Trauma, Occupation, and Participation: Foundations and Population Considerations in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy practitioners are essential for helping children and adults with complex trauma histories feel safe, regulate emotions, develop relationships, and gain mastery over their environment and occupations. This comprehensive text provides evidence-based models of assessment and intervention to support trauma-responsive care across contexts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: American Occupational Therapy

Children and adults who have experienced complex trauma require a sense of safety, the ability to manage emotions, the ability to form relationships, and the ability to master their environment and important occupations. Occupational therapy practitioners are essential members of the complex trauma treatment team due to their expertise in the cognitive, social, emotional, and sensory aspects of occupation. This comprehensive text provides occupational therapy practitioners with guidance on implementing trauma-responsive care with their clients in various contexts, using evidence-based models of assessment and intervention.

Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and communities and aims to provide support and healing in a safe and supportive environment. It recognizes that trauma can have a profound effect on an individual's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being and that it can affect their ability to function in daily life.

Occupational therapy practitioners are well-positioned to provide trauma-informed care because they have expertise in the cognitive, social, emotional, and sensory aspects of occupation. They can help individuals develop skills and strategies to manage their symptoms and improve their functioning in daily life.

One of the key components of trauma-informed care is the development of a safe and supportive relationship between the practitioner and the client. This relationship is built on trust, respect, and empathy and is essential for the client to feel comfortable and supported in the therapeutic process.

Occupational therapy practitioners can use a variety of techniques and interventions to provide trauma-informed care, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, and sensory integration therapies. These techniques can help individuals develop coping strategies, manage their symptoms, and improve their overall functioning.

In addition to individual therapy, occupational therapy practitioners can also work with families and communities to provide trauma-informed care. This can involve providing education and training to families and communities about the impact of trauma and how to support individuals who have experienced trauma. It can also involve working with community organizations to develop trauma-responsive policies and practices.

Overall, occupational therapy practitioners are valuable members of the complex trauma treatment team because of their expertise in the cognitive, social, emotional, and sensory aspects of occupation. Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma and aims to provide support and healing in a safe and supportive environment. By using a variety of techniques and interventions, occupational therapy practitioners can help individuals develop skills and strategies to manage their symptoms and improve their overall functioning.

Weight: 1128g
Dimension: 218 x 279 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781569005996