- Kevin Spencer, PhD
Founder, Spencer Institute
Introduction
A note from Dr. Spencer
For more than two decades, I've worked at an unusual intersection — performing arts, academic medicine, and special education — to develop therapeutic and educational frameworks that take human wonder seriously.
What began on theatrical stages became, over time, peer-reviewed clinical practice. Magic Therapy® and Hocus Focus™ are now used by occupational therapists, educators, and clinicians around the world.
"Evidence and wonder are not opposites."
Explore Our Courses
Research-backed education and therapeutic training designed for real-world impact — built by practitioners, for practitioners.
No courses available at the moment.
Upcoming Courses
Continuing Education Course
The Shared Vocabulary of Healing.
Continuing Education Course
The Therapeutic Use of Magic Tricks in a Clinical Setting.
Professional Development
Teach Like A Magician, based on the book published by Routledge.
The Research
The frameworks behind our work
Spencer Institute's courses are grounded in two clinical frameworks developed and refined over more than two decades of research and practice:
Magic Therapy®
A peer-reviewed, AOTA-approved therapeutic framework using the structured practice of magic to address motor skills, cognition, social engagement, and emotional regulation in clinical and educational settings.
- Clinical & educational settings
- Motor & cognitive skills
- Social engagement
Hocus Focus™
An evidence-based educational curriculum that uses magic-based learning to develop attention, problem-solving, communication, and confidence in students with diverse learning needs.
- Attention & focus
- Problem-solving
- Diverse learning needs
Peer-Reviewed Research
Every framework has been published in indexed academic journals and reviewed by clinical experts.
Real-World Application
Continuing-education credits accepted by APA, AOTA, and ASHA in 40+ countries.
Therapeutic Innovation
1:1 sessions with senior faculty for case work, supervision, and ethics review.
Professional Certification
Professional Certification Earn certificates of completion. AOTA-approved continuing education for clinicians.
About Dr. Kevin Spencer
Kevin Spencer, PhD, is an educator, researcher, and author working at the intersection of performing arts, academic medicine, and special education. He has collaborated with Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s Hospital, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Health Professions are Arts In Medicine program, and is listed with the U.S. Department of State’s Speakers Program for cultural exchange programs.
His research has been published in indexed clinical journals including Pediatrics, the Journal of Hand Therapy, and the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. His most recent book, Teach Like a Magician (Routledge, Eye On Education), draws on more than two decades of work with educators worldwide. A second book, Using Magic in Occupational Therapy, is forthcoming in 2026.
Before turning toward research and clinical practice, Kevin had a career as an internationally touring theatrical illusionist — work that earned him recognition as International Magician of the Year in both 2009 and 2015. That experience continues to shape his conviction that wonder belongs in serious work.
Routledge · Eye On Education (2025)
Teach Like a Magician
Routledge, Eye On Education (2025). Practical strategies drawn from theatrical performance for educators who want to engage students more deeply.
Productivity
Using Magic in Occupational Therapy
Forthcoming, August 2026. A comprehensive scholarly treatment of magic-based therapeutic interventions for OT clinicians and students.
Growth
The Fantastic Four Magic Club
A children's book that reached #1 in its Amazon category — an introduction to wonder for young readers.
"Magic Therapy® gave me a structured way to engage clients who had never responded to traditional sessions. The clinical outcomes have been remarkable."
Leslie Alexander Freelance React Developer
"Hocus Focus™ transformed my classroom. Students who struggled with attention found themselves leaning in — and asking for more."
Jacob Jones Digital Marketer
"As a parent, this gave me language and tools I didn't know I needed. Practical, kind, and rooted in real evidence."
Jenny Wilson Graphic Designer
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