Enhancing student empathy, engagement, and support: Balint and Level II fieldwork

Level II fieldwork is crucial in occupational therapy education, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge practically and develop key competencies in client care, assessment, and intervention with supervision (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2018). Although pivotal for professional growth, the demands of Level II fieldwork can also present significant challenges, including high levels of stress and anxiety among students, which may impede their learning and development (Brown et al., 2018).