From the Roots of Psychosocial Practice-Therapeutic Use of Self in the Classroom: Practical Applications for Occupational Therapy Faculty

The roots of occupational therapy stem from psychosocial practice and embrace concepts of humanism, client-centered practice and therapeutic use of self. These concepts are integral to both clinical and academic settings. As the profession has moved toward graduate level education, increased numbers of non-traditional students are entering the field. Models of teaching that incorporate principles of active learning and therapeutic use of self within the classroom provide a consumer-learner-based model of education that is uniquely suited to students of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and educational needs. This article presents a brief overview of andragogical principles and the development of the student-faculty relationship. Mosey's concepts of conscious use of self are introduced as a means by which positive faculty-student relationships can be formed in order to enhance student learning and educational outcomes.