Mental Health Evaluations & Interventions in OT w/Lab

Catalog description

This course explores the evaluation of occupational performance, performance components, and occupational environments focused on psychosocial factors and mental health across the lifespan, with an emphasis on adults and older adult populations. Issues related to screening, assessment, evaluation, and the interpretation of typical occupational performance problems evaluated by occupational therapists will be investigated and addressed. The course further focuses on applying occupation -based interventions in psychosocial settings. Occupational therapy theories and frames of reference are used to identify and prevent/reduce occupational performance problems related to psychosoci al dysfunction. Intervention strategies targeting primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention are explored and critically analyzed. Common settings where occupational therapists address psychosocial conditions and/or impairments is explored. Finally, this course exposes students to research associated with emerging roles for occupational therapists in health promotion, prevention, and primary healthcare. Students are challenged to conceptualize how occupational therapy can meet growing societal needs in the context of population health issues and initiatives, an occupational justice framework, and models of behavior change.