Therapeutic Use of Self

therapeutic use of self

Intentonal conscious eforts of the therapist

• Goal: optmize interactons with clients

• Body language

• Verbal language

• Behaviors and acton

intentional relationship model

Intended to complement existng OT conceptual practce models rather than to replace any single model.

• The intentonal relatonship model (IRM) views the therapeutc relatonship in 4 central elements.

1. Client

2. Interpersonal events that occur during therapy

3. OTP

4. Occupaton

client interpersonal characteristics

• Communication style

• Capacity for trust

• Need for control

• Capacity to assert needs

• Response to challenge & change

• Affect

• Predispositon for giving feedback

• Capacity to receive feedback

• Response to Diversity

• Orientaton towards relating

• Preference for touch

• Capacity for reciprocity

affect

General observable emotional expressions

• "flat affect” : lack of expression

steps of interpersonal reasoning process

1. Antcipate

2. Identfy and cope

3. Determine if a mode shif is required

4. Choose a response mode or mode sequence

5. Draw on any relevant interpersonal skills

6. Gather feedback

inevitable interpersonal events in OT

• Expression of a strong emoton

• Intmate self-disclosure

• Power dilemmas

• Nonverbal cues

• Crisis points

• Resistance and reluctance

• Boundary testng

• Empathetc breaks

• Emotonally charged situatons

• Limitatons of therapy

• Contextual inconsistencies

therapeutic modes

1. Advocating

2. Collaborating

3. Empathizing

4. Encouraging

5. Instructing

6. Problem Solving

advocating

Ensure rights are enforced

Example:

• Therapist serves as facilitator, negotator, enforcer, etc

collaborating 

Client is actve and equal partcipant in the therapy process

• Ensure choice, freedom, autonomy

Example:

• Include client perspectve in medical care

• Active cancer tx vs palliatve care

empathizing

Understand client thoughts and feelings without judgment

Example:

• Validate feelings

encouraging

• Instill hope

• Positve reinforcement

Example:

• Joyfulness, playfulness, joking

instructing 

• Structured experience with clear explanaton

• Planned, sequenced events

Example:

• Step by step process

problem solving

Analytcal thinking

Examples:

• Posing strategic questons