As Occupational Therapists we have a varied array of "tools" in our tool kits, but one of my go to tools the coffee and a chat! I saw a client this week who I haven't seen for sometime (because he is doing so well and doesn't need regular input). One of our regular activities would be the coffee shop for a chunk of his rehabilitation time.
It started as a goal just to go out for a coffee, as he wasn't really getting out of the house. We would walk there together to the coffee shop, find him somewhere he felt safe to sit and I would order the coffee. Six months on I remember getting held up in the car park, walking in and there he is in the queue chatting to the barista with a smile on his face!
It is also a great place to get people to open up, relax and just talk. Conversation in clinics and meetings are often high pressure and make people anxious or clam up, and being at home can sometimes be a distraction or a reminder of the current difficulties. A coffee shop (if you pick the right one at the right time of day!) can be a calm, neutral and relaxing atmosphere and I often find people do great work in sessions!
It is obviously important to bear in mind confidentiality - this is not the right setting for all conversations. But if you have a quiet corner and the individual feels safe, you can still have some personal conversations.
How the individual can cope with things like loud noises (i.e. how close to the coffee machine are you going to have to sit and is it half term are two questions I ask myself!!)
Oh, and remember your loyalty card!! 😁
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