Connection and collaboration: Reflections on power, safety, and risk

Occupational therapy in Australia is experiencing growth and demand in ways that have not been seen before in this country. There are over 32,000 registered occupational therapists and more than 7000 students studying occupational therapy at one of 50 accredited programs in 26 different universities. Indeed, I contend that occupational therapy is more valued and in demand than at any other time in its history. There is the opportunity for the profession to capitalise on the current value and demand, yet many occupational therapists are reporting distress and burnout and a sense of disconnection. Drawing on my program of research in this lecture, I will begin by looking back at my education and the changes in occupational therapy knowledge and practice over my career before exploring the opportunities to demonstrate the value of transformation through occupation. I acknowledge that occupational engagement is unique to each individual, group or community and that it is complex and 'messy' and raises tensions that occupational therapists hold with notions of expertise, power, safety and genuine engagement and partnership with clients. Connecting and collaborating with clients and stakeholders enables occupational engagement and participation but also involves risk. I argue for the use of reflexivity to move beyond reflective practice and to examine our own assumptions and influence on the partnership. Foregrounding occupation and trusting in the process while respecting the expertise of a person's lived experience positions occupational therapy well for the future.