Campus Location:Georgetown, WilmingtonEffectiveDate: 2018-51
CourseNumberandTitle:OTA224 PsychosocialIntervention
Prerequisite:
Co-requisite:
OTA120, PSY 223
OTA221, OTA 223
CourseCredits andHours:4 credits
4lecturehours/week
1lab hours/week
CourseDescription:This courseintroduces thetheoryandapplicationofoccupational therapytechniques with a focus on mental healthand well-being. Skills aredeveloped to facilitate grouptreatment in avarietyof clinical settings.
RequiredText(s):Obtain current information at or visit the bookstore. (Check your course schedule for the course number and section.)
Additional Materials:All campus program andpolicymanuals.
MethodofInstruction:Classroom
Disclaimer:
CoreCoursePerformanceObjectives:
1.Demonstrateprofessional behaviors duringthestudyofthetheoryand application of
techniques intreatingclients with psychosocial conditions. (CCC3, 4; PGC 5)
2.Discusspsychiatric diagnosesaspresented in theDiagnosticandStatistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (DSM-V). (CCC1; PGC 1)
3.Applykeyconcepts oftheoccupational therapyprocess forindividuals with psychosocial
conditions. (CCC1, 2, 3,5; PGC 1)
4.Describeoccupational therapymodelsofpractice and practicesettings specific to clients with psychosocialconditions. (CCC5; PGC1)
5.Applyoccupational therapyprinciples, including adaptingtheoccupation and purposefulactivity,modifyingthecontext, and therapeutically respondingto client
behaviors. (CCC2; PGC1)
6.Developand implementgroup protocolstoenhanceoccupational performance. (CCC2,
5; PGC 1,4)
7.Recognizeatriskbehaviors andpotentiallydangerous situations,and identifyappropriate safetyprocedures. (CCC2, 4; PGC 1, 2)
SeeCore Curriculum Competencies(CCC)and Program Graduate Competencies(PGC)at the end of thesyllabus. Course objectives arecoded to the competency(cies)theydevelop.
MeasurablePerformanceObjectives:
Upon completion ofthis course, the student will:
1.Demonstrateprofessional behaviors duringthestudyofthetheoryandapplication of techniques intreatingclients with psychosocialconditions.
1.1Demonstrate appropriateprofessionalbehaviors inthe classroom.
1.2Respond appropriatelytoconstructivefeedback.
1.3Demonstrate theabilityto self-assess and modifyresponses.
1.4Demonstrate sound judgment regardingsafetyofselfand others adheringto safetyprecautions during all activities.
2.Discusspsychiatric diagnoses as presentedintheDiagnostic andStatistical Manual of
Mental Disorders(DSM-V).
2.1Describesigns and symptomsofmentalhealth diagnoses.
2.2Describethe application oftheDSM-V to occupational therapyintervention.
2.3Describemedicaland somaticinterventions that enhanceoccupational performance.
2.4Identifypsychotropic medications,theirside effects,and implications foroccupational therapy.
3.Applykeyconcepts oftheoccupational therapyprocess for individuals with psychosocialconditions.
3.1Discusstheinfluenceofsociocultural, socioeconomic,diversityfactors, lifestyle
choices,andethicalcontexts in which aclientchooses and participatesin occupations.
3.2Discussethicaland practical considerations thataffectthehealthand welfare needs ofthosewhoareexperiencingoratrisk forsocial injustice,occupational
deprivation,and disparityinthe receipt of services.
3.3Describetheimportanceoftheuseofoccupationandknowledgeofglobal social issue forOT’s rolein health promotion/wellnessandprevention of disease and disabilityfor theindividual, family,and populations who areat risk.
3.4Describethebasic featuresofthetheoriesthatunderliethepracticeof occupational therapy.
3.5DescribeappropriateOTassessmentsaddressingoccupational performanceand/or
performanceskills to address mentalhealth issues.
3.6Identifytherolesand responsibilitiesfortheregistered occupational therapist (OTR) andcertified occupational therapyassistant (COTA) in documentation, screening, intervention,collaboration and referral for additionalevaluationinthe mental health setting.
3.7Collect, organize, andreport on data for evaluation of client outcomesunder the direction ofanadministrator,manager,or occupational therapist.
3.8Describeand demonstratethe abilityto participatein thedocumentation of ongoingprocesses forqualityimprovement and implement programchangesas needed to ensurequalityofservices.
4.Describeoccupational therapymodelsofpractice and practicesettings specific to clients with psychosocialconditions.
