By Dr. Laura Park Figueroa
The podcast currently has 84 episodes available.
In this episode, you'll hear about the journey of launching and evolving the ConTiGO Approach™ and how you can become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist™ or Therapist Assistant. You'll hear why we're making some changes to the certification process to build a stronger ConTiGO community and support practitioners' developing true expertise in nature-based therapy. Enrollment is now open for you to Become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist or Therapist Assistant in the ConTiGO Approach! Enroll here 00:00 Introduction to Becoming a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist 00:31 The History of the Contigo Approach 01:37 Transition to Online and Cohort-Based Model 03:53 Challenges and Changes in Enrollment Models 06:29 New Certification Requirements and Community Building 12:12 Experiential Learning and Accountability 14:15 Personal Reflections and Community Engagement 19:22 Conclusion and Enrollment Information
Should you offer groups or individual services in your nature-based therapy practice? It depends! In this episode, you'll learn how to make this decision wisely. I discuss the goals, logistics, and challenges of both service models. You'll learn the importance of clear policies, the role of parents in therapy, and when to choose one model over the other.
Enrollment will open on September 23 for you to Become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist or Therapist Assistant in the ConTiGO Approach. Join the waitlist here. 00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy
01:01 Group vs. Individual Therapy: Key Considerations
02:06 The Benefits and Challenges of Group Therapy
10:43 Essential Policies for Group Therapy
13:49 Individual Therapy: Goals and Best Practices
18:45 The Importance of Parent Involvement
23:49 Conclusion and Upcoming Certification Program
In this episode, you'll learn all about treatment planning for nature-based pediatric therapy sessions using the ConTiGO Approach™. I delve into four key elements: incorporating child passions, introducing novelty, ensuring activities are child-led and open-ended, and considering sustainability.
You'll also learn about recent changes to ConTiGO and how you can become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist™ (or Therapist Assistant). Enrollment will open on September 23 for you to Become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist or Therapist Assistant in the ConTiGO Approach. Join the waitlist here:
https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/contigo-evergreen
00:00 Introduction to Therapy in the Great Outdoors
00:58 Personal Update: A Difficult Time
08:49 The ConTiGO Approach: An Overview
11:48 Elements of the ConTiGO Approach
26:30 Upcoming Changes and Certification
30:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode, occupational therapist Brigette Hill, OTR/L joins us to discuss her innovative curriculum designed for teaching pre-writing shapes to pre-k children using nature-based activities. Brigette is the founder of Roly Poly Movement, an online business that develops nature-based curriculum and programs for children. Check out rolypolymovement.com and use code GREAT20 for 20% off of her nature-based pre-writing shapes program, Tree Rings and Other Things.
00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy
00:58 Guest Introduction: Brigette Hill and Her Innovative Curriculum
02:57 Exploring Pre-Writing Shapes Through Nature-Based Activities
05:44 Incorporating Movement and Music into Learning
11:10 Launching a Product: Insights and Challenges
20:40 Advice for Aspiring Creators and Business Owners
26:52 Special Offer and Conclusion
27:15 Bonus: Free Resource for Nature-Based Therapy Activities
In this episode, we explore the concept of evidence-based practice in nature-based pediatric therapy. Evidence-based practice (EBP) can be broken down into three components: research analysis and application, clinical reasoning, and reflective practice. You'll learn how EBP is more than just understanding various types of research, and understand how clinical reasoning evolves through experience, reflective practice, and community interaction.
Resources shared in this episode:
Mattingly, C. (1991). What is clinical reasoning? The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45(11), 979–986. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.45.11.979
Research hub: Evidence based practice toolkit: Levels of evidence. (n.d.). https://libguides.winona.edu/ebptoolkit/Levels-Evidence
Schön, D. A. (1984). The reflective practitioner. Routledge.
00:00 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
00:56 Understanding Research Analysis and Application
01:28 Levels of Evidence in Research
03:11 The Value of Qualitative Research
10:09 Clinical Reasoning in Therapy
17:14 Reflective Practice for Therapists
20:04 Conclusion and Community Invitation
Wilderness Mental Health First Aid with Nicole Roma Thurrell
In this episode, Nicole Roma Thurrell is back with valuable insights on wilderness mental health first aid. We discussed the importance of body awareness in regulating nervous system responses and strategies for helping children manage different states of activation during outdoor sessions. The episode emphasizes rhythmic, repetitive, and relational activities, with practical suggestions like breathing exercises, grinding coffee beans, and finger knitting. Tune in to hear all her great tips for helping the children you serve be better able to cope with the ebbs and flows of human emotions in daily life. Make sure to visit Institute for Wild Med and get 20% any of their courses with the discount code TGO20 exclusively for our TGO podcast listeners!
