Therapy in the Great Outdoors: The Business & Practice of Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy

Hello, friends! Welcome to the final episode of our series on money and pricing. Today, I’m sharing three easy strategies to help you raise your prices so you can make more with the same amount of effort and work!

          Offer installment payments. If your service costs $1,000, break it into smaller payments to make it more manageable for clients.

          Add upsells. Offer additional services that enhance your primary offering. For instance, if you offer therapy visits, an optional monthly parent consultation call could be a valuable upsell that increases your revenue per client.

          Use package pricing. This involves bundling services into a flat monthly rate, which helps clients understand the value they’re receiving and gives you more control over your time. Many of my coaching clients have successfully transitioned to this model, allowing them to work smarter, not harder.

Connect with me on Instagram @lauraparkfig or visit therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com for more updates!

00:00 Introduction to Therapy in the Great Outdoors  

01:00 Series Finale: Money and Pricing  

01:09 Three Easy Ways to Raise Your Prices  

01:51 First Strategy: Offer Installment Payments  

03:22 Second Strategy: Add Upsells  

04:05 Third Strategy: Package Pricing  

07:39 Recap and Final Thoughts  

08:44 Upcoming Episode Preview  

09:00 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Welcome back to our series on money and pricing! Today, we’ll dive into the psychology of pricing—a topic that fascinates me!

Key Takeaways from this episode:

Understanding Pricing Psychology:

Pricing psychology is about presenting your prices in a way that’s most appealing to potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them purchasing your services. For instance, have you ever noticed prices often end in .99 instead of rounding up to a whole number, like $2.00? This is because our brains anchor to the leftmost digit; $1.99 feels much cheaper than $2.00. NOTE: this isn’t about "tricking" customers, but is simply understanding how the human brain perceives prices so you can present your prices in a way that is most psychologically pleasing to a potential customer. (Check out Nick Kolenda's website at Kolenda.io for extensive resources on pricing psychology.)

Payment Timing Matters:

It can be psychologically easier for clients if they don’t pay at the time of service. Think about structuring your payment systems so clients pay upfront or at a different time than their service. By doing this, you can ease the sense of loss associated with paying, allowing clients to focus on the value they are receiving at the time of your service.

Combatting Buyer’s Remorse:

After a client commits financially, it’s vital to reassure them that they made the right decision. This can be as simple as sending a follow-up email filled with valuable information that excites them about the upcoming service. In my nature-based practice, we send a welcome packet shortly after families sign up their child for services. This welcome packet includes essential details about what to expect and introduces their therapist, helping clients perceive value from our upcoming services and feel good about their investment right from the start.

TL;DR:

Check out Kolenda.io for more on marketing and pricing psychology, consider structuring your payment processes to ease the psychological burden on clients, and always aim to reassure and provide value immediately after clients pay for services.

Connect with me on Instagram @lauraparkfig or visit therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com for more resources!

Are you charging enough for your services? In this week's podcast, I'm sharing the mindset shift you need to confidently raise your prices.

You need to move away from the traditional per-hour thinking that often limits our earning potential.

Instead, focus on the true value you're providing to your clients and the expertise you bring to the table.

Then, communicate that value clearly and get comfortable discussing money with potential clients.

Whether you're just starting out or have been in business for a while, this episode provides valuable tips to help you embrace your worth and take those necessary steps toward raising your rates.

Repeat after me: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MAKING MONEY WHILE HELPING PEOPLE!!!!!

My nature-based business coaching program, the Business Hive, will open in January. If you're ready to set your nature-based business up for success, join us in the Hive, where we’ll focus on creating systems that allow you to work less and make more while your business grows.

https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/hive

Connect with me on Instagram @lauraparkfig or visit therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com for more resources and to stay updated!

00:00 Introduction to Therapy in the Great Outdoors

00:59 Excitement for Upcoming Retreat and Travel Plans

02:46 Mini-Series on Business Topics

07:43 Mindset Shift for Raising Prices

08:45 Practical Tips for Pricing and Value

15:10 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, we kick off a mini-series on pricing your nature-based therapy services.

