OCTH 626: Psychosocial Occupational Therapy
Prerequisite: Successful completion of OCTH 610, 612, 614 and 616 or permission of
the Chair
Credit Hours: (3)
Develops knowledge and skills for addressing the psychosocial needs of all clients,
and for clinical practice with adults with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities
affecting their occupational performance. Applies the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance
model, and introduces other theoretical models and frames of reference that inform
psychosocial occupational therapy.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Topics include:
- The disability experience
- Family perspectives on illness and disability
- Therapeutic use of self
- The teaching-learning process
- Psychobiological factors: Regulation of body systems and behaviors
- Medication issues in psychosocial practice
- Safety considerations in behavioral health settings
- Behavior management and de-escalation techniques
- Classification systems for psychiatric disorders and mental retardation
- Theoretical models guiding practice in behavioral health and adult developmental disabilities
- Assessment of the individual with psychosocial or cognitive dysfunction
- Occupational therapy intervention approaches
- Group dynamics and group interventions in psychosocial occupational therapy
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Readings, lectures, discussion and audiovisuals will be used, along with practice
in pairs and small groups with assessment and intervention techniques. Each student
will develop an intervention plan for a client described in a case study, and design
and lead a client-centered, occupation-based group.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts of human behavior relevant to
occupational therapy practice;
- Articulate an understanding of the history and philosophical base of occupational
therapy in mental health;
- Analyze the effects of mental health and genetic conditions on the individual and
his/her occupational performance, within the cultural context of family and society;
- Describe theories that underlie the practice of occupational therapy in mental health;
- Discuss how theories, models of practice and frames of reference are used in occupational
therapy evaluation and intervention in mental health settings;
- Compare and contrast models of practice and frames of reference used in psychosocial
occupational therapy;
- Select appropriate assessment tools based on client needs, contextual factors, and
psychometric properties of tests;
- Interpret evaluation data in relation to accepted terminology of the profession and
relevant theoretical frameworks;
- Develop occupation-based intervention plans and strategies based on the stated needs
of the client, as well as data gathered during the evaluation process and an understanding
of occupational therapy theory;
- Given a case study of a client with psychosocial and/or cognitive dysfunction, use
evaluation findings and appropriate theoretical constructs to develop an occupation-based
intervention plan;
- Given case studies, select individual and group occupational therapy interventions
to enhance safety, wellness, performance in ADLs and IADLs, prevoacational skills,
leisure and social participation;
- Given a case scenario, select compensatory strategies, such as adaptations to the
environment and involvement of caregivers, to enable clients to complete.
Assessment Measures
Participation in practice activities, tests, a graded intervention plan and group
protocol, and self/peer/instructor evaluations of group leadership skills may be used
to evaluate the outcomes of the course.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
Approved: April, 2010