Melanie MoralesOccupational therapists help people who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems regain independence in all areas of their lives.
To help you find the best care, we hunted down the best occupational therapists in Edmonton. We also highlighted the average cost of occupational therapy and related services and our review criteria to help you understand more about this area of rehabilitative healthcare.
Cost of Occupational Therapy in Edmonton
Generally, occupational therapists are paid for their time and expertise. The rates for each office vary, but you can usually reach an agreement with your therapist regarding their fees.
While most would charge per hour or session, some therapists may agree to a flat rate for the duration of their service.
Flat fees usually fall between $1300 and $3200.
Apart from the professional time you’re paying for, there may be clinical program expenses or activities that are part of the treatment schedule that you need to consider as well.
Activities depend upon the needs and recommendations of your occupational therapist. Some treatment programs may include the use of a gym or other medical devices, so these will be included in the clinical program expenses.
Occupational therapy often takes several weeks or months. Other cases even take years, so you may be concerned about expenses piling up.
Fortunately, most insurance providers cover occupational therapy as long as it is deemed medically necessary. The Alberta Health Insurance Plan can also cover part of the expenses provided you have your Alberta Health Care card.
Insurance will likely not cover the entire cost of occupational therapy, but you can expect to get at least 10% to 50% coverage.
For a better understanding of your insurance coverage, we suggest getting in touch with your insurance agent to see what will be covered in your insurance plan.
Meanwhile, we highlighted the average rates of common occupational therapy services in the table below.
Review Criteria for the Best Occupational Therapists in Edmonton
To help you in your search, we reviewed the leading occupational therapists in Edmonton using the following criteria:
1. Tiffanie Mo-Law, Green Tree Rehabilitation
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CERTIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Tiffanie Mo-Law is the founder and CEO of Greentree Rehabilitation and is one of our top bets for occupational therapy for good reasons.
We respect the fact that she has been working in roles involving complex at-risk/marginalized and diverse populations with mental health, brain injuries and disabilities since 1999.
She is also formally qualified by the court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and the Provincial Court of Alberta as an expert in Functional Capacity Evaluation and Future Cost of Care/Life Care Plan.
We like that her medical-legal services also extend to housekeeping assessment and case management.
She graduated from the University of Alberta, first with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational therapy. She then took up a master’s in the same university for Rehabilitation Sciences.
She is certified by the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT) and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).
Tiffanie has also developed neuro-rehabilitation and mental health programming to treat people diagnosed with concussion and brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, orthopedic injuries, and chronic pain.
We applaud the fact that she has also created the Occupational Therapy Occupational Performance Activation (OTOPA) program.
This program involves a dynamic 10 to 12 weeks of occupational therapy that helps persons with ADHD, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, depression, and/or anxiety return to work and other life roles with confidence.
We appreciate that Tiffanie has been in practice for over 15 years, and the company she founded is one of only 3 places in Canada offering a neurorehabilitation program for specialized care of concussions and vestibular dysfunction.
Beyond that, Tiffanie is also bilingual, speaking English and Cantonese. We feel that this can help her connect better with people who speak either language.
With that said, the majority of Tiffanie’s practice consists of medical-legal functional capacity evaluations and future cost of care assessments so we feel she’s best suited for patients in need of those services.
She does not carry out pediatric occupational therapy or speech-language pathology either, so if you require occupational therapy for your child she may not be the best choice.
In any case, we feel confident in suggesting Tiffanie Mo-Law as one of the best occupational therapists if you need physical, cognitive, or psychosocial support in Edmonton.
Pros
- Board-certified occupational therapist
- Provides a specialized care to patients with concussion and vestibular dysfunction
- Formally qualified by the court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta for medical-legal evaluations
Cons
- Does not handle pediatric occupational therapy or speech-language pathology
Customer Reviews:
Helped me regain my ability to have a productive daily routine
“Green Tree was a saviour on my path to feeling like I can return to work confidently! I had tried other treatments, but before Green Tree, I was depressed and thought that I would never feel like myself again. Tiffanie and the staff always assured me I could get better by making little improvements day by day. They also helped me regain my ability to have a productive daily routine. I now feel much less anxious and positive about the future!” – Kenan W., Google Reviews
Very thorough, provided many suggestions on things that would benefit improvement
“I had recently needed to get a third party assessment pertaining to a spinal cord injury a couple of years ago and was sent to Greentree on the south side. All the staff was very friendly and helpful, especially when I got frustrated with a questionnaire needed on pre/post-accident capabilities. I got in my head too much causing me anxiety. They were very thorough and provided me with many suggestions on all the things that would benefit my improvement. Their assessment prompted me to seek more medical attention for problems I never knew existed. Good catch, Ladies! Greentree is an excellent place to be.” – Phyllis Kosowan, Google Reviews
2. Fadia Moustarah B.Sc, B.ScOT, OT(c), Moustarah Milestones
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CERTIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Fadia Moustarah specializes in pediatric rehabilitation and has been working in pediatrics for 19 years.