00:00 Introduction and Personal Update
00:15 Exciting Upcoming Trip
00:27 Challenges of the Week
01:21 Introduction to the Episode
01:41 Guest Introduction: Nicole Roma Thurl
03:02 Mental Health First Aid Conference
04:37 Increasing Anxiety in Children
06:41 Understanding Wilderness Mental Health First Aid
15:16 The Autonomic Nervous System
23:59 Combining States for Resilience
31:34 Understanding the Dorsal Vagus and Safety Perception
32:32 Body Before Brain: Effective Interventions
35:21 Rhythmic, Repetitive, and Relational Strategies
37:44 Breathing Techniques for Regulation
48:51 High Energy Activities: The Yellow Bucket
50:55 Low Energy Activities: The Red Bucket
54:47 Creating a Safe and Aesthetic Environment
58:48 Conclusion and Practical Takeaways
In episode 78 of Therapy in the Great Outdoors, Nicole Roma Thurrell, WEMT, CTRS is back for the 2nd in our 3-part series on first aid for nature-based therapists. Nicole shares valuable personal anecdotes and real-life examples, highlighting the importance of comprehensive first aid training, especially in dynamic outdoor environments.
You'll learn the "big 3" of assessing life-threatening situations: Breathing, Bleeding, & Shock. You’ll also learn about practical tools like EpiPens and hemostatic agents, and get tips on maintaining their effectiveness despite environmental challenges. Join us to equip yourself with the knowledge to keep your outdoor therapy sessions safe and enriching for the children you serve.
00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy
01:00 First Aid Series Overview
02:07 Critical First Aid Skills for Therapists
03:03 Personal Anecdotes and Real-Life Examples
04:57 Principles of First Aid Assessment
08:23 Recognizing and Managing Shock
15:21 Bleeding Control Techniques
20:37 Understanding Blood Thinning Medications
21:11 Importance of First Aid Training
21:47 Choosing the Right First Aid Class
22:57 Handling Anaphylactic Shock
24:59 Obtaining and Using EpiPens
32:22 Critical First Aid Essentials
33:41 WildMed Training Courses and Discounts
37:25 Conclusion and Free Research List
For more information, visit Institute for Wild Med and get 20% any of their courses with the discount code TGO20 exclusively for our TGO podcast listeners!
In this episode of Therapy in the Great Outdoors, we kick off a three-part series on first aid essentials for nature-based pediatric therapists.
Joined by Nicole Roma Thurrell, CEO of Institute for WildMed, we delve into the importance of risky play and the benefits it provides, such as building confidence, emotional resilience, and creativity in children. We explore the differences between risks and hazards, offer guidance on managing these elements in therapeutic settings, and emphasize the significance of having a solid foundation in first aid to create a safe and effective therapeutic environment.
Nicole also discusses her extensive experience and upcoming contributions to the series, promising invaluable insights into critical first aid skills and mental health first aid in outdoor settings. Stay tuned for the next episode focusing on must-know first aid skills for nature-based therapists.
00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy
01:00 Series Overview: First Aid in Nature-Based Therapy
04:44 Guest Introduction: Nicole Roma Thurrell
09:41 The Importance of Risky Play
\21:58 The Benefits of Outdoor Therapy
22:09 Nature's Challenges and Ethical Considerations
23:46 Authenticity in Nature-Based Therapy
24:59 Understanding Risk vs. Hazard
27:02 Role Modeling and Safety Awareness
29:35 Learning Through Failure
30:04 Guidelines for Risky Play
32:10 The Messiness of Nature-Based Therapy
33:07 Encouraging Community and Training
34:58 Equity in Therapy
37:10 Therapist's Energy and Its Impact
39:04 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics
Check out Nicole's work at the Institute for Wild Med and get 20% off their classes with the coupon code TGO20.
Today, I’m opening up about the honest, vulnerable moments in my business journey to help you navigate your nature-based business. In this episode, I share the lessons I’ve learned from both major setbacks and ongoing challenges. We’ll discuss how all businesses are messy behind the scenes, regardless of how they appear on social media. I dive into the details of a significant fail-learn experience related to a live event that resulted in a $20k loss, and reflect on an in-person retreat planned for November that hasn’t gone as expected. You’ll learn: 1. All businesses are messy behind the scenes. 2. Embracing honesty about failures is the only way forward. 3. You must analyze your target market size before launching an event or service. 4. It is wise to evaluate what you want to be known for when making business pivots. 5. A key to success is valuing your current and previous clients by honoring their investments. 6. Don’t be afraid to do what you love most in your business. You can learn more about the nature-based business retreat at https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/retreat. Thank you for joining me in this heart-to-heart. See you next week! Bye. Timestamp outline of the episode: 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode 02:03 The Messiness of Entrepreneurship 03:31 Sharing Personal Business Failures 04:50 The Big Event Failure 06:29 Planning the Nature-Based Business Retreat 09:47 Lessons Learned from Low Enrollment 14:25 Pivoting the Retreat Focus 25:20 Valuing Current and Previous Clients 32:43 Final Reflections and Future Plans 36:14 Upcoming Episodes Preview
This week's podcast episode is the final part 3 of the "audio book" version of my published research on nature-based pediatric occupational therapy. You'll hear the explanation of the design of the model, plus the discussion section, the limitations of this research, and recommendations for future research.
You can get your FREE copy of the article here: https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/model
Here's the APA 7 citation:
Figueroa, L. P., Poskey, G. A., Rose, K. K., & Pickens, N. D. (2024). Mechanisms of change in nature-based pediatric occupational therapy: The ecology of change in outdoor therapy model. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2024.2372739
The podcast currently has 84 episodes available.