Addressing client spirituality in occupational therapy practice: A qualitative study.
Heather So, Lynette Mackenzie, Chris Chapparo and 2 others
PMID 40495363WHAT IT FOUND
Australian occupational therapists described asking about client spirituality as an informal, intuitive process driven by rapport and cues rather than structured protocols.
They responded by listening, referring, or integrating spiritual practices into daily occupations, often navigating uncertainty about professional boundaries.
Key findings
01All participants reported asking about spirituality, but most did so informally by responding to cues or embedding questions in standard assessments like leisure or goals.
02Clients raised a wide range of spiritual topics, including distress, identity, and strength, with most therapists responding through active listening or occupation-based interventions.
03Therapists frequently referred to external providers like chaplains or social workers, often due to discomfort or lack of workplace spiritual experts.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (23 participants) and recruited via social media and email networks, which may introduce selection bias towards therapists already interested in spirituality. The study did not include therapists from Tasmania, the Northern Territory, South Australia, or the Australian Capital Territory. Participants' self-reported religious affiliations did not include Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism, limiting the diversity of worldviews represented. The design focused on individual experiences and did not measure client outcomes or the effectiveness of specific responses.
Declared interests
The authors declared no relevant financial or non-financial interests or conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific spiritual interventions improve client outcomes. The study describes what therapists did and felt, not whether these actions helped patients.