She works in transdisciplinary environments, including providing consultation for Edmonton School Boards and a private practice where she supports parents in helping children achieve their developmental milestones.
We like that Fadia has extensive experience, but we also appreciate her qualifications. She studied at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences majoring in biological sciences.
We also like that she has extensive knowledge in child psychology which helps make her an effective pediatric occupational therapist.
Aside from that, Fadia has active memberships in the ACOT and SAOT. She also has a long list of certifications that allow her to use multiple treatment techniques and assessment tools.
We like that she is well-versed in assessment tools like Peabody Developmental Motor Scale (PDMS), Motor-Free Visual Perception Test (MVPT), Visual-motor integration (VMI), and Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT), as well as sensory profile.
These specialized assessment tools make her a great choice if you’re looking for a comprehensive assessment and evaluation for your child.
We know that developmental conditions and disorders tend to be difficult to diagnose, so having access to a medical professional with the right assessment skills is a great help.
Fadia is also the founder of Moustarah Milestones, a private practice specializing in assessing, evaluating, and treating pediatric occupational therapy.
Her practice provides services such as speech-language pathology, educational consulting and counselling, adapted physical education and physical therapy.
We believe that Fadia is a good choice if your child needs support in gaining cognitive skills, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, self-care tasks and social skills.
The only concern we have is that neither Fadia nor Moustarah Milestones seem to have a physical office address. This suggests that walk-in clients will be unlikely to be accommodated.
Fadia also functions as a consultant to public schools, so we have reason to believe she has a hectic schedule.
However, her private practice appears to have a consultant team consisting of a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and physical therapist.
We would suggest contacting her private practice if you want to have a consultation.
All in all, we believe that Fadia Moustarah is one of the best occupational therapists you can find for your child.
Pros
- Has been practicing pediatrics for 19 years
- Member of ACOT and SAOT
- Able to use assessment tools such as PDMS, MVPT, VMI, SIPT and sensory profile
- Provides education consultation and counselling
Cons
- Does not accept walk-ins
- Does not specialize in adult occupational therapy
Customer Reviews:
Listens and applies the best technique that would suit the child in the best way possible
“I’ve worked with Fadia Moustarah for a few years and she is very compassionate about her job. She cares for children and wants them to be successful in learning and she treats everyone with the understanding that we all learn very differently. Fadia Moustarah would be the consultant that I would go to if I were at a loss for ideas. She would listen and apply the best technique that would suit the child in the best way possible. She is an outstanding person in general. I feel that it’s an honour to know such a kind-hearted soul.” – Linda Doherty, Google Reviews
Connected with my son and presented therapy ideas in a fun way
“As a parent, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Fadia in both a school and home setting. She is kind, compassionate, and very knowledgeable. She has helped my son achieve goals with his fine motor skills and his communication. The way she connected with my son and presented therapy ideas was so fun for him that it made his siblings want to join in and play; engaging everyone in the family has made implementing therapy in our daily life effortless. I look forward to continuing working with Fadia and recommend Moustarah Milestones to everyone.” – Alaa Rahme, Google Reviews
3. Audree Foster, Reach Sports Physiotherapy and Hand Clinic
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CERTIFICATIONS | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Audree Foster is the owner and founder of Sports Physiotherapy and Hand Clinic. Before that, she was working in the University of Alberta Hospital Outpatient Surgery Department dealing with hand therapy patients.
Her extensive experience in hand therapy has allowed her to obtain a Certified Hand Therapist designation in 2020.
We like that Audree has pursued board certification from the ACOT as well as a membership in the Canadian Society of Hand Therapists and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
We like that she is also board certified in the USA by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists. We don’t think you can go wrong with a therapist that is recognized by boards from two countries.
However, our favourite thing about Audree is less her qualifications and more her way of dealing with her patients. While her specialization is hand therapy and occupational therapy, she does not have many qualifications in psychology, neurology or other related fields.
She makes up for that in her treatment approaches that emphasize collaboration. She and her team at Reach Sports work together to work out the best treatment plans for her patients.
When necessary, they also involve other healthcare professionals in the treatment to ensure sustainable outcomes and positive results.
We also like how hands-on she is at handling her patients even outside of their therapy sessions. We have heard that she is quick to respond to emails or phone calls and will be the first to coordinate with other medical professionals if other assessments are necessary.
We also like that her private practice at Reach Sports seems to be equipped with technology to be able to provide different treatment modalities. These include ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), cryotherapy (ice) and heat.
All things considered, we recommend Audree Foster for people in need of occupational therapy and hand therapy.
