Occupational Therapy in Texas
Get back to the activities that matter. Our licensed occupational therapists help patients regain independence in self-care, work, leisure, and any area of life you need help on — with a focus on the whole person, not just the injury.
What Occupational Therapy Does
Occupational therapists help patients regain independence in the necessary daily activities, focusing on the use of all extremities, neurological areas such as coordination and perceptual components, cognitive, psychological areas, and adaptive skills needed for self-care, work, and leisure.
Universal Rehab was founded by an occupational therapist, so our OT practice is a core part of who we are. Our team meets patients in any facility or location as needed — where they live, in homes, community settings, and agency-based programs across Texas — and we take a whole-person approach that blends physical rehab with the cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that determine quality of life.
OT has a major role in psychiatry and mental and emotional health as the only rehab discipline trained in this field. Here we address the functional impact of mental and emotional health conditions, helping patients rebuild daily routines, re-engage in meaningful roles, develop coping and self-regulation skills, and regain the sense of purpose that comes from participation in valued activities. OT works alongside — not in place of — psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment, concentrating on how these conditions disrupt self-care, work, sleep, relationships, and leisure, and on the practical strategies that restore day-to-day stability.
Examples of Services We Provide
- Retraining with all areas needed for independence in activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, grooming, feeding, and functional tasks needed for work of all types)
- Upper-extremity strengthening and fine motor coordination exercises
- Home safety assessments and recommendations for adaptive equipment to improve safety, independence, and return to quality of life
- Cognitive rehabilitation for memory, attention, and problem-solving
- Energy conservation and joint protection techniques for patients with arthritis or chronic fatigue
- Stress management for physical and emotional issues along with chronic pain management
- Remediation of the crippling effects of psychiatric, psychological, and emotional disorders impacting any function or independence in any area of life
Who Our OTs Work With
Occupational therapy addresses an extraordinarily broad range of needs. These are the most common categories we see:
Neurological & Cognitive
- Stroke (CVA) recovery
- Traumatic brain injury
- Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cognitive changes from dementia or medical illness
Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic
- Arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis)
- Hand and wrist injuries or post-surgical recovery
- Fractures and post-immobilization rehab
- Chronic pain and fibromyalgia
- Repetitive-strain injuries
Adaptive & Functional
- Activities of daily living (ADL) retraining
- Return-to-work conditioning
- Home safety and fall prevention
- Adaptive equipment training
- Caregiver education and training
Emotional & Psychological Disorders
- Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety
- Depressive disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma- and stressor-related conditions
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions
- Schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses, with emphasis on functional recovery, routine-building, and community re-entry
- Substance use disorders, with a focus on role development and meaningful engagement
- Eating disorders, addressing restoration of healthy daily patterns and re-engagement in life roles
- Adjustment disorders following illness, injury, loss, or major life transitions
- Sensory processing and emotional regulation difficulties, including those associated with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD
- Grief, bereavement, and complicated loss — addressing the functional and role-based impact
- Stress-related conditions, burnout, and caregiver strain
- Psychological effects of chronic illness, chronic pain, and acquired disability — including depression and anxiety secondary to stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cancer, or progressive neurological disease
- Behavioral and mood disturbances associated with dementia and other cognitive disorders
As the oldest and most holistic rehab discipline, OT coordinates its unique focus on independence and quality of life with all other disciplines. In the area of psychological and emotional disorders, OT works closely with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and behavioral therapists. In physical medicine, OTs collaborate closely with our PTs, speech-language pathologists, nurses, and social workers to deliver truly interdisciplinary care — the same patient gets a coordinated team, not a fragmented series of services.
Who Benefits from Occupational Therapy
OT is for anyone whose ability to perform everyday activities has been disrupted — by injury, illness, surgery, a developmental difference, emotional or psychological disorders, or simply aging. Our therapists work with pediatric patients, adults navigating a recent diagnosis, older adults who want to remain safely at home, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) receiving services through agency-based programs.
