Collaborative Relationship-Focused Occupational Therapy: Evolving Lexicon and Practice

BACKGROUND. Client-centred practice has been part of occupational therapists’ identity for several decades. However, therapists have begun to question whether the term obstructs critical relational aspects of therapy. PURPOSE. The purpose of this article is to summarize critiques of the use of the term client-centred and propose an expanded descriptor and a fundamental shift in how occupational therapists engage with individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. KEY ISSUES. Three themes summarize critiques of how client-centred practice has been envisioned: (a) the language of client-centred, (b) insufficient appreciation of how the therapist affects the relationship, and (c) inadequate consideration of the relational context of occupation. We propose collaborative relationship-focused practice that has key relational elements of being contextually relevant, nuanced, and safe, and promotes rights-based self-determination. CONCLUSION. We argue that these essential relational elements, along with a focus on occupations, are required to promote occupational participation, equity, and justice.