Cara Koscinski

Dr. Cara Koscinski, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CAS, is an occupational therapist with over 28 years of clinical experience, specializing in pediatrics, interoception, executive function, and professional mentoring. She earned her bachelor’s degree in health sciences and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Duquesne University in 1997, and later completed her post-professional doctorate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2019. Although her early career focused on adult practice, Cara’s professional path shifted when both of her sons were diagnosed as autistic. This personal experience deepened her commitment to neuroaffirming care and led her to found a family-centered pediatric occupational therapy clinic in Pittsburgh, which continues to serve children and families today.

Recognizing a gap in accessible, evidence-informed resources, Cara became an early leader in digital education for occupational therapy. She authored multiple award-winning books for therapists, educators, and families, one of which has been translated into five languages, and founded The Pocket Occupational Therapist, one of the first occupational therapy blogs and resource platforms. She is also the founder of OTP Hivemind Mentoring Circle, a professional mentoring community supporting occupational therapy practitioners across clinical practice, documentation, business strategy, and sustainable growth. In addition, Cara established The Executive Function Institute, where she develops research-based training, assessments, and tools for supporting executive function in children. Her signature train-themed framework, The Executive Function Express, integrates occupational therapy, cognitive science, and embodied learning to reframe behavior through regulation and readiness. A lifelong learner and passionate mentor, Cara continues to teach, write, and collaborate with clinicians worldwide, guided by her favorite motto: “Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”