Being Present with our Clients

As occupational therapists, we are in a valuable position to treat our clients in more ways than just addressing their physical needs. Sure we can test range of motion and implement activities that address certain client goals, but we can also address our clients' humanity and need for social connection through the often overlooked concept of the therapeutic relationship. One can go about establishing a therapeutic relationship in a number of ways, but one way this can be achieved is just by being wholly present with our clients as psychologist Debbie Hall says in her podcast on the power of presence. Being completely present is a state of being and not doing, which in American society, this concept is not necessarily valued because of the emphasis that we place on the need to do all things quickly and efficiently. By forming an intimate connection with our clients, we have the wonderful opportunity to prove the healing power that connecting with another in the quite of just being with them can have. One of the many wonderful impacts that being present can have is its ability to change all parties involved. Being present and just being there or listening to what our clients have to say is a very important role that we play as occupational therapists.