This naïve perception of others on the role of occupational therapy within the Mental Health scope of practice is what serves as a challenge to Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Randy Conroy, but also a compensating experience, as the measureable results in his group therapy sessions display just how effective Occupational Therapy (OT) in mental health can be. Randy is licensed in both RI and MA, a member of the AOTA, and alumni of Holy Cross with a bachelor in English. In 2002, he began teaching for several years before working at Amego Inc. with autistic children. There, after experiencing a vast scale of behavioral issues, pursued a master’s degree in OT. He is currently using his knowledge and drive to complete a bridge OTA-OTR program. …show more content…
His teaching experience has enhanced his ability to exemplify a fundamental concept of OT, therapeutic use of self. At Butler Hospital, where he is currently employed, he explained how his previous experiences have influenced his success. Teaching coping skills and following precise protocols is very similar to implementing lesson plans in the classroom. The lack of compassion and natural ability of many healthcare professionals to talk to people at their level was a common frustration shared during our conversation. We further discussed how imperative it is to develop a positive relationship by displaying empathy and effectively asking open ended questions to develop rapport, which to us was illustrated by motivating youth towards physical fitness and assisting a depressed adult to rediscover leisure activities, in our fields …show more content…
With the job of the OT not being as defined as in other settings, Randy’s personal conflict lies in the gray area that unclearly describes the role of the OT and OTA. The psychiatrist primarily accomplishes evaluation and assessment in the mental health setting; however, an OTA in this case would carry a greater report and workload with the patients, leaving the OT with little to do. Furthermore, the stigma associated with Butler being a “mental institute for crazy people” is still prevalent and prevents people from acknowledging the hospital’s amenities and seek services. For those who do receive services, insurance companies provide limited daily funds that last for about 6 days of program