Therapeutic Relationships – OTA 102 Chapter 19

These vocabulary flashcards cover key terms from Chapter 19 of O'Brien & Conners, focusing on therapeutic relationships, stages of loss, self-awareness, communication, and the Intentional Relationship Model.

Psychology of Rehabilitation

The emotional process clients undergo in response to loss, often following Kubler-Ross’s stages; practitioners must recognize and support this process.

Sense of Loss

Feelings experienced by clients receiving OT when daily roles or abilities are disrupted.

Kubler-Ross Stages of Loss

Five universal reactions to loss—Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.

Denial

First grief stage in which the client refuses to believe the condition or its impact.

Anger

Second grief stage marked by frustration or hostility toward self, others, or circumstance.

Bargaining

Third stage where the client negotiates (often with a higher power) to regain what was lost.

Depression

Fourth stage characterized by sadness, withdrawal, or hopelessness about the loss.

Acceptance

Final stage in which the client acknowledges the reality of the loss and begins adapting.

Therapeutic Relationship

Planned interaction in OT where the client, not the practitioner, is the primary beneficiary of the relationship.

Therapeutic Use of Self

Practitioner’s conscious employment of personality, insights, and communication to benefit the client.

Self-Awareness

Understanding one’s own feelings, strengths, limitations, and environment; critical for effective therapy.

Ideal Self

The person an individual would like to be in perfect circumstances.

Perceived Self

How an individual believes others view them.

Real Self

True feelings, strengths, and limitations combined with environmental reality.

Internal Locus of Control

Belief that one’s own actions determine outcomes.

External Locus of Control

Belief that outside forces or luck dictate outcomes.

Self-Awareness Exercises

Activities such as journaling, group participation, seeking feedback, video review, and giving feedback to enhance self-knowledge.

Skills for Effective Therapeutic Relationships

Adaptable techniques and cultural sensitivity refined through practice to work successfully with diverse clients.

Developing Trust

Building client confidence through consistency, honesty, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries.

Self-Disclosure (in OT)

Selective sharing of personal information by the practitioner; must be limited, never during client crisis, and exclude personal contact details.

Empathy

Ability to understand and share the feelings or experiences of another, fostered by reading, interviews, or experiential labs.

Verbal Communication

Spoken words used to convey thoughts and gather information during therapy.

Nonverbal Communication

Body language, facial expressions, posture, and tone that convey meaning without words.

Active Listening

Intentional effort to hear, process, and respond to a client using restatement, reflection, and clarification.

Restatement

Repeating the client’s words to confirm understanding.

Reflection

Paraphrasing both content and emotion to show comprehension of the client’s message.

Clarification

Asking questions or summarizing to ensure accurate understanding of the client’s message.

Intentional Relationship Model (IRM)

Framework describing six interpersonal modes practitioners use to meet client needs.

Advocating (IRM Mode)

Ensuring the client’s rights and resources are protected and accessed.

Collaborating (IRM Mode)

Promoting client autonomy through joint decision-making.

Empathizing (IRM Mode)

Listening and validating the client’s feelings to build trust.

Encouraging (IRM Mode)

Boosting client motivation and confidence through positive feedback.

Instructing (IRM Mode)

Providing clear information, feedback, and training to the client.

Problem-Solving (IRM Mode)

Facilitating reasoning and finding practical solutions to occupational challenges.