4.1Identifytherelationship ofhuman behavior tooccupation, purposeful activity,and
occupationalperformancethroughoutthe lifespanto various occupational therapy practicemodels.
4.2Identifyinterventionsconsistent with modelsofoccupationalperformanceto variouspsychosocialconditions.
4.3Describebasicfeaturesoftheoriesthat underliethepracticeofoccupational therapywith afocus onmentalhealth andwell-being.
4.4Describebasic features ofoccupationaltherapymodelsofpracticeand frames of
referencethat areused for thepopulationwithpsychosocialconditions.
4.5Describethe contexts ofhealth care,education, community,and social systemsastheyrelatetothepractice ofoccupational therapy.
4.6Identifystrategies toassistthe consumerin gainingaccess tooccupational therapy
services for psychosocialconditions.
5.Applyoccupational therapyprinciples, includingadaptingtheoccupation, purposeful activity, modifying thecontext, and therapeuticallyrespondingto client behaviors.
5.1Discusstheimportanceofbalancingareasofoccupation for thepromotion of health and prevention ofdiseases for theindividual,family,and society.
5.2Demonstrate task analysis inthe areas ofoccupation, performanceskills,
performance patterns, activitydemands,context and environments, and client factors toimplement theintervention plan.
5.3Select and providerationalein ordertoadhereto safetyregulations throughout theOTprocess as appropriate to thesettingand scopeofpractice.
5.4Provide trainingin self-care,self-management, health management and maintenance,homemanagement, communitymobility,communityaccess, andworkintegration.
5.5Describetechniques for relatingto clientswhen usingtherapeuticuseofself.
5.6Describeappropriatestrategies forselecting,gradingand adaptingthe occupations,purposefulactivities, materials,andenvironmentin order to meet thechangingneeds ofthe clientand thesociocultural context.
5.7Describeethical issues that areinvolved duringatherapeutic relationship.
6.Developandimplementgroup protocolstoenhanceoccupationalperformance.
6.1Definekeyconcepts associatedwith group processin OTintervention.
6.2Describethevarious developmentalgroups,theircharacteristics, and theroles of thegroup leader.
6.3Describetheactivities used ingroupsthatfacilitatedevelopment ofperformance skills and occupational performance.
6.4Develop and implement agroupintervention based on theprinciples ofgroup developmentand group dynamicsacross thelifespanwhiledemonstrating the
skillsnecessarytoeffectivelylead/co-lead agroup.
6.5Participatein experiential group learning activities.
6.6Respond appropriatelyto client behaviorsusingtherapeuticuseofselfina roleplayscenario.
6.7Self-assessone’s participation ingroup learningexperiences.
7.Recognizeat riskbehaviors andpotentiallydangerous situations and identify appropriatesafetyprocedures.
7.1Describeat riskbehaviors that maysignal apsychiatric emergency.
7.2Describethe proceduresnecessaryto maintain thesafetyofclients and staff.
7.3Describeand applysafetytechniques ingroup process.
Evaluation Criteria/Policies:
Students must demonstrate proficiency on all CCPOs at a minimal 75 percent level to successfully complete the course. The grade will be determined using the DTCC grading system:
92 – 100 / = / A83 – 91 / = / B
75 – 82 / = / C
0 – 74 / = / F
Students should refer to the Student Handbook ( for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.
Core Curriculum Competencies(CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop):
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.
ProgramGraduateCompetencies:(The competenciesevery graduatewilldevelopspecific to his/hermajor.)
1.Demonstrateknowledge related to theoccupational therapyassistant,includingpatient/clientinteractions,therapeutictreatments,activityanalysis,documentation, safety techniques, and therapeutic equipment.
2.Exhibiteffectivenonverbal,verbalandwrittencommunicationinpatient/clientand familyinterventionsandeducationand in professional relationships.
3.Performcompetentlyafullrangeofoccupationaltherapy skillswithpatients/clientsand various populations as occupational beings.
4.Exerciseindependent judgment andcritical thinkinginperformanceofoccupational therapy,accordingto theprofession’s standards ofpractice.
5.Demonstrate professionalpatternsofbehavior consistentwiththeprofession’scode ofethics.
Disabilities Support Statement
The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. You are encouraged to schedule an appointment with your campus Disabilities Support Counselor if you feel that you may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability. A listing of campus Disabilities Support Counselors and contact information can be found at go.dtcc.edu/DisabilityServices or visit the campus Advising Center.