Pros
- Well-equipped facility
- Board-certified in Canada and the USA
- Adapts a positive, collaborative approach
- Great bedside manner and is responsive outside of therapy sessions
- Has extensive experience
Cons
- Has limited specializations
Customer Reviews:
Went above and beyond my expectations
“Audree went above and beyond my expectations in treating my injury as well as providing guidance to prevent re-injury in the future. I started rehabilitation at Reach after months of immobilization following a full-thickness tear of my TFCC, which I’ve suffered from in the past. I learnt from Audree that my anatomy makes me more prone to this type of injury, so her focus was therefore not only getting me back to normal but also teaching me how to avoid future tears by adapting day-to-day activities.” – Alexis O’Flynn, Google Reviews
Very efficient at isolating the cause of my pain
“I am so thrilled with the treatment I received at Reach. Audree was very helpful in explaining why my injury was causing issues and she was very efficient at isolating the cause of my pain, sending me home with multiple tools to help my recovery. Great service and a very nice facility!” – Laura Harding, Google Reviews
4. Lisa Vetsch, Green Tree Rehabilitation Services
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CERTIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Lisa Vetsch is a hardened occupational therapist, having been in practice for more than 20 years.
She is a part of the Green Tree Rehabilitation family, and we feel that she is one of the best occupational therapists in Edmonton.
We think that her background is a good indication of how capable she is as an occupational therapist.
In 1999, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta.
She has since obtained a good standing with the ACOT and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).
She has also undergone training for Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, the industry-standard treatment for PTSD. She is also trained for the Matheson Functional Capacity Evaluations.
Lisa also has a diverse clinical background. She has dabbled in areas of practice such as cognitive, psychosocial, physical assessment and rehabilitation.
We like that her expertise extends to both adults and children because you can benefit from her help no matter the age.
We like that she is also well-versed in ergonomic and work function assessments, so persons who need support in regaining skills to be able to return to work can learn from her as well.
While Lisa is an expert in treating people with PTSD, she has also helped people with orthopedic injuries, chronic pain, learning disabilities, depression and anxiety and neurodevelopmental delays.
Due to the nature of cases she handles, it’s also important that her patients feel safe with her. Based on what we can see, it seems that Lisa does have a way of connecting to her patients to help them face their fears.
If you’re in need of a helping hand, Lisa Vetsch might just be the person to help you regain aspects of your life and reach your full potential.
Pros
- Board-certified occupational therapist
- More than 20 years of experience
- Works with adults and children
Cons
- Limited specialization
Customer Reviews:
An incredible human who helped me regain aspects of my life back
“Lisa is an incredible human who helped me regain aspects of my life back that I had believed were gone forever. I wasn’t even going to the grocery store alone. During exposure therapy sessions I always trusted her and felt safe. I believed she had my best interest at heart and she pushed me in all the ways that were required for me to face my fears. I feel as though I’ve taken thousands of steps towards healing with Lisa by my side. She gave me hope that I will be able to keep fighting my way through and healing one step at a time. I am so incredibly grateful to have had her during the hardest time of my life. I am not a social media person and I don’t usually write reviews for things but I wanted to write this in hopes that someone will be able to get similar support on their healing journey.” – Trina Cerridwen, Google Reviews
5. Parisa Wazir, Lifemark Meadowlark Center
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| CERTIFICATIONS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Parisa Wazir is an occupational therapist affiliated with Lifemark Meadowlark Center. She is registered with the ACOT and was an alumna of the University of Alberta for both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
We like that she speaks multiple languages namely English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. We believe this to be beneficial in reaching and connecting to more patients of various backgrounds and ethnicities.
We also like that she appears to be a kind, caring, and very approachable therapist. We went through the reviews of all Lifemark locations and found plenty of positive mentions for Parisa.
She seems to be quite effective at leaving a positive impression on her patients through her treatment outcomes.
We did hesitate to bring Parisa in because it appears she has only recently completed her master’s. However, from what we can tell this does not hinder her at all.
While she does have less experience than others on this list as well as many occupational therapists in Edmonton, she is already making her name known in the field. She has a great bedside manner and seems to take great care in handling her patients.
She has also worked in a wide range of practice areas including both pediatric and geriatrics, oncology, hand therapy, acute psychiatry, and special needs. We believe this has helped in developing her skills in occupational therapy.
We also think it’s important to mention that since she is affiliated with Lifemark, she is accessible through multiple platforms. Lifemark has multiple locations, and we believe she can work at any if necessary.
Lifemark Meadowlark Center in particular is a favourite due to its easily accessible mall location.
We also appreciate the fact that Lifemark accepts direct billing and multiple coverage options for insurance including all third-party insurance, WCB claim, extended health benefits, and motorcycle vehicle accident insurance.
