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

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

This week's podcast episode is part 2 of the "audio book" version of my published research on nature-based pediatric occupational therapy. You'll hear the results of the study, which found 6 phases that work together as mechanisms of change in the nature-based ⁠pediatric occupational therapy process: 🏠 Longing for Freedom⁠ ☀️ Embarking on Adventure⁠ 🦅 Dancing with Nature⁠ 🙌 Claiming Self-Agency⁠ ⚡️ Braving Real-Life Challenges⁠ 🌱 Growing Adaptive Capacity⁠ Next week will be the 3rd (and final) part of the "audiobook" version of the article, where I'll share the discussion section to give you some takeaways for application to your nature-based pediatric practice. 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

My dissertation research article is finally published! This episode is part 1 of the "audio book" version of the article. You'll hear the abstract, introduction, methods, and the first part of the results, plus a little of my commentary along the way. In the first part of the results, I describe the actors and each actor's main role in the pediatric nature-based occupational therapy process. The actors in the nature-based pediatric OT process are:

Nature as the Continual Context and Blameless Co-Therapist

Child as the Motivated Adventurer

Practitioner as the Attuned Analyzer and Modulator

Caregivers as the Contributing Beneficiaries

Next week on the podcast I'll share the 6 phases of the nature-based OT process and in subsequent episodes I will share the discussion (I'm not sure right now if the discussion section will be one episode or several since there is a LOT to discuss from this 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

It feels like everyone is talking about imposter syndrome these days. And I've seen it rear its ugly head in my own career as a nature-based therapist.

If you're not familiar with imposter syndrome, it is that feeling of "I don't know what I'm doing" that pops up inside your mind, even when there is AMPLE evidence to the contrary. (That EVIDENCE part is key. Feeling like an imposter when you are a novice at anything is normal! We need to maybe coin a new term "novice syndrome" to acknowledge that being a novice is different than being an imposter.)

In this episode, I share from the heart about feeling like an imposter as a nature-based therapist. You'll hear a few real-life examples from my own life, and some takeaways to help you if you struggle with imposter syndrome in the realm of nature-based therapy.

One of the key messages in this episode is that you can be a nature-based therapist, just as you are. You don't have to garden. Or love animals. Or brave icy cold weather. Or be a naturalist. Or climb mountains. You can do nature-based therapy in your own way and you're still a legit nature-based therapist.

xoxo

Laura

P.S. My article sharing my dissertation research is finally going to be published. I will share free copies when it's available.

P.P.S. The Nature-Based Business Retreat is happening Nov. 7-10, 2024 in Santa Cruz, CA. Register here: https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/retreat

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

1. Make giant bubble wands for giant bubbles.
2. Make toy boats using recyclables. I recommend corks, rubber bands, large paper clips, sturdy toothpicks, popsicle sticks, duct tape, and small plastic containers. Bring stickers or sharpie markers to allow the children to decorate their creations. (Can pair with the book Toy Boat, too.)
3. Make a mud kitchen using kitchen supplies from thrift stores. Play the Great Nature Baking Show game.
4. Balloon ball volleyball game
5. Make ice cream in the ice cream ball

What are your favorite activities for therapy sessions in the summer? Weigh in in the Therapy in the Great Outdoors Community here. (P.S. If you're down under, here's the listener-feature episode where we shared favorite WINTER activities.)

It's my 48th birthday today! So I want to give you a present as a thank you for being a listener of the podcast or a member of the TGO Community. I'm giving away a free copy of my book: Therapy in the Great Outdoors- A Start-Up Guide to Nature-Based Pediatric Practice with 44 Kid-Tested Activities. I'll throw some Therapy in the Great Outdoors stickers in there, too!

All you have to do to enter is leave a review for the TGO podcast, screenshot it, and share it on Instagram. Don't forget to tag me @lauraparkfig so I can put your name in the drawing to win the book! If you're not on Instagram OR if you have ALREADY left a review for the podcast (thank you!), you can enter by leaving a review for Therapy in the Great Outdoors on Google here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Therapy+in+the+Great+Outdoors/@14.1576412,-149.1384369,3z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4a2341b4ba5fa709:0x5cb6536199ef896!8m2!3d14.1576412!4d-149.138437!16s%2Fg%2F11stb6yb0m?entry=ttu

Make sure to send me a DM on Instagram or in the TGO Community after you leave your Google review so that I can put your name in the drawing! I will draw the winner live on Instagram and in the TGO Community on Wednesday June 26.

Also, I want to invite you to come work-cation with me! I'm hosting a nature-based business retreat from November 7-10 in Santa Cruz CA. We have 16 spots left. I'm selecting some really great mentors to help me facilitate this time together. You know how you always wish you had time to step away without distractions and take a 10,000 foot view of your business, so that you can plan and make wise decisions? That's what this retreat is for! You will intentionally set your 2025 annual plan in place so that next year will be your best one yet in your nature-based practice. I hope to see you there. You can register for the retreat here by August 1: https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/retreat

xoxo

Laura

In this episode, I'm sharing a template we developed in my practice for sending a monthly newsletter to families. This helps you share free and helpful information with your potential clients, and communicate the unique value of the therapy services you provide. Tune in to hear real examples of things I've sent in our newsletter and the 3-topic template that we use to come up with simple ideas to share with families each month.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:21 Importance of Email Lists in Nature-Based Therapy

01:11 Newsletter Template Overview

03:19 Creating Engaging and Effective Newsletters

04:58 Tip of the Month

08:07 Resource of the Month

10:06 Story and Service Updates

14:53 Conclusion and Contact Information

Resources from this episode:

Flodesk affiliate link to get 50% off your first year of Flodesk (it is the BEST email service provider, hands down. Easiest to use and a beautiful user interface to make emailing your people EASY and FUN.) https://flodesk.com/c/Y63MIS

My previous episodes on email marketing:

TGO Podcast - Email Marketing for Your Nature-Based Practice https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/podcasts/therapy-in-the-great-outdoors/episodes/2147735255

Mind Your OT Business episode- Why You MUST Have an Email List to Grow Your Practice: https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/podcasts/mind-your-ot-business/episodes/2147505784

Ever heard of a "living book"? In this episode, you'll learn how to select and use living books for planning nature-based therapy sessions. I give a brief introduction to Charlotte Mason educational philosophy, which emphasizes the use of living books. Living books are characterized by rich ideas, engaging stories, and timeless truths. They foster creativity and enhance therapy sessions without preaching at children. You'll learn practical tips for selecting and using living books to inspire therapy activities for your nature-based sessions.

00:00 Introduction to Therapy in the Great Outdoors

01:00 Episode 68: Planning Nature-Based Therapy Sessions

02:06 The Concept of Living Books 03:29 Charlotte Mason's Educational Philosophy

08:10 Using Living Books in Therapy

18:38 Practical Examples and Resources

24:57 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

26:35 Bonus: Free Resources for Nature-Based Therapy

Resources mentioned in this episode: What a Living Book Sounds Like - Simply Charlotte Mason podcast Falling Upwards by Richard Rohr

Get a free book list from Laura to help you get started using living books in your nature-based therapy practice at https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/books