Specializing in Stroke Recovery in Sun City Center, FL
& the South Shore area of Hillsborough County
We help stroke survivors move
their arm better so life feels
easier and they have energy
for what matters most
Embedded Files
Serving Sun City Center, FL & the South Shore area of Hillsborough County
Welcome to Creative Concepts in Occupational Therapy—a place where stroke survivors and their care partners are truly seen, heard, and valued.
I'm Debra, your partner in recovery.
As a young adult, I was suddenly—and without warning—thrust into the role of care partner, long before I ever trained as an OT practitioner. I had no roadmap—and never in my life had I felt so lost. That experience shaped everything that came next. When I entered the field of occupational therapy, I vowed to support the people I care for in the most thoughtful, collaborative, and meaningful way I can.
At Creative Concepts in OT, our approach starts with knowing and understanding you. We believe in the power of collaboration, the importance of being heard, and the freedom that comes when you're supported to take charge of your recovery in ways that truly matter to you.
The care we provide is centered around three pillars:
1. Connection & Convenience
We come to you—literally and relationally. Sessions happen in your home, on your schedule, and always with presence and compassion. We believe feeling safe, seen, and understood is essential for healing.
2. Strength & Empowerment
We see your strength—even when you’re not sure it’s there. By recognizing and building on your abilities, we support you and your care partners to grow with confidence and take empowered steps forward.
3. Meaning & Purpose
Recovery isn’t about checklists—it’s about getting back to what matters most. Whether it’s cooking a favorite meal, enjoying a hobby, or simply feeling more like yourself again, we focus on what brings purpose to your everyday life.
You know better than anyone what your needs are. That’s why we take the time to listen, understand, and design a plan that reflects what’s most important to you—and the life you’re working toward.
Partnering for Progress
At Creative Concepts in Occupational Therapy, you’re more than a client—you’re part of a caring community.
We invite you to continue your stroke recovery journey with us.
Book your free consultation today, and let’s move forward together.
We Have the Skills and Training to Help You Move—and Live—Better
Debra holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and spent years providing OT services at a comprehensive stroke center, where advanced training was required for all clinicians. During her time there, she helped develop evidence-based restorative programs to support stroke recovery and well-being, including a hospital-based early mobility initiative for individuals in intensive care.
Her approach blends clinical expertise in stroke recovery with a deep understanding of the nervous system and emotional healing. Debra integrates continuing education in nervous system regulation, trauma-informed care, and mind-body practices—including certification in HeartMath techniques for building resilience and emotional regulation. This helps clients and care partners feel supported, safe, and empowered throughout recovery.
As a former fieldwork coordinator and educator for occupational therapy assistant students, Debra is also passionate about mentorship and professional growth. She continues to support fellow practitioners by teaching stroke-specific continuing education courses and co-hosting the Noggins And Neurons: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified podcast—an educational and encouraging resource for professionals, survivors, and care partners navigating life after brain injury.
What That Means for You
When you work with Creative Concepts in OT, you’re not just getting expert care—you’re gaining a partner who sees the whole you.
We help you move with more ease, rebuild your confidence, and reconnect with the activities and relationships that give life meaning.
Plus, we support your care partners too—because when everyone feels equipped and empowered, recovery becomes something you don’t have to navigate alone.
Stroke Recovery Is Hard.
BUT FINDING THE RIGHT SUPPORT SHOULDN'T BE!
You deserve a rehab approach that makes sense for you and your goals.
You deserve a provider who truly sees you.
At Creative Concepts In OT, we take the time to learn about you. We want to know your story, your goals, your concerns.
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The Creative Concepts Difference
Where expert care meets collaboration, connection and compassion
Our service goes beyond the basics. You've already been there. Choosing a community partner isn't something you take lightly—and neither do we. We understand that pushing past limits requires someone who knows how to help and is ready to work with you.
We know this is an important decision. You want a partner who is understanding, compassionate, and confident in stroke recovery methods.
Here are the top 10 reasons our services stand out as the premier choice for stroke survivors striving for meaningful, lasting recovery.
