This phenomenological study adds understanding of the occupational therapy process when a client differs racially or ethnically from their occupational therapist. Occupational therapy enhances the well-being of people despite impoverished environments and/or impairments. Treatment goals embraced by occupational therapists commonly reflect western cultural values including individualism, independence, and productivity. Oral descriptions of receiving occupational therapy told by five past clients of occupational therapy were transcribed into written text and analyzed into themes using phenomenological methods. Participants described their experience of receiving occupational therapy using the research question, what is the experience receiving occupational therapy when you are racially or ethnically dissimilar from your therapist?

Six major themes were found core to the phenomenon of being racially or ethnically different from the occupational therapist during therapy: coming to therapy, worry and concern, being greeted, understand my culture, see me like anybody else, and put yourself in my shoes. Recipients of occupational therapy are first patients, with all the worry and concern that patients experience when occupational therapy is indicated. Being greeted is the welcoming invitation to therapy. Understand my culture speaks to the central role that is played by culture in the everyday lives of the participants. Put yourself in my shoes describes the empathic relationship developed between the patient and therapist over the course of treatment.

This study supported theories of multiple cultures interacting together within each clinical encounter. Culture, as a part of each client, interacts with culture of the health care provider and culture of the health care facility to create a health encounter. Recipients of occupational therapy notice the environment, the level of respect directed toward other clients, and the therapists' awareness of health beliefs. Findings may be used to increase the conscious awareness of the occupational therapists of those actions perceived by clients as culturally competent.