Navigating Client Requests in Occupational Therapy: Finding the Balance Between Support and Professional Boundaries
EMPATHY MEETS MASTERY SERIES
Imagine you’re finishing up a session, and your client asks you to write a support letter for equipment they believe will help their child. You might be rushing to finish your session notes and unsure how to respond.
This scenario is common and raises an important question: How do we, as occupational therapists, balance supporting our clients with maintaining professional boundaries?
Pause and Reflect
First, pause and acknowledge the request. Resist the urge to immediately say yes or no. Consider the request, its clinical implications, and your ethical responsibilities. A hasty response can harm your relationship with the client.
Tip: Respond with something like, “Thanks for bringing this to me. Let’s explore it further to see if we can make it work for your child.”
Seek Clarification
It’s crucial to fully understand the request. Sometimes, what seems outside OT practice can align with your scope if you ask the right questions. Understanding your client’s underlying concerns helps you assess whether there’s a valid clinical need or if another approach might be better.
Tip: Ask open-ended questions like, “Can you share why you feel this would help your child?” or “What are you hoping to achieve with this equipment?”
Collaborate and Educate
Once you have all the information, educate your client on the role of occupational therapy and the importance of clinically justifying recommendations. This helps manage professional boundaries and client expectations.
If the request is within your scope and appropriate, proceed with supporting your client. If it’s appropriate but outside your scope, consider referring to other professionals. If you find you can’t clinically justify the request, it’s important to communicate your reasoning clearly to the client.
Seek Support and Supervision
These situations can be challenging. Seeking supervision or mentoring can provide the guidance and confidence needed to handle such requests effectively.
If you often face these grey areas, connecting with a mentor for insights might be helpful. As an occupational therapy supervisor and mentor, I tailor sessions to individual needs, helping therapists build clinical skills, confidence, and professional resilience.
If you need extra support navigating complex situations, I’d love to work with you. Let’s connect to explore how mentoring or supervision can help you grow as a confident therapist.