arts-based occupational therapy
Use creative occupations safely, thoughtfully and purposefully within psychosocial OT practice
Creative occupations can offer different ways to support participation, communication, identity, reflection and connection.
But using art in occupational therapy involves more than placing materials on a table or choosing an activity that appears to match a client’s needs.
It requires clear occupational reasoning, informed consent, thoughtful facilitation and an understanding of the boundaries between arts-based occupational therapy and creative arts therapy.
A practical 77-page professional learning course for occupational therapists who want to integrate creative occupations into psychosocial practice safely, purposefully and within OT scope.
This course moves beyond simply collecting creative activity ideas. It helps you understand when an arts-based approach may be appropriate, how to connect it with a meaningful occupational goal and how to evaluate whether it supports participation beyond the session.
What you'll learn:
The course explores:
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the role of creativity and meaningful occupation within OT;
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the difference between arts-based OT and creative arts therapy;
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current evidence and its limitations;
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MOHO-informed clinical reasoning and occupational formulation;
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selecting activities according to client goals, interests and access needs;
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ongoing consent, trauma-aware facilitation and client authorship;
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sensory, physical, communication and cultural accessibility;
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material safety, artwork ownership and privacy;
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documenting creative participation without interpreting artwork;
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planning outcomes, occupational transfer and sustainability;
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when to seek supervision, collaborate or refer.
OT intervention guides:
The workbook includes 17 adaptable intervention activities that you can begin using as starting points in your practice immediately.
Activities explore areas such as:
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starting and finishing meaningful tasks;
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strengths and environmental supports;
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occupational identity and life transitions;
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sensory preferences and environmental access;
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regulation, recovery and transitions;
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communication and self-advocacy;
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relationships, boundaries and collaboration;
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restorative occupations and values-based participation.
Each pull-out activity includes:
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possible creative modalities;
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a clearly defined occupational purpose;
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facilitation options;
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choice, access and safety considerations;
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a practical evaluation question;
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a non-art or lower-demand alternative.
The activities are flexible examples rather than fixed protocols. They can be adapted through individual assessment, occupational formulation, client preference and informed consent.
Practical tools for clinical application:
Alongside the intervention library, you’ll receive:
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clinical reasoning questions;
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intervention-planning worksheets;
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occupational formulation and goal-writing examples;
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immediate and occupational outcome measures;
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a worked case example;
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guidance for individual, group and telehealth practice;
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reflective learning activities;
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a facilitation checklist;
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a post-course assessment and answer guide.
A little about me. I have facilitated online therapeutic workshops for eight years now, whilst practicing as a Mental Health OT. For years I've been able to experience both personally and professionally the impact that art can have on mental health and wellbeing.
The formal qualifications and experience that I bring to these trainings are:
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Bachelor in Occupational Therapy
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Post Graduate Diploma in Art Psychotherapy
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Eight years of experience as a Mental Health Occupational Therapist and therapeutic art workshop facilitator
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Eight years as the founder and director of Our Mindful Youth
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Five years of experience as a clinical OT supervisor
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Accreditation in the Better Access to Mental Health scheme and Mental Health First Aid
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for occupational therapists interested in integrating creative occupations into psychosocial and mental health practice.
Do I need artistic experience?
No. The focus is not artistic skill or producing a particular result. The course focuses on clinical reasoning, client choice, accessibility and meaningful occupational participation.
What does the course include?
You’ll receive a 77-page digital course workbook with theory, clinical examples, reflective activities, planning tools, a worked case study, a post-course assessment and answer guide.
What are the 17 pull-out intervention activities?
The workbook includes 17 adaptable arts-based activities that can be pulled out and used as practical starting points. Each includes an occupational purpose, facilitation guidance, access considerations, cautions, evaluation questions and a non-art or lower-demand alternative.
Can I use the activities immediately?
Yes. The activities are designed to help you begin applying the learning to practice. They are flexible examples rather than fixed protocols and must be adapted through assessment, occupational formulation, informed consent, client preference and workplace requirements.
Does this course qualify me as an art therapist?
No. Art therapy and creative arts therapy are distinct professional disciplines requiring relevant modality-specific qualifications. This course supports occupational therapists to use creative occupations within OT scope.
Can I use the workbook with clients?
You may apply and adapt the ideas within your own practice and competence. Refer to the workbook’s participant-use terms for information about printing, reproducing or sharing individual pages.
Is the course evidence-informed?
Yes. The workbook draws on occupational therapy, creative arts therapy and arts-and-health literature. It also discusses the limitations of the evidence and avoids suggesting that a particular creative activity will produce a universal outcome.
Does the course address safety and ethics?
Yes. It covers ongoing consent, trauma-aware facilitation, accessibility, cultural responsiveness, material safety, artwork ownership, privacy, documentation, professional boundaries and referral.
Are non-art alternatives included?
Yes. Every intervention includes a non-art or lower-demand alternative. Creative participation should always remain a meaningful choice rather than a requirement.
Can I count this toward professional development?
The course can support reflective professional learning. You are responsible for determining whether and how it meets the professional-development requirements relevant to your registration, workplace or professional body.
How will I access the course?
You’ll receive digital access to the course workbook, allowing you to work through it at your own pace and return to the intervention and planning resources when needed.
