Comparing narrative-informed occupational therapy in adult outpatient mental health to treatment as usual: A quasi-experimental feasibility study with preliminary treatment outcomes.

Abstract

This paper describes implementation of a narrative-informed occupation-based service in an outpatient community mental health setting that addressed several gaps, including 1) the need for outcome data on occupational therapy in this setting; 2) an ongoing mental health provider shortage; and 3) a need for innovative approaches to supporting mental health. We found a significant improvement from baseline to post-intervention in occupational participation, and dose of occupational therapy was significantly related to improvements in the areas of roles, habits, values, long-term goals, social environment, and readiness for change. This study suggests future, larger effectiveness studies of narrative-informed occupation-based interventions delivered by occupational therapists in outpatient community mental health are warranted.