30/06/2025
Mutual competence in practice. Great article by Jacqui Barefoot in the association magazine.
"At its heart, mutual competence is the belief that both therapist and client bring essential forms of knowledge to the therapeutic relationship,
and that therapy is most effective when these forms of knowledge are treated with equal value."
From my experience:
Co-creation is so powerful.
In occupational therapy we are looking to create change in the whole person.
This means that while performance is the external observable outcome (desired goal),
we also want to create meaningfulness in life.
This can only happen when reflection and collaboration is prioritized over a directive or teaching approach.
As Jacquie says "Both therapist and client expertise are held lightly as part of the dialogue".
In this mode a person's insights, uncertainties are vital and when treated this way allow the deep change that occurs from vulnerability.
When working with whether for chronic pain, fatigue or women's health, it is a joy to watch this co-creation unfold.
