Book excerpt: Competence in any profession depends upon an understanding of the theory that underlies it. This concise and practical text for students and practitioners bridges the gap between occupational therapy theory and clinical practice, offering highly practical advice on using theory in practice in a wide range of settings. It considers the nature of professional practice and the need for a sound theoretical basis from which to plan, implement and justify interventions, and investigates the practical use of occupational therapy theory and the issues such use raises in health and social care settings from a European perspective. Every occupational therapy student worldwide needs to know about the underlying theory of their profession and its application to practice. The book particularly debates the nature of the theory of occupational therapy via the introduction of the concept of models of the profession as an umbrella for practice, all of which is brought to life via case studies incorporating expert advice, reflection exercises and assessment and evaluation forms.