OTA 120 - Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Practice

Credits: 3
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Lab Contact Hours: 2
Description: This course will examine concepts, theories, models and frames of reference influencing occupational therapy practice in a psychosocial setting. Descriptions of commonly treated mental health conditions will be presented along with intervention strategies to achieve functional outcomes. Students will practice using standard assessment tools and develop treatment plans that consider learning methods, context and client factors. Activity analysis and therapeutic use of technology, media and expressive art will be emphasized. Students will learn to interact effectively and safely throughout the occupational therapy process, explore documentation styles, examine ethical considerations and the OTA’s roles and responsibilities, including the supervisory relationship with the occupational therapist.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. COMA 200 . OTA 110 . PSYCH 229 .
Corequisites: OTA 115 . OTA 130 . OTA 135 .
Recommended: None

Course Category: Occupational
This Course is Typically Offered: Fall
Check Course Availability

Course Competencies
1. Examine the history of mental health occupational therapy and its connection to current practice.

2. Determine appropriate assessments and interventions based on theories and frames of reference for conditions and diseases common in mental health settings.

3. Outline the occupational therapy process in mental health treatment.

4. Relate occupational therapy models of practice to the group process.

5. Differentiate group interventions to promote occupational performance skills across the lifespan.

6. Relate occupation selection with the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic and diversity factors, in addition to lifestyle choices, to meet the client needs.

7. Explain the relevance of a therapeutic milieu in mental health treatment.

8. Analyze the aspects of the client interview process, including observation and data gathering.

9. Outline side effects of psychoactive agents and their impact on occupational therapy treatment.

10. Model therapeutic use of self for optimal client outcome in both group and individual treatment.

11. Establish occupation-based intervention plans based on the collaboratively identified needs of the client during the evaluation process.

12. Modify intervention approaches to reflect the needs of the client or group.

13. Analyze, in collaboration with the occupational therapist and other mental health professionals, the therapeutic interventions specific to the client’s mental health diagnoses.

14. Defend the use of occupation and purposeful activities in individual and group settings to achieve therapy goals.

15. Compose documentation that effectively communicates the need and rationale for mental health occupational therapy services.

16. Determine safety concerns and contra-indications related to evaluation and treatment in a mental health setting.

17. Differentiate crisis intervention techniques in addressing a client’s needs.

18. Determine ethical conflict resolution strategies surrounding treatment.

19. Outline ethical and practical considerations that affect receipt of mental health services from those who are at risk for social injustice, occupational deprivation and disparity.

20. Determine strategies for consumers, potential employers, colleagues, third party payers, regulatory boards, policymakers and the general public to understand the distinct nature of how occupation supports performance, participation, health and wellness.