grantor:
University of TorontoUsing an exploratory qualitative approach, data were collected on the perceptions of helping from six psychiatric occupational therapists and two clients of each therapist. Adopting an empowerment theoretical perspective, this study explored the experiences in occupational therapy that clients and their therapists perceive as helpful. In addition, barriers to helping were also examined. Clients and therapists shared many perceptions regarding benefits of the supportive relationship and of valued group dynamics. However, differences emerged with regard to the issues clients named as barriers to helping. These included the concrete problems of poverty, unemployment, social isolation, harmful effects of institutionalization, and stigma. Therapists did acknowledge the sick role as a major barrier but tended to assume a clinical perspective consistent with their training and focused on individual functional skill deficits as areas of concern. This study demonstrated the relevance of an empowerment analysis for helping psychiatric occupational therapy clients.M.A
