Group programs offers a range of purposeful activities and educational approaches that offer peer and social aid. The mission of occupational therapy is to help individuals develop adaptive behaviors and function independently in their daily lives. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers pay for occupational therapy services, depending upon the specifics of the case and the individual insurance policy. Occupational therapists hold bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees, and occupational therapy assistants earn associate degrees. Occupational therapy practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and are required to pass a national certification examination.
Most states also regulate the practice of occupational therapy.
Occupational therapy education includes a broad range of course work that emphasized the social, emotional, and physiological implications of illness and injury. Analysis of activity components and their therapeutic applications, and the assessment of psychosocial, self-care, work, and leisure skills are essential components of occupational therapy education.