167,360
Occupational Therapists
100%
Accepting patients
38%
Most common: OTR
FindClarity lists 167,360 occupational therapists nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is OTR (38%).
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages perform daily activities (called "occupations") when illness, injury, disability, or developmental challenges make these tasks difficult. OTs hold a master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy (two to three years of graduate study) plus supervised fieldwork. They are licensed in all states.
For children, OTs address fine motor skills (handwriting, using scissors, buttoning), sensory processing difficulties, feeding challenges, and self-care skills. For adults, OTs help with rehabilitation after stroke, hand and upper extremity injuries, return to work after injury, and adapting the home environment for people with disabilities or aging-related limitations.
OTs differ from physical therapists in focus: physical therapists concentrate on gross motor movement and strength, while occupational therapists focus on the functional activities those movements enable. In practice, OT and PT often overlap and complement each other during rehabilitation.
For children: see an OT if your child struggles with handwriting, avoids textures or certain foods (sensory processing), has difficulty with self-care tasks (dressing, feeding) compared to peers, or has fine motor delays identified by a pediatrician or teacher. For adults: see an OT after a stroke, hand or arm injury, joint replacement, traumatic brain injury, or when a chronic condition (arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's) makes daily tasks difficult. OTs also help with workplace ergonomics and injury prevention.
An initial evaluation lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The OT will assess your ability to perform daily activities, test strength and range of motion (especially upper body and hands), and evaluate sensory processing, cognition, and home or work environment as relevant. For children, evaluation often includes play-based assessment and parent interview. Treatment sessions are 30 to 60 minutes, typically one to three times per week. OTs use purposeful activities, exercises, adaptive equipment, and environmental modifications to help you reach your goals.
Evaluation: $150-400 · Therapy session copay: $20-60 with insurance · Self-pay session: $100-200 · Hand therapy session: $100-250 · School-based OT: free through IEP
Physical therapy focuses on movement, strength, balance, and pain reduction, primarily for the lower body and overall mobility. Occupational therapy focuses on the ability to perform daily tasks using fine motor skills, cognition, and adaptive strategies, primarily involving the upper body and hands. After a stroke, a PT might work on walking while an OT works on dressing, cooking, and writing. Many rehabilitation patients benefit from both.
Yes. Most insurance plans cover OT when medically necessary with a prescription or referral. Plans may impose visit limits (20-60 sessions per year). Medicare covers outpatient OT without a hard cap. Medicaid covers OT for children under EPSDT. School-based OT through an IEP is free. Verify your plan's visit limits and pre-authorization requirements.
Sensory processing is how the brain interprets input from the senses (touch, sound, movement, taste, smell, sight). Some children over-respond (covering ears at normal sounds, refusing certain textures) or under-respond (not noticing pain, seeking intense movement). OTs help children develop strategies to manage sensory input so they can participate in school, play, and daily activities comfortably.
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Most insurance plans cover occupational therapy with a prescription. Visit limits of 20 to 60 sessions per year are common. Medicare covers outpatient OT without a hard visit cap. Medicaid covers OT for children under EPSDT. For hand therapy (a specialized OT certification), verify your plan covers the certified hand therapist (CHT) designation. Adaptive equipment recommended by an OT (shower chairs, dressing aids) may be covered under durable medical equipment benefits.