FAQs Definitions &TheorIES

What is the functionalist?

The Functionalist is a health and wellness practice dedicated to empowering individuals through personalized, evidence-based wellness solutions. We focus on functional health, which involves optimizing bodily functions and overall well-being through tailored interventions.

"The Functionalist" reflects our commitment to creating a simple, transparent, functional approach to health and wellness. Rooted in occupational therapy, health behavior, functional health, and nutrition principles, our practice emphasizes efficient and effective methods to help you achieve optimal health and well-being.

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a holistic and client-centered health profession that focuses on promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable individuals to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists focus on "function" and achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or modify the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement.

  • Holistic Approach: We consider all aspects of your life, including physical, emotional, and environmental factors, to provide comprehensive care.

    Functional Assessments: We evaluate your daily activities, routines, and environments to identify opportunities for improvement and energy conservation.

    Customized Interventions: We offer personalized interventions such as functional lab testing, lifestyle coaching, and nutritional guidance to enhance your overall health and well-being.

Graphic LINK. Suggested citation:  Bazyk, S. (2022). Occupational Therapy: Promoting Participation in Occupation. www.everymomentcounts.org

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  • Functional health is about more than just the absence of disease; it’s about optimizing how well our body systems work together to perform daily activities and maintain overall well-being. By focusing on the root causes of health issues, we aim to improve your body’s natural functions and enhance your quality of life. This approach includes evaluating metabolic processes, understanding genetic predispositions, and making informed lifestyle changes that support long-term health.

  • Holistic nutrition takes into account the whole person and their lifestyle, emphasizing the connection between diet, physical health, and emotional well-being. Our approach to holistic nutrition involves personalized dietary plans that consider your unique needs, preferences, and health goals. We believe that nutrition is a key component of overall health, and we provide guidance on choosing nutrient-dense foods, understanding how different foods affect your body, and creating sustainable eating habits that support your wellness journey.

  • At The Functionalist, we pride ourselves on utilizing up-to-date research and theories to build our programs, educate our clients, and continuously grow. Our approach is grounded in the following evidence-based models and theories.

Our approach is grounded in the following evidence-based models and theories

Health Behavior Change Theories

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Health Behavior Change Theories 〰️

  • This model describes the stages individuals go through when changing a behavior. It includes stages such as precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. By understanding where clients are in this cycle, we tailor our interventions to support them at each stage, fostering sustainable change.

  • Health behavior theories help us understand the determinants of health behaviors and the processes through which behavior change occurs. We apply these theories to design effective interventions that promote healthy behaviors and support long-term health goals.

  • This theory explains how individuals' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control over behavior influence their intentions and actions. It helps us design interventions that target these determinants to facilitate behavior change.

  • These models emphasize the multiple levels of influence on health behaviors, including individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels. We use these models to create comprehensive interventions that address various factors affecting health behaviors.

  • Inspired by the teachings of Dr. Casey Means, The Good Energy Theory emphasizes the importance of optimizing energy levels through lifestyle changes. This theory underlines the significance of factors such as diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management in maintaining high energy levels and overall health. We incorporate these principles to help our clients achieve and sustain good energy and well-being.

Occupational Therapy Models & Theories

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Occupational Therapy Models & Theories 〰️

  • by Matuska, K. (2012): This model emphasizes the importance of balancing various life activities to enhance health and well-being. It provides a framework for evaluating and improving life balance, which is crucial for overall health.

  • by Kielhofner, G., & Burke, J. P. (1980): MOHO is a comprehensive model that considers the interaction between individuals, their occupations, and the environment. It helps us understand and address the complex factors influencing occupational performance.

  • by Bonikowsky, S., Musto, A., Suteu, K. A., MacKenzie, S., Dennis, D. (2012): This model analyzes the concept of independence in occupational therapy, exploring the various dimensions of independence and how they can be supported and enhanced through therapeutic interventions.

By integrating these theories into our practice, we ensure that our programs are scientifically grounded and effective. This commitment to evidence-based practice allows us to provide the highest level of care and support to our clients.