Revised 08/25

OCT 201 - Occupational Therapy with Psychosocial Dysfunction (3 CR.)

Course Description

Focuses on the theory and application of occupational therapy in the evaluation and treatment of psychosocial dysfunction. Includes a survey of conditions which cause emotional, mental and social disability, as well as the role of the occupational therapy assistant in the assessment, planning and implementation of treatment programs. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with various psychosocial conditions across the lifespan and related theoretical underpinnings to psychosocial occupational therapy. This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of evaluation tools and client-centered occupational therapy interventions focused on enhancing occupational performance and participation in individuals and groups with psychosocial dysfunction. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

 Prerequisite: Completion of OTA program semester 1 and 2 coursework.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of human development throughout the lifespan (infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults); developmental psychology, and concepts of human behavior to include the behavioral sciences, psychology, and abnormal psychology. Understand how occupational performance is affected by the effects of mental illness. .  (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standards B 1.1, B.1.2, and B.2.6)
  • Explain the role of sociocultural; socioeconomic; and diversity, equity, and inclusion factors, as well as lifestyle choices in contemporary society to meet the needs of persons, groups, and populations. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standard B.1,2)
  • Utilize clinical reasoning to facilitate occupation-based interventions that address client deficits in performance skills, performance patterns, and client factors. This must include interventions focused on creation/promotion, establish/ restore, maintain, modify/ compensate/adapt, prevention. . (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standards B.3.9 and B.3.2)
  • Contribute to the evaluation process of client(s)’ occupational performance by completing an occupational profile and by administering standardized and non-standardized screenings and assessment tools. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standard B.3.3)
  • Provide training in techniques to enhance community mobility, and address transportation transitions, including community access. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standard B.3.11)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the intervention strategies that remediate and/or compensate for functional cognitive deficits, and psychosocial and behavioral health deficits that affect occupational performance. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standards B.3.9, B.3.6, B.5.1)
  • Understand that occupations are a therapeutic intervention and can support self-advocacy. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standards B.3.9, B.3.6, B.5.1)
  • Understand intervention plans and strategies must be client centered, culturally relevant, reflective of current occupational therapy practice, and based on available evidence. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standards B.3.9, B.3.6, B.5.1)
  • Understand therapeutic use of self, including one’s personality, insights, perceptions, and judgments, as part of the therapeutic process in both individual and group interaction.
  • Identify and communicate to the occupational therapist the need to design community and primary care programs to support occupational performance for persons, groups, or populations. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standard B.3.20)
  • Identify and communicate to the occupational therapist the need to refer to specialists both internal and external to the profession, including community agencies. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE standard B.3.17)
  • Implement a discharge plan from occupational therapy services that was developed by the occupational therapist in collaboration with the client and members of the interprofessional team by reviewing the needs of the client, caregiver, family, and significant others; available resources; and discharge environment. (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standard B.3.10)

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Common psychosocial conditions and related evaluation tools and interventions to enhance occupational performance and participation in areas of occupation.
  • Cognitive deficits related to psychosocial conditions and strategies for remediation and/or compensation.
  • Group dynamics and group development
  • Therapeutic use of self and its application to occupational therapy practice.
  • Occupational therapy process related to psychosocial dysfunction
  • Prevention and promotion of wellness
  • Teaching learning process and Health Literacy (aligns with 2023 ACOTE Standard B.3.19)