Practical reasoning used to fit therapy possibilities into the current realities of service delivery, such as scheduling options, payment for services, equipment availability, therapists' skills, management directives, and the personal situation of the therapist. (Generally not focused on client or client's condition, but rather on all the physical and social "stuff" that surrounds the therapy encounter as well as the therapist's internal sense of what he or she is capable of and has the time and energy to complete.)
Reasoning process used to make sense of people's particular circumstances, prospectively imagine the effects of illness, disability or occupational performance problems on their daily lives, and create a collaborative story that is enacted with clients and family through intervention. (Personal, focused on the client, including past, present, and anticipated future; involves an appreciation of client culture as the basis for understanding client narrative and relates to the "so what" of the condition for the person's life.)
Reasoning involving the use of applied logical and scientific methods, such as hypothesis testing, pattern recognition, theory-based decision making and statistical evidence. (Impersonal, focused on the diagnosis, condition, guiding theory, or what "typically" happens with clients like the one being considered.)
Thinking directed toward building positive interpersonal relationships with clients, permitting collaborative problem identification and problem solving. (Therapist concerned with what client likes or doesn't like; use of praise, empathetic comments and nonverbal behaviors to encourage and support client's cooperation.)
Investigative reasoning and analysis of cause or nature of conditions requiring OT intervention; can be considered one component of scientific reasoning. (Uses both personal and impersonal info; therapists attempt to explain why client is experiencing problems using a blend of science-based and client-based info)
Reasoning directed to analyzing an ethical dilemma, generating alternative solutions, and determining actions to be taken; systematic approach to moral conflict. (Tension often evident as therapist attempts to determine what is the "right" thing to do, particularly when faced with dilemmas in therapy, competing principles, and risks and benefits.)