Occupational Therapy in Columbus, OH

Last updated: April 17, 2026

82 NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapy providers serve Columbus, OH. Each listing includes the provider's name, location, specialties, listed credentials, and current new-patient status, with a link to the full profile and to verify the provider in the official NBCOT registry. Listings refreshed from the NPPES registry April 2026.

82 providers in Columbus — showing 50 per page (page 1 of 2)

How we vet: Every listing starts from the provider's federal CMS NPI record and is refreshed from the registry on a recurring schedule, with direct links to the certification or state-licensing body for its specialty so you can verify credentials at the source. We do not accept paid placement. Read our full verification methodology.

Occupational Therapy in Columbus, OH

Pediatric occupational therapy in Columbus helps children build the everyday skills of childhood: fine-motor control for writing and dressing, sensory processing, self-care, and self-regulation. Families often arrive here when handwriting stays messy or tiring, when a child is overwhelmed by noise or textures, or when buttons, zippers, and utensils are a daily struggle. FindKidTherapy lists NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapists across Franklin County, from solo practices in Dublin, Westerville, and Upper Arlington to clinics in Hilliard, Gahanna, and Grove City and the major hospital systems.

If your child is under three, the fastest no-cost path is often Ohio Help Me Grow, the state's birth-to-three early-intervention program. A Franklin County service coordinator can arrange a free developmental evaluation and, if your child qualifies, occupational therapy delivered in your home under an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). School-based OT through Columbus City Schools and surrounding districts supports educational goals for older children, and many families combine school-based and private, insurance-based OT.

A typical path is a short evaluation followed by weekly play-based sessions. To a child, an obstacle course, a textured sensory bin, or a target game feels like play; underneath, the therapist is building core strength, sensory tolerance, and the small hand muscles used for writing. The therapist sends home simple activities so progress carries into daily routines, and goals are built around your family's real life: the school day, mealtimes, and the morning dressing routine.

Occupational therapists in Ohio are licensed by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board and nationally certified through NBCOT, which is why you will see the credential OTR/L after their name. That credential signals the clinician has met education, exam, and licensing standards to practice in the state. Below are the occupational therapy providers currently active in Columbus.

What to expect

The first visit is an evaluation, not treatment. Expect a low-pressure session: a conversation about your concerns and your child's history, then standardized tools and hands-on play to assess fine-motor, sensory, and self-care skills. You know your child best, so your input matters as much as the testing. The therapist then explains what they saw, whether OT is recommended, and what goals would fit. Bring any pediatrician notes or prior IEP paperwork.

Insurance

Ohio Medicaid covers medically necessary occupational therapy for children under 21 under the EPSDT benefit. Franklin County Medicaid managed-care plans commonly include CareSource, Buckeye Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, and AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio. Commercial plans (Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna) typically reimburse with a physician referral or prescription and may require prior authorization after the evaluation. Confirm your specific plan before the first visit.

Start sooner if under 3

Ohio Help Me Grow (Part C early intervention) is the statewide birth-to-three system; central intake is 1-800-755-GROW (4769), and Franklin County families are served by a local service coordinator. The developmental evaluation is free, services are often delivered in your home, and the IFSP is held within 45 days of referral. You can self-refer; no pediatrician referral is required.

OT vs PT for kids

Occupational therapy focuses on fine-motor and functional daily skills, sensory processing, and self-care; physical therapy focuses on gross-motor skills like walking, balance, strength, and coordination. Some Columbus children see both, and the two often work together. If you are unsure which your child needs, an OT or PT evaluation can point you in the right direction.

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Columbus, OH

At what age can my child start occupational therapy in Columbus?

Children can benefit at almost any age, including infants and toddlers. For little ones under three, Ohio Help Me Grow is often the starting point. For older children, clinic-based or school-based OT may be the better path. An evaluation helps determine the right fit, and there is no age that is too early to ask questions.

Do I need a doctor's referral for pediatric OT in Columbus?

It depends on your insurance plan and the clinic. Some require a physician referral or prior authorization, and others accept self-referrals for an evaluation. For Ohio Help Me Grow, families can refer their own child directly. Calling the clinic or your plan ahead is the fastest way to confirm what you need.

Does Ohio Medicaid cover pediatric occupational therapy in Columbus?

Yes. Ohio Medicaid covers medically necessary occupational therapy for children under 21 through the EPSDT benefit. Common Franklin County managed-care plans include CareSource, Buckeye Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, and AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio. Prior authorization is usually required after the initial evaluation.

Is occupational therapy the same as physical therapy?

No. Physical therapy generally focuses on large-muscle movement, walking, balance, and gross-motor skills, often delivered by a licensed PT. Occupational therapy focuses on fine-motor, sensory, self-care, and daily-living skills. Some children benefit from both, and the two often work together.

How long will my child need occupational therapy?

There is no set timeline, and no honest provider can promise a specific outcome by a specific date. Progress depends on your child's goals, needs, and consistency. Your therapist sets individualized goals and reviews them with you regularly, so therapy is about progress and participation rather than a promised result.

Can my child get OT at school and at a private clinic?

Yes. Many Columbus families use both. School-based OT through Columbus City Schools or your local district supports your child's access to learning, while private, insurance-based OT addresses broader developmental and daily-living goals. The two are evaluated separately and can work in parallel toward the same skills.

Other Therapy Types in Columbus

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

50 OT Therapists in Columbus

Aaron Albrecht, MOT, OTR/L, PTA

Columbus, OH

Occupational Therapy in Columbus, OH

Occupational Therapy in Columbus, OH

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Columbus, OH

Other Therapy Types in Columbus

50 OT Therapists in Columbus

Aaron Albrecht, MOT, OTR/L, PTA

Alainna Augustine, OTR/L

Alexandra Conway, OTR/L

Alyssa Charles, OTR/L

Amber Deweese, OTR/L, CHT

Amie Beros, MOT, OTR/L

Andrea Cywinski, OTR/L

Angela Decker, BS

Anne Barnes

Bethany Bates, OTR/L

Bonita Chavis, OT

Britney Cody, OTR/L

Brooke Brehm

Caitlin Brown, OTD, OTR/L

Caroline Dukart, OTR/L

Carrie Bickham, OTR

Deeanna Conley, OTR

Denise Clark, OTR/L

Elise Dew, OTR/L

Elizabeth Baldwin, OTR/L

Elizabeth Dion, OTD, OTR/L

Emily Boone

Emily Dickerson, OTR/L, MOT

Erin Ball, OTR/L OTD

Gabriella Couch

Gwendolyn Boyce, MA

Houman Babai

Jackie Batts, OTR

Jaime Berecek, OTR/L

Jamie Coburn Van Horn, OT

Janet Bailey, OTR/L, CHT

Jennifer Campbell, OTR/L

Jessica Bennett, M.Ed

Jessica Buening, OTR/L

Jonathan Chennault, MOT

Joshua Catlett

Joshua Cywinski

Judy Domsic, OTRL

Julie Ballinger-James, MOTR/L

Julie Crissinger, OTR

Kaitlyn Bonnette

Kari Amos

Katherine Anneken

Kathy Consoliver, OTR

Katrina Dyce, OTR

Kelli Biehle, OTR L, CHT

Kelly Bell, PT

Kimberly Couch, OTRL CHT

Kiran Chitkara, MOTR/L

Laurie Dynes, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Occupational Therapy for Children in Columbus, OH

What is Occupational Therapy?

Finding the Right OT Therapist in Columbus

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy