Coaching in Occupational Therapy: Already Here, Not Yet Defined 

Coaching is increasingly part of how occupational therapy practitioners describe their work, even if it is not always labeled that way. Supporting follow-through, helping clients apply strategies in daily life, and working collaboratively toward meaningful goals are all familiar aspects of practice. 

At the same time, coaching in occupational therapy is not consistently defined. The issue is not whether coaching fits within the profession, but how clearly it is understood and applied in practice. 

Coaching in Occupational Therapy Practice 

Coaching has been discussed as an enabling skill within occupational therapy and is now used across a range of populations and settings. Research shows that coaching interventions are associated with improvements in occupational performance, participation, and self-efficacy (Graham et al., 2024). 

However, the same body of literature points to a lack of consistency in how coaching is described and implemented (Graham et al., 2024). 

This creates variation in practice and makes it difficult to determine what constitutes effective coaching within occupational therapy. 

Evidence for Coaching as a Health Intervention 

The broader field of health and wellness coaching provides a more established evidence base. A recent compendium includes over 480 articles, with more than 140 randomized controlled trials demonstrating improvements in behavior change, self-efficacy, quality of life, and chronic condition management (Abu Dabrh et al., 2025). 

This positions coaching as an evidence-informed intervention rather than a general communication approach. For occupational therapy practitioners, this supports the use of coaching when it is applied with sufficient structure and clarity. 

Why Coaching Feels Inconsistent in Practice 

Most occupational therapy practitioners are already working to support behavior change. The challenge is not awareness of its importance, but the conditions in which practice occurs. 

Time constraints, productivity expectations, and documentation demands often shape how interventions are delivered. In this context, coaching may be used inconsistently or reduced to general encouragement rather than a structured process. 

This is where a gap emerges, not between occupational therapy and coaching, but between informal use and developed competence. 

Coaching as an Occupational Therapy Intervention 

When coaching is clearly defined and applied with intention, it aligns closely with occupational therapy. It supports client-directed goals, problem-solving within real-life contexts, and sustained change outside of sessions. 

These are central outcomes in occupational therapy. However, achieving them through coaching requires more than general alignment. It requires shared definitions, consistent methods, and the development of specific skills. 

Developing Coaching Skills as an OT Practitioner 

For occupational therapy practitioners, developing coaching is less about adding new content and more about refining how change is supported in practice. 

This includes facilitating client-led goal setting, supporting decision-making without directing, building accountability over time, and maintaining a collaborative stance when appropriate. These are skills that benefit from structured practice and feedback. 

A Structured Approach to Coaching Training for OTs 

The Just for OT: Practitioner to Coach Program was designed to support this type of skill development. The focus is on coaching as an occupational therapy intervention, with attention to scope, application, and consistency. 

The program includes 77 AOTA-approved continuing education hours and is an NBHWC Approved Training Program. Graduates are eligible to apply for the National Board Certification examination in health and wellness coaching (National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching [NBHWC], 2025). 

The structure emphasizes live practice, feedback, and competency-based assessment rather than concept-only learning. 

Program Availability 

The Just for OT: Practitioner to Coach Program is offered in cohorts throughout the year. 

Each cohort is designed to support occupational therapy practitioners in developing coaching as a defined and applicable intervention, with an emphasis on practice, feedback, and competency. 

Current and upcoming start dates are available here: 

https://www.aspireoted.com/coach