"And a door opens": reflections on conceptual and identity issues on clinical reasoning in occupational therapy

Introduction: Placing practice in words is an arduous task for occupational therapists by considering the narrative aspects of practice in the complex and multifaceted relationships between human beings and society. Language favors the naming and conceptualization of what is done and opens up space of understanding and deepening of knowledge. Objective: To discuss the need to conceptualize terms to better delineate professional practice. Method: A participatory action research, organized as a community of practice for the development of clinical reasoning, with the participation of novice and experienced occupational therapists. had its data analyzed thematically, highlighting the construction of meanings about care in occupational therapy in mental health (practical. theoretical and conceptual specificities), in the light of the Dynamic Occupational Therapy Method. Results: The reflection on the shared practice favored the identification of dilemmas around the therapeutic activity and, as it gained conceptual clarity, favored the valuation of the context and the actions in occupational therapy. Conclusion: When practice is placed as an object of study, identifying statements capable of representing it, our professional field of knowledge and practice gain clarity and provide visibility to practice and epistemic communities more critical, situated, coherent, meaningfill and complex.