About Us
“Occupational Therapy is where science, creativity, and compassion collide.”
– Jessica Kensky (Boston Marathon survivor)
Empower Occupational Therapy
Empower Occupational Therapy was founded by Regina Budet with the goal of empowering people experiencing low vision. We strive to equip our clients with skills and resources to become more independent in their homes and maintain community connections. We educate clients and family members on strategies that will allow them to compensate for their vision loss and continue doing the things that are important to them.
Empower Occupational Therapy is fully mobile and services a 30-mile radius around the NorthWest Austin area. We believe that working with clients in their home environment is the best method to address the unique needs of each individual. While our primary focus is the low-vision population, we also provide general occupational therapy services on a case-by-case basis.
We appreciate your interest and hope to work with you soon!
Meet Regina Budet
Regina Budet is that person who immediately feels familiar. That’s what sets her above the rest. Putting patients at ease helps to facilitate conversations in order to best guide them. She enjoys collaborating with her patients to develop a customized and holistic treatment plan that promotes functional independence and life satisfaction. Asking difficult and, sometimes, uncomfortable questions are made easier with Regina’s open dialogue and warm reception.
Regina received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University, and has been practicing Occupational Therapy since 2011. While experiencing a variety of different practice settings, Regina discovered her passion for low vision rehabilitation while working in a neuro-based inpatient rehab facility. This experience spurred the drive for more education specific to low vision occupational therapy.
2015 – Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
2018 – Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (Texas Women’s University)
2020 – Specialty Certification in Low Vision (American O.T. Association) *
2022 – Executive Certificate Program in Home Modification (USC)
With passion for connecting and serving with the low vision community, Regina is a strong proponent of educating future practitioners to recognize the unique needs of clients affected by vision loss and the importance of addressing the whole person in their plan of care. She routinely presents at conferences and conducts student lectures to help meet this need.
In her spare time, Regina enjoys being active with her family and friends. This includes attending her children’s extracurricular activities, immersing herself in the therapeutic qualities of nature, taste testing her husband’s delicious culinary creations, exploring new restaurants and reliving her school “glory days” playing volleyball.
* This is the only low vision specialty certification unique to Occupational Therapy.
Associations and Memberships
- Foundation for Fighting Blindness; Chapter Resource Chair
- Half Helen; Board Member
- Austin Council of the Blind, Member
- Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA); Member
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA); Member