Is It Coaching or Is It OT? Scope, Ethics, Pros, and Cons of the Coaching Model

Coaching approaches are increasingly being incorporated into occupational therapy practice across physical rehabilitation, mental health, chronic disease management, pediatrics, and community-based care. At the same time, many occupational therapy practitioners report uncertainty about how coaching models fit within occupational therapy scope of practice, how they differ from traditional intervention approaches, and what ethical or practical concerns may emerge when using them in clinical care. This session will examine the use of coaching models within occupational therapy practice through a balanced discussion of potential benefits, limitations, ethical considerations, and implementation challenges. Participants will explore how coaching approaches may support participation, carryover, self-management, and client engagement while also considering concerns related to role confusion, documentation, reimbursement, therapeutic boundaries, and professional competence. The session will provide practical frameworks for determining when coaching approaches may be appropriate within occupational therapy services and when other intervention models may be more clinically appropriate. Current evidence related to coaching in occupational therapy and health care will also be discussed.