Occupational Therapy Evidence in Practice for Mental Health

Meredith, PJ ORCiD: 0000-0002-2981-9189Based on the title of this book alone, readers might expect a presentation of empirical evidence confirming the value of occupational therapy in mental health. However, on the contrary, the clinical areas considered in this book appear to have been selected on the basis of the paucity of an occupational therapy evidence base, and even the absence of a clear occupational therapy role. The argument is that, where there is no established occupational therapy literature to support “evidence‐based practice” in a clinical area, it is valuable to consider the range of theory, research evidence, and policy guidelines that might be relevant to practice in this area. The editors make the case that, even in the absence of convincing empirical evidence, occupational therapy can make a valuable clinical contribution based on sound theory and clinical reasoning