They also offer online therapy if you aren’t able to come onsite for a therapy session.
All in all, we believe Parisa Wazir has a lot to offer as an occupational therapist.
Pros
- Board-certified occupational therapist
- Has experience in a wide range of practice areas
- Direct billing and multiple coverage options available
- Can handle physical or psychological treatment plans
- Mall location easily accessible
- Offers online therapy sessions via Virtual Care
- Speaks English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu
- Friendly and approachable
Cons
- Has less experience
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful person, caring, understanding
“Parisa best occupational therapist I’ve had wonderful person caring understanding just the best.” – Joe Stokes, Google Reviews
Very kind, patient and helpful
“I had Parisa as an Occupational Therapist. She was very kind, patient and helpful. I learned techniques to help me get into daily routines for sleep, hygiene, physical activity and self-care. Very lovely lady. Thank you.” – Tracey Parish, Google Reviews
Brought out the best solutions to all my problems
“Parisa helped me a lot through occupational therapy. She was really understanding of my situation and brought out the best solutions to all my problems.” – Avneet Kaur, Google Reviews
6. McColl Therapy
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CERTIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Logan McColl provides occupational therapy to improve mental health, navigate relationships, and develop work-life participation. Complementing the function-focused strategies of occupational therapy, he incorporates multiple psychological modalities to best meet your needs. Logan has completed advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Emotion Focused Therapies, and Interpersonal Therapies. He is also trained in Matheson Functional Evaluations, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and more.
With over a decade of experience, he has a background working in both community and hospital settings, and previously led a multidisciplinary psychiatric rehabilitation team for Alberta Health Services. He graduated from the University of Alberta, first with a BSc Specialization in Psychology and later with a MSc in Occupational Therapy. He is a certified member of the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT), the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), and the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists (SAOT). Logan mentors and supervises developing rehabilitation therapists to provide occupational therapy services we think will help you progress through the pain, injury, illness and stress. We like that they come up with strategies that are based on our lifestyle, desired activities, and the mind-body connection of the nervous system.
We also like how they’re able to address many concerns like chronic pain and disability, anxiety and depression, fatigue and burnout, substance abuse, mental illnesses, PTSD and more!
They’re also able to assist through different aspects including focus and productivity, work-life balance, regulation skills, daily function and activity, relationship skills, and clinical rehabilitation. We think that it’s great how they’re able to tackle all aspects of life to help their patients get better.
Another thing that we like is the convenience they offer for their appointments since they have phone, online and in-person meetings as options. They are also available for appointments on evenings and weekends if requested.
Pros
- Registered occupational therapist
- Holistic approach to treatment
- Wide range of concerns addressed
- Phone, online and in-person meetings for your convenience
Cons
- Closed on weekends
Customer Reviews:
“I was working with Logan for about a year and half, and I doubt I could have made the progression without his assistance. I went from someone who didn’t enjoy being around others to being someone who takes a crowded bus everyday. I went from someone who didn’t know how to cook to someone who wants to cook for others. And I went from someone who was pretty bitter to someone who cares about myself and those around me. Thank you Logan!”
7. Woven Blessings
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CERTIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Woven Blessings is a facility that delivers holistic and client-centered occupational therapy services. Headed and operated by Nicole Kluthe, she has since then been adequately certified to offer clients comprehensive and tailored therapies for her clients.
Specializing in treating both children and mothers, she has since then been emphasizing her love for life, personal growth, and holistic support when it comes to approaching each treatment with them.
We also like that she is able to conduct her sessions both in her clinic and online to better accommodate the special needs of the clients.
Note that she charges per hour and clients may need to inquire further for more personalized times and approaches should the need arise.
Nonetheless, with their comprehensive workshops, inclusive services, and personalized approach to every treatment, we highly recommend them to clients in the area who need effective occupational therapy services.
Pros
- Holisitc and personalized services
- Educational workshops conducted
- Versatile sessions
Cons
- Services charged per hour
Customer Reviews:
Here is a review from their client:
“My husband and I sought Nicole out after our son had started kindergarten and been identified as having difficulties with fine motor activities. After a comprehensive meeting with my husband and I, Nicole met with our son and assessed his needs. She worked with us to develop a scope and sequence of activities for him. She worked with him weekly and sent home detailed reports each week so that we could follow up and work through activities at home as well. Nicole was positive, energetic and compassionate throughout our time with her. She was a great communicator and our son loved his time working with her. Our son made amazing gains with her help and even his teacher noticed his exponential growth with fine motor activities. I would absolutely recommend Nicole to anyone looking for an occupational therapist.”
FAQs About the Best Occupational Therapists in Edmonton
That’s it for our review of the best occupational therapists in Alberta. If you have other medical concerns you’d like to consult with a specialist, you may want to look at the following articles:
