Meaning and misunderstanding in occupational forms: A study of therapeutic goal setting

Objective. This study examined occupational therapists' use of the occupational form of goal setting as therapy and its impact on clients. Method. The study method was qualitative, using participant observation and interviewing as the main source of data. Results. The findings illustrated that therapists works both to give substance to the occupational form and to create the context of an implied narrative that imbues it with Particular meanings. Simultaneously clients' experience of meaning is influenced by a personal volitional narrative. When the two narratives no not coincide, therapists' efforts to maintain the occupational form intensity as they encourage clients toward attitudes and performances that do nor resonate with the clients' experience of reality. Conclusion. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing that occupational forms are embedded in social processes and perspectives that inevitably come into play when occupational forms are used as therapy.