An occupational therapist is working with a 21-year-old client who has suffered a mild traumatic brain injury as a result of a car accident when he was 6. The client is now exhibiting signs of de-pression and social anxiety

Question

The OT practitioner has identified therapeutic use of self as the most appropriate intervention method at this time. The OT practitioner should do which of the following?
A. Use active listening when the client talks about himself and his injury.
B. Arrange for the client to go to a baseball game, where he can relax and enjoy his favorite team.
C. Simulate meeting new people in the OT clinic so the client feels more at ease in social situations.
D. Provide the client with a list of resources for treatment of depression and social anxiety disorder.

Answer 1

ANS: A
The most important part of this question is the phrase "therapeutic use of self." The only answer that fits this category is (A), using active listening, because it exhibits the OT practitioner's em-pathy and will foster an atmosphere of trust between the client and the therapist. Once trust has been established, the OT practitioner may want to provide the client with resources for treating his depression and social anxiety disorder (D). However, because this is an educational interven-tion, it is not the correct answer. Similarly, (B) and (C) are incorrect insofar as they are an occu-pation-based activity and a purposeful
activity, respectively.