Occupation emerges in the process of therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The current literature offers no cohesive definition of occupation-based practice. Current definitions emphasize intervention forms and contexts, which do not reflect the complexity of practice. This article demonstrates that the therapeutic relationship and the meanings that are created in the therapy process are central aspects of occupation-based practice. Occupation, as an idea that emerges in the therapeutic process, has aspects of both doing and becoming.


METHODS
The authors conducted observation sessions and interviews with an occupational therapist, Nancy, who used multiple therapeutic strategies with one child, Hannah, as they worked toward Hannah's goals of going to preschool and becoming a friend.


RESULTS
Strategies include changing therapeutic conditions, using cognitive strategies, bridging the person-task-social context, pushing participation, and engaging in narrative micronegotiations.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupation emerged in the therapeutic processes as the occupational therapist and client co-created meaning about the client moving toward or away from who she wanted to become.
University of Utah, Division of Occupational Therapy, 520 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA. pollie.price@hsc.utah.edu
Pollie
P
Price
Stephanie
S
Miner
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010372:Pediatrics; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*