Meet Nikita Jones | Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikita Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikita, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve had the idea for OT Untangled for about 6 years, and have always played around with what it would become. I started making printables, and an instagram that broke down complex OT topics into easy-to-understand language (hence “Untangled”). I’ve been an OT practitioner for 10 years, but it wasn’t until 2 years ago when I had my son, that I realized who I should truly create OT Untangled for. I was working in a clinic at the time, and had entered an entire new realm: parenthood. I saw pediatric OT in a brand new light, and I somehow felt like I connected to the moms and dads on a deeper level than I had before I became a parent. I saw how hard it was for parents to carry over what they learned during OT sessions into their homes and daily lives, and the amount of information they were being bombarded with on social media, and the anxiety that endless googling for answers caused them. This is where my new plan came into play. I’m now working on developing a program for parents of neurodiverse children who are overwhelmed and want to learn the basic foundations of sensory and regulation, so that they’re not simply repeating something they saw on Instagram with their child and hoping for the best, but they are empowered with the foundational knowledge and are given tools, and a community to support them and their children.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most excited to see the transformation of the families who join my program. I know that there are so many courses in my field geared towards therapists, clinicians, teachers, and paraprofessionals, but I rarely see them for parents. I know there’s a need there, and I want to fill that gap. It hasn’t been easy, but little by little I’m getting there.

Over the course of 10 years as an OT practitioner, I essentially “Frankenstein-ed” strategies from other therapists. Over the years, I’ve worked with some extraordinary therapists, who all have their own styles. I would observe A LOT and soak it all in like a sponge. I’ll see something a fellow therapist does with a client. Maybe it’s a new way to play, or the way they communicate. If I like it, I try it out myself and add it to my repertoire. If not, I don’t. My therapy style is a result of all the colleagues that I’ve learned from, and I want to bring this resulting style to the parents I work with, because I know it works.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would have to do at least one full day in Oceanside, where I’m from. Get some fish and chips at the harbor and have a beach day, stop by the sunset market (if it’s a Thursday), and end the night at the space-themed speakeasy, The Space Pad.

Another day would be in San Diego. First I’d stop by The Balboa Bar and Grill for a burger, and then head to Liberty Station, where I like to roller skate. I’d end the night at Finest City Improv where I used to take classes 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout Michelle Hardy (who introduced me) and everyone I worked with during my time at Cortica. The years spent there were the most formative in my career thus far. I continue to get endless support from them in all of my endeavors, and I’m so grateful. I’d also like to thank all of the parents and children that I’ve worked with over the years who have given me words of encouragement when I felt imposter syndrome creeping in.

Website: https://www.otuntangled.com

Instagram: @ot.untangled

Facebook: OT Untangled