial ends (cancelable any time)