Psychiatric occupational therapists' verbal interaction with their clients

This study reports from a survey investigating psychiatric occupational therapists' (n=292) use of verbal interaction on a regular basis with their clients. Among predefined areas of verbal interaction, routine occupations, self-image and ego-strengthening interventions were among the most frequently given alternatives. Verbal interaction with clients was more common among occupational therapists in outpatient care than among those in inpatient care. Verbal interaction with clients was also more common among occupational therapists with advanced education in psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy. The respondents' use of theoretical frames of reference was related to the focus of their verbal interaction with clients. Interventions to reach certain goals emerged as the most common category of verbal interactions. It was concluded that verbal interaction with clients is essential to the occupational therapy process. Future research needs to investigate the interplay between verbal and non-verbal components of interaction in occupational therapy and how patients benefit from these elements.