Client perception of a client-centered and occupation-based intervention for at-risk youth

Abstract

Background: A community-based occupational therapy program aims to provide client-centered and occupation-based interventions to at-risk youth. Objective: This pilot study explores how at-risk youth experiencing psychosocial and environmental barriers to occupation respond to client-centered and occupation-based occupational therapy in the community. Method: One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with five youth participants receiving individual therapy interventions through a community-based occupational therapy program. The transcript data were analyzed qualitatively. Results: Three themes emerged: (i) client-centered and occupation-based OT interventions, (ii) the youths’ increased self-advocacy, and (iii) the enhancement of youths’ perception of their future. Conclusion and significance: The youth in this study described OT interventions exemplifying client-centered and occupation-based therapy, a non-prescriptive approach that validates the individual and may prove especially effective in serving the at-risk youth population.

Key words:

• therapeutic relationship
• self-advocacy
• occupational therapy interventions
• mental and behavioral health
• community-based
• collaboration
• adolescents

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the five youth who candidly shared their experiences and perspectives with the researchers.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.