1. Stroke Is Our Specialty. We don’t just dabble in stroke recovery—we specialize in it. That means the care you receive is focused, research-informed, and tailored to your unique needs.
2. Consistent, personalized care. You’ll always work with the same therapist, in your own home. This continuity allows us to truly get to know you, build trust, and create a plan around what matters most to you.
3. Sessions that meet you where you are. Sessions are personalized to your abilities, goals, and stage of recovery—whether you're working on fine motor control, reaching, grasping, or daily routines. We adapt with you as you grow.
4. In-Home Convenience. Skip the stress of travel and unfamiliar environments. All sessions happen in your home, where you can focus fully on healing.
5. Care Partners Are Part of the Team. We welcome your loved ones as part of the recovery process. Including them reinforces your progress, builds confidence, and creates opportunities for shared connection.
6. Real-Life Coaching for Care Partners. Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. Care partners play a vital role in survivor's success. We coach care partners to provide meaningful support between sessions—without burning out. When you move forward together, healing becomes a shared journey.
This kind of teamwork strengthens your recovery and deepens connection. Your care partner’s life changed, too—and when you’re working toward the same goal, it can become a powerful way to grow together.
7. Meaningful Tools, Not Busy Work. You won’t find generic handouts here. We provide purposeful therapy tools, progress trackers, and exclusive video content—all designed to support real, lasting recovery.
8. Progress That Builds on Itself. Our programs are scaffolded to match your growth. We use the “just-right challenge” to keep your brain engaged, adjusting strategies in real-time as your abilities evolve.
9. Repetition Drives Recovery. The science is clear: recovery takes reps. We use evidence-based techniques to build movement—even when it feels stalled—so your brain and body keep learning.
10. A Strengths-Based, Empowering Approach. You and your care team bring valuable strengths to the table. We build on them to create strategies that feel doable and empowering—so you can take ownership of your progress, one step at a time.
We collaborate with you to create a plan that reflects your needs, your priorities, and your hopes.
We meet you where you are — and help you move toward where you want to be.
Together, we’ll help you get unstuck and regain momentum in your recovery,
moving toward the life you dream of living.
That's why we developed the Arm Recovery Method.
This intensive, targeted program helps revive motor skills & (re)ignite progress---whether you're early in your recovery or years post-stroke.
People with mild, moderate, and severe deficits can benefit.
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Creative Concepts in Occupational Therapy believes in empowering you along your recovery journey. With the Arm Recovery Method we can help with:
MOVING YOUR ARM BETTER
Regain purposeful movement, strength, and fine motor control using brain-based strategies that promote neuroplasticity. All change begins in the brain.
Break the Cycle of Learned Non-Use: After a stroke, it’s common to unconsciously stop using the affected arm or hand—especially when you can't feel your arm or movement feels difficult and frustrating. But avoiding use can actually reinforce weakness and slow recovery.
We help you re-engage your affected side through guided, meaningful movement—so you can rebuild strength, confidence, and function, one step at a time.
RE-CONNECTING WITH YOUR BODY
If stroke affected your perception, even basic movements can feel disorienting. We help retrain your brain to better recognize your affected side and surroundings to improve your body & spatial awareness.
Learn methods that rewire how your brain processes body sensations and help you feel connected to your body again.
These techniques can help reduce pain and discomfort common after stroke along with better awareness of your affected side - leading to more restful sleep, improved comfort, and greater ease in daily movements.
UNLOCKING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL
We understand the hard work of getting your body to cooperate again. That's why we work with you to help move you towards your goals for a better life...
If your thinking is different, we can help strengthen your memory, attention, and mental clarity - skills that support not just your recovery, but also your independence, confidence and qualify of life.
Whether you want to hold your grandchild or hug your special person, we're here to help you move in that direction.
What Happens If You Don’t Act?
Recovery doesn’t stand still.
Without the right support, survivors often experience
Increased stiffness or pain
More difficulty using the affected arm
Loss of motivation or confidence
Greater dependence on others
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.
But it’s not too late. The brain can change—and so can you.
You don’t have to settle. You just need the right path forward.
CALL US NOW
(813) 308-9511
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