- Stroke and brain injury survivors
- Adults with arthritis, chronic pain, or chronic fatigue
- Patients dealing with all types of emotional or physical stress or trauma
- Older adults focused on aging in place
- Patients recovering from hand surgery
- Individuals with IDD needing functional skills training
- Caregivers learning safe transfer and assistance techniques
What to Expect
Initial OT Evaluation
Your first visit is a full evaluation of how you perform daily activities, function of all extremities (especially upper-extremity function), cognition, and the home environment. We identify barriers and set goals that matter to you.
Individualized Plan of Care
We design a plan around your priorities — whether that’s returning to work, cooking independently again, safely bathing and dressing, or regaining fine motor control after surgery.
Hands-On Therapy
Sessions may blend ADL retraining, upper-extremity strengthening, eye-hand coordination, sensory and other neurological deficits, cognitive exercises, adaptive equipment training, energy conservation, and stress management based on what you need that week.
Reassessment & Discharge Planning
We track functional progress at every session and reassess formally at set intervals. Discharge planning focuses on maintenance strategies and caregiver education so gains hold up over time.
Our Evidence-Based Approach
Occupational therapy at Universal Rehab follows evidence-based practice standards established by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Our clinicians stay current on continuing education across the areas above as well as neurological rehab, home safety, hand therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation.
Learn more about the profession and its scope through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA), the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational profile.
Why Choose Universal Rehab for Occupational Therapy
- OT-founded company — occupational therapy is in our DNA
- Texas-licensed occupational therapists with specialty training (neuro, hand, pediatrics, geriatrics)
- Whole-person care that blends physical, cognitive, and emotional factors
- Coordinated plans with PT, speech, nursing, social work, and dietary services
- Home-based visits and telehealth follow-ups across Texas
- Caregiver and family education built into every plan of care
Occupational Therapy Across Texas
We provide occupational therapy statewide — in homes, community-based programs, agency settings, and through secure telehealth. Our home-based model is especially effective for ADL retraining, because we train patients in the actual kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom where they’ll be doing those tasks every day.
Unsure whether we serve your area? Call (281) 820-9462 and our intake team will confirm coverage and scheduling.
A Family’s Experience
“Our OT didn’t just help my mom do her exercises — she walked us through the whole kitchen and bathroom, pointed out fall risks we never noticed, and taught me how to safely help mom with transfers. We feel confident keeping her at home now.”
— Maria, Daughter and Caregiver
Regain the Independence You Want
Whether you’re recovering from a stroke, managing arthritis, or helping an aging parent stay safely at home, our OTs are ready to help. Schedule your evaluation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?
Physical therapy focuses on movement, strength, and mobility. Occupational therapy focuses on helping patients regain independence in daily activities — self-care, work, and leisure — using upper-extremity retraining, cognitive rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and home safety strategies.
Who can benefit from occupational therapy?
Anyone whose ability to perform daily activities has been affected by injury, illness, surgery, or aging. This includes stroke survivors, people with arthritis or chronic pain, hand surgery patients, older adults with functional decline, and patients with cognitive changes from brain injury or neurological disease.
What does a home safety assessment include?
An OT assesses fall risks, lighting, bathroom safety, transfer points, clutter, and the layout of frequently used spaces. We recommend adaptive equipment, grab bars, or environmental modifications — and coordinate with Supportive Services if home modifications are needed.
Do you treat hand injuries and upper-extremity conditions?
Yes. Upper-extremity strengthening and fine motor coordination exercises are a core part of our OT practice, including care after hand surgery, for arthritis, and for patients recovering from stroke or nerve injuries.
Can OT help with cognitive rehabilitation after a stroke, brain injury, or loss of any kind of mental functioning?
Yes. Our OTs work on memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive function — often in coordination with speech-language pathology for communication-focused cognition.
Will my insurance cover occupational therapy?
Yes. OT, like other licensed disciplines, is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and all insurances that cover skilled disciplines when medically necessary. We also maintain a log of the certified providers who accept various insurances so we can refer to our client companies while you maintain your clinical specialists with us.
How long does a course of occupational therapy take?
Duration depends on your goals and diagnosis. For acute care, some patients make meaningful progress in a few weeks, while others benefit from several months of care. Chronic conditions may require long-term treatment for goals to be met.