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Mental Health SIG: Occupation? Behavior? Habit? – The interaction of self-harm: Practical considerations for occupational therapists
Monday, April 06, 2020, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CDT
Category: SIGS

Mental Health SIG: Occupation? Behavior? Habit? – The interaction of self-harm: Practical considerations for occupational therapists

Agenda:

6:00 Welcome
6:15 Inservice Icebreaker - “Best Thing” and philosophical question on self-harm
6:30 Presentation and Discussion
7:00 Case Discussion
7:15 Closure

Event Location:
PRC  (Professional Rehab Consultants).  1394 Jackson St, St Paul, MN 55117

Course Description:
The social construction of occupation represents a contextualized view of what is acceptable and unacceptable (Kiepek et al., 2018). This presentation will examine the intersection of occupation, behavior and habit in the realm of self-harm. The author will present her own experiences working in forensics, along with an exploration of the literature on the nature of self-harm. Contextual aspects related to self-harm will explore the micro- individual factors, along with the macro, systems and cultural influences on that which is conceptualized as “deviance”.

Though actions such as self-harm are often labeled as deviant and maladaptive, a contextual view of such-actions reveals a multi-factorial picture of underlying reasons and purposes.  Self-harm may at times be adaptive (Edmondson et al., 2016) providing a personal sense of mastery, providing personal relief from stress and grief, or an outlet for social expression.  Further, actions of self-harm may take on an occupational nature, behavioral manifestation, or a habit all of which are not mutually exclusive.  Complexity and systems theories along with transactionalism acknowledge non-linearity and fluidity which this author asserts is important in considering the intersection of occupation, habit and behavior in self-harm.

This presentation will explore three cases of self-harm (cutting) in relation to occupation, behavior and habit and look at each case from a cultural and occupational lens.  The presentation will include discussions and practical applications for occupational therapists.

Speaker Bio:
Kristine Haertl, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, ACE  is a professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at St. Catherine University. She has been active in research related to peer-supported mental health housing models, the role of writing in the development of the self, the lived experience of autism spectrum disorder and the exploration of the nature and efficacy of services at a free-standing psychiatric occupational therapy clinic.

Haertl’s research has led to legislative changes regarding evidenced-based mental health practice in Minnesota and has helped secure funding for the development of Fairweather housing units in Pennsylvania. In addition to full-time faculty work, she has served as the chair of a large mental health board in Minnesota; is the President of Tasks Unlimited Training Center Board; serves on the national Society for the Study of Occupation board; is the co-founder and is the co-chair of Occupational Therapy for the Advancement of Minnesota Mental Health Services. In addition to full time faculty work, Haertl maintains a private practice consulting with systems and individuals with psychiatric disorders and developmental disabilities. Kristi has two books, over 50 publications and over 100 state, national and international presentations.

Learning Objectives:
  • Participants will discuss the contextualized factors that influence self-harm.
  • Participants will demonstrate and awareness of approaches that may be used to discern whether self-harm is an occupation, behavior or habit and how intersectionality may influence therapy.
  • Participants will identify means by which the knowledge from the inservice may be used in their own practice.

Target Audience: OT, OTA, Student
Educational Level:  Intermediate/ Advanced

AOTA approved course
Category 1 and 2; Domain of OT and Occupational Therapy Process

Continuing Education Credits: 1.5 CEUs

Fee: MOTA Members free, non-members $30



Contact: Megan Flood, [email protected], 651 278 9140; Jennifer LeClaire, [email protected]