Key Takeaways from this episode:

  Stay tuned for more episodes in this series on pricing, and consider joining my Business Hive group coaching program, opening for enrollment in January, to help you build a successful nature-based practice! You can join the waitlist at https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/hive   00:00 Introduction and Series Announcement 00:52 My Upcoming Trip to Nepal and Indonesia 02:18 Gratitude and Life Reflections 04:35 Introduction to Pricing Your Services 05:46 Setting Initial Prices for Your Services 07:02 Understanding the Value of Pricing 07:24 The Importance of Silence After Stating Your Price 07:48 Handling Objections and Offering Scholarships 08:47 Investing in Yourself and Your Business 09:59 Researching Funding Options 11:07 Adjusting Prices Based on Cost of Living 12:27 Adding Value Through Additional Services 13:50 Final Thoughts on Pricing and Valuing Your Services

In this episode, we dive into how to make your first $1,000 as a nature-based pediatric therapist. I share actionable strategies and business insights to help you hit this milestone, from focusing on one key service to pricing your offerings effectively. Whether you’re offering outdoor enrichment groups, creating multi-month therapy packages, or thinking outside the box with retainer fees, there’s a method that fits your style and your market.

I also introduce my Business Hive group coaching program for nature-based practitioners, which opens for enrollment in January. Join me for a deep dive into business success and get ready to start building meaningful income in your practice!

00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy

01:00 Making Your First $1,000 as a Nature-Based Therapist

02:13 Business Coaching and Community Support

04:28 Key Advice for Starting Your Practice

05:24 Market Research and Pricing Strategies 06:04 Low-Cost Offer for Group Sessions

07:03 Multi-Month Therapy Packages

08:06 High Monthly Retainer Fee

08:54 Upcoming Episode on Pricing Services

09:29 Enrollment for Business Hive Program

09:58 Free Big Huge List of Nature-Based Activities

Katie Asmus is a licensed psychotherapist with three decades of experience in therapeutic nature-based interventions. She joined me today on the TGO podcast to discuss the essential role of rituals and ceremonies in nature-based therapy, particularly for neurodivergent children. Tune in to hear ways you can help ease transitions, address challenging behaviors, and open and close your group sessions using meaningful rituals to give children a positive experience in your nature-based therapy sessions.  

Connect with Katie on IG @somaticnaturetherapy or her website https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/

00:00 Introduction

01:29 Meet Katie Asmus

01:45 Understanding Rituals and Ceremonies in Therapy

01:57 The Importance of Rituals for Neurodivergent Kids

02:39 Practical Rituals for Therapy Sessions

06:25 Beginning Rituals: Setting the Tone for Therapy

08:28 Engaging Group Activities to Start Sessions

19:23 Closing Rituals: Ending Sessions with Purpose

27:16 Handling Challenging Behaviors with Rituals

31:02 Final Thoughts and Resources

32:03 Bonus: Free Nature-Based Therapy Activities

This week I'm sharing some of my favorite fall activities for outdoor therapy sessions with kids. Check out the activities below and you can do them, too!

Rainbow leaf hunt - arrival activity Leaf confetti with hole punchers or shape punchers (from scrapbooking supplies)

Leaf sewing with yarn and needles

Find the color - match to cut out on cardboard with picture of something to match the color (red heart, orange sun, yellow banana, green frog, blue water, purple flower, brown tree trunk)

What are your favorite activities for therapy sessions in the fall? Weigh in in the Therapy in the Great Outdoors Community here.

https://tgo.circle.so/home

(P.S. If you're down under, here's the listener-feature episode where we shared favorite SUMMER activities.)

https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/podcasts/therapy-in-the-great-outdoors/episodes/2148704557

00:00 Introduction to Therapy in the Great Outdoors

01:00 Fun Fall Activities for Nature-Based Therapy

02:03 Rainbow Leaf Hunt

02:50 Leaf Confetti Party

05:23 Leaf Sewing Craft

06:18 Color Matching Scavenger Hunt

09:09 Join the Therapy in the Great Outdoors Community

10:39 Get Your Free Big Huge List of Nature-Based Activities

In this episode we discuss the often chaotic and challenging first day of a new nature-based therapy group for kids. Everything from clear drop-off procedures and engaging children with meaningful tasks to preparing for social anxiety and ensuring smooth transitions. I also talk about my Nature-Based Therapy Certification and Mentoring Program, designed to support practitioners in building successful, nature-based practices. Join me as I provide actionable tips to make your first day and beyond a success.

01:00 The Reality of the First Day in Nature-Based Therapy

01:34 Challenges and Reflections from a Chaotic First Day

02:34 Strategies for a Smooth First Day

08:05 Effective Drop-Off Procedures

13:20 Connecting with Children on the First Day

19:40 Handling Social Anxiety and Transition Issues

22:10 Conclusion and Support for Nature-Based Therapy Practitioners

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