Cindy Felton
Cindy Felton is a dedicated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with over 11 years of experience helping individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life. Currently practicing in a home health setting in Weatherford, Texas, she specializes in working with seniors and other patients in their own environments, focusing on practical, real-life applications of therapy. Her approach emphasizes helping patients perform everyday activities—such as bathing, dressing, and mobility—so they can remain active and independent members of their households.
Cindy’s journey into occupational therapy is both inspiring and deeply personal. She began her career working in administrative and secretarial roles while raising her family as a single mother. After her previous company closed and her son went off to college, she made the life-changing decision to return to school. Inspired by witnessing her father’s recovery after knee replacement surgery and learning about the impact of occupational therapy, Cindy pursued her degree at Pennsylvania College of Technology. She graduated in 2013 and began practicing in 2014, starting in skilled nursing facilities, later gaining experience in pediatrics, and ultimately transitioning into home health, where she found her true passion.
Throughout her career, Cindy has remained committed to patient-centered care rooted in integrity and compassion. She believes that therapy should be functional and meaningful, using the home as a natural therapeutic setting to help patients build confidence and independence in their daily routines. Driven by a strong desire to support seniors in living fulfilling lives at home, she continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing education, including an interest in nutrition and holistic care. Cindy’s work reflects her belief that with the right support, individuals can maintain dignity, purpose, and independence at every stage of life.
• Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
• Pennsylvania College of Technology- A.A.
• Church Choir Singer
• Church Shuttle Bus Driver
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to truly understand what occupational therapy means—that “occupation” refers to the meaningful activities people do in their daily lives, not just paid work.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's a tough industry because it's not recognized for what it is. You really have to have a thick skin and a passion for what you're going to do. It's great to go into it with those rose-colored glasses and say, I just want to help people, which is how a lot of people get into occupational therapy, but then a lot of people are burning out and leaving the field. I strongly advise, talk to people in the industry, ask before you get into school to shadow. Get deeply involved in it before you make that decision. Don't just go into a therapy gym somewhere or a hospital and get the general idea - we specialize in all kinds of fields. There are hand specialists, pediatric fields, all kinds of things. Look around out there and find other ways. There are lots of groups on Facebook for therapists - get in there, start reading. It is a great field, it has great potential, but it's not being recognized. Find your niche, because what happens is you accrue a whole lot of financial aid debt and people are leaving the field and burning out in 2 to 4 years. Don't be one of those. Do your homework first. There are wonderful opportunities, but you really have to be the one to do the work to look for them.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in occupational therapy is the lack of recognition compared to other disciplines, along with pressures in skilled nursing, burnout, and limited advocacy. At the same time, there are growing opportunities in home health settings to deliver more functional, real-life care, as well as increased interest in nutrition and holistic approaches to improve patient outcomes.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are restoring independence and dignity for patients, providing patient-centered and practical care, and maintaining strong professional integrity in everything I do.