Embracing Creativity in Occupational Therapy

• Main Author: Lydia Royeen, MOT, OTR/L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Western Michigan University 2015-01-01
• Series: Open Journal of Occupational Therapy
• Subjects: Occupational Therapy; Kawa River model; Occupation; Creativity; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Online Access: http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1169&context=ojot

Jen Gash, an occupational therapist and creativity coach living in the UK, provided the cover art for the winter 2015 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. The picture is titled “Over the Exe.” Jen uses her inspiration of the Kawa River model in this painting. The painting is of her husband and daughter standing where the river meets the sea. This is a metaphoric representation of rejoining the greater collective. In addition, Jen has a passion for occupational therapists to encompass creativity. A core aspect of occupational therapy is the multi-dimensional concept of occupations; it allows for occupational therapists to incorporate creativity into daily practice. Jen’s goal is for occupational therapy to embrace its creative theoretical roots.