Occupational Therapy in Houston, TX

Last updated: April 17, 2026

117 NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapy providers serve Houston, TX. 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.

117 providers in Houston — showing 50 per page (page 1 of 3)

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 Houston, TX

Pediatric occupational therapy in Houston 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 Harris County and the Houston metro, from solo practices near the Texas Medical Center and the inner loop to clinics in Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, The Woodlands, Cypress, and Spring.

If your child is under three, the fastest no-cost path is often Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), the state's birth-to-three program under Texas Health and Human Services. ECI serves Harris County families on a sliding scale, so cost is based on your circumstances rather than a flat fee, and you can request a referral yourself. School-based OT through Houston ISD and surrounding districts supports educational goals for children three and older, 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 Texas are licensed by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners 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 Houston.

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

Texas Medicaid covers medically necessary occupational therapy for children under 21 through the EPSDT benefit (Texas Health Steps). Houston-area Medicaid STAR managed-care plans commonly include Amerigroup, Molina Healthcare, Superior HealthPlan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Commercial plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, 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

Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is the statewide birth-to-three system under Texas Health and Human Services; you can reach it through 2-1-1 Texas (dial 2-1-1) or your local Harris County ECI program. Services use a sliding scale based on family circumstances, are often delivered in your home or childcare setting, and you can self-refer without waiting for a doctor to initiate it.

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 Houston 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 Houston, TX

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

Children can benefit at almost any age, including infants and toddlers. For little ones under three, Texas ECI 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 Houston?

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 Texas ECI, families can request a referral directly. Calling the clinic or your plan ahead is the fastest way to confirm what you need.

Does Texas Medicaid cover pediatric occupational therapy in Houston?

Yes. Texas Medicaid covers medically necessary occupational therapy for children under 21 through the EPSDT benefit, delivered under Texas Health Steps. Common Houston-area STAR managed-care plans include Amerigroup, Molina Healthcare, Superior HealthPlan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. 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 Houston families use both. School-based OT through Houston ISD 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 Houston

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

50 OT Therapists in Houston

Aaron Araguz, OTR/L

Houston, TX

Occupational Therapy in Houston, TX

Occupational Therapy in Houston, TX

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Houston, TX

Other Therapy Types in Houston

50 OT Therapists in Houston

Aaron Araguz, OTR/L

Adetola Adeosun

Andrea Budd, OT

Anne Booth, OTR

Anthony Bui, OTR/L

Ashley Abrego

Audrey Almendarez

Betty Baer, O.T.

Bjorg Bourianoff, OT

Brandi Bear

Brittany Adrian

Brittany Birkenfeld, OTR

Carla Benavides, OTR/L

Carly Cappozzo, OTR, MSOT, CLT

Carol Anderson, MA, OTR, CHT

Cassandra Cahee

Catherine Alford, OTR/L

Catherine Angel, SLPA, OTR/L

Christina Berry, OTR/L, MOT

Christy Albertson, OTRL

Colette Cabot, OTR

Collins Awosika, OTR/L

Courtney Ahrens, OTD, OTR

Crystal Armes, OTR

Crystal Beverly, OTR

Dana Abramczyk, OTR

Daphne Anderson, OTR

Denise Archer

Denise Baylor, OTR, CLT-LANA, LMT

Diana Arnold

Diane Brocato, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPI

Dorit Aaron, OT

Elizabeth Bontrager, MOT, OTR/L

Elline Callner

Elyssa Blum, OTR

Erika Acevedo, OTR

Erin Aust, OTD

Erin Caramanian, OTR/L

Eva-Maria Anger, OTR

Felicia Canterbury, OT

Florence Brown, OTR

F.Scott Allen, OTR

Genovy Cabrera, OTR, OTD

Giovanni Barron

Grace Aina, OTR/L

Heather Atchison, OTR

Heather Bluzard, OTR

Helen Brown, O.T.

Holly Barratt, OT

Jami Brown, OT

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Occupational Therapy for Children in Houston, TX

What is Occupational Therapy?

Finding the Right OT Therapist in Houston

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy