Research aim: The aim was to explore the experience of practising occupational therapists in transferring their learning from the Mindful Therapeutic Relationship (MTR) workshop into their own clinical practice. The workshop was developed based on the Intentional Relationship Model (Taylor 2008) and focuses on therapists being aware and mindful of the therapeutic relationship processes that occur during and after intervention.

Research design: Thirteen occupational therapists participated in the workshop and subsequently completed between one and four reflection notes. These notes were subjected to a qualitative thematic analysis.

Research method: Participants of the workshop were asked to write a weekly reflection for a period of four–six weeks to submit to the researcher. Thematic analysis strategies (Guest et al 2012) were used.

Results: The findings were organised into three themes: therapeutic relationship reasoning, barriers to implementing the current learning and facilitators of transferring theory into practice.

Conclusions: The therapists value learning and practising strategies that can support therapeutic relationships. Reflection skills seem essential for establishing and developing therapeutic relationships; such skills may need to be facilitated by the work environment.