Real life.
Closer observation.
Meaningful practice.
I’m an occupational therapist and the founder of CITS. My work brings together pediatric practice, occupation-centered thinking, and a commitment to making AMPS training accessible.
Start with
the person.
The everyday is where
my work begins.
I’m Spencer VanDenburg, an occupational therapist and the founder of the Center for Innovative Therapy Solutions. My work starts with the activities that matter to each person and how they participate in everyday life.
My clinical background
For nearly a decade, I’ve worked in pediatric outpatient occupational therapy with children who have developmental disabilities. That experience shapes how I think about participation: understanding what a person wants and needs to do, and looking closely at how those activities unfold in everyday life. I became certified in the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) early in my clinical career.
How I approach occupational therapy
My approach to occupational therapy centers on understanding people through both their lived experiences and their engagement in the everyday activities that matter to them. My writing explores occupation-centered practice, client-centered evaluation, and the cultural context that shapes how people perform and experience daily activities. I’m particularly interested in how observation can deepen what we learn through interviews, and how the meaning and performance of familiar occupations can vary across individuals, environments, and cultures.
02 / PERSPECTIVES
Looking closer.
Thinking beyond the score.
Reflections on clinical observation,
everyday occupations, and the people
at the center of my practice.
CULTURE & CONTEXT
Cultural sensitivity in
occupational therapy
My reflections on how food preparation, familiar tools, and daily routines invite a more thoughtful look at task performance.
CLIENT-CENTERED PRACTICE
Listening is the beginning.
Observation adds another dimension.
A reflection on bringing the occupational interview together with observation of the activities that matter to the client.
CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE
Starting with the person
or the problem?
Considering top-down and bottom-up approaches to occupational therapy evaluation.
THERAPY SOLUTIONSFrom practice
to possibility.
Supporting access to
occupation-centered assessment.
03 / MY WORK AT CITS
My work at CITS.
Access to AMPS.
When colleagues began asking how they could access AMPS training, I saw a need that led me to establish the Center for Innovative Therapy Solutions.
As President and CEO, I work to expand access to the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). My work at CITS focuses on training and the tools that support occupation-centered assessment in clinical practice.
For current AMPS training, calibration, and platform information, visit CITS.
Explore CITS & AMPSFIND THE RIGHT PLACE
Before you
get in touch.
Where should I go for AMPS training and platform information?
For current training, rater calibration, and platform details, visit the CITS website. I keep this personal website focused on my background and perspectives.
How can I contact you about your writing or professional collaboration?
You can email me or connect with me on LinkedIn. Include the topic or perspective you’re responding to and a little context about your work.
04 / LET’S CONNECT
Let’s talk about
practice and ideas.
Have a question about my writing or an idea for professional collaboration? Tell me what you’re working on and how it connects with occupation-centered practice.