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

Today we're discussing using KNIVES in nature-based therapy sessions!

You'll learn:

• Age-ranges for starting knife use in therapy sessions.

• Types of wood that work well for whittling

• My go-to simple treatment activity to start teaching whittling to children

• The exact type and brand of knife to get and why

• 3 things you must teach children when introducing knives in nature-based therapy sessions

• The safest positioning and carving technique for beginning whittling with children If you have questions or comments about whittling with children, share them in the Therapy in the Great Outdoors Community and let's discuss!

P.S. ConTiGO enrollment will open Nov. 1-7, 2023!

ConTiGO (Connection & Transformation in the Great Outdoors) is a comprehensive program to help you start your nature-based therapy work with children. In ConTiGO, you'll learn the how-to's of nature-based practice based on evidence, plus get time-saving done-for-you resources AND ongoing mentoring for support as you grow your nature-based work with children. You can check out everything included at www.contigoapproach.com

I only open enrollment to people who are on the waitlist. Join the waitlist at www.contigoapproach.com to get the link to enroll during the last enrollment period for 2023: November 1-7, 2023.

In this episode, I answer a listener's question about goal writing in nature-based practice. You'll learn:

📝 The standardized format my nature-based practice uses for writing specific goals.

✅ The 4 step goal-writing process we use with families to ensure we're getting them the outcomes they want for their children as a result of our services.

💵 How different payor sources may impact your goal writing.

📖 Want help as you start or grow your nature-based practice? Get my free e-book: The Nature-Based Practice Roadmap. It is a guide to help you focus and avoid costly mistakes as you start or grow your outdoor work with children. In it, I share the four stages of nature-based practice, plus a checklist of specific action steps for you to take at each stage in the process. Get it at therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/roadmap

This week's TGO Podcast is an honest share of my attempt to implement an evidence-based method directly within a nature-based therapy session. The CO-OP approach is a simple system for helping children to achieve their own goals, and it strongly aligns with the philosophy of my nature-based therapy framework, the ConTiGO (Connection & Transformation in the Great Outdoors) Approach. In this episode, I share a real-life story from my practice last week. I think you'll have a few key takeaways that you can do TODAY in any practice setting with children.

2:00 Background - why I'm sharing this real-life story to help you in your nature-based practice.

3:15 What the CO-OP approach is and how it is an evidence-based method aligned with the ConTiGO (Connection & Transformation in the Great Outdoors) Approach to nature-based therapy

6:30 Having children set their own goals

7:45 A real-life story of how I applied CO-OP in a session today

11:30 How we often rob children of the opportunity to problem-solve

12:20 Letting children come to solutions on their own

14:45 Reflection questions used in the ConTiGO Approach (Connection & Transformation in the Great Outdoors)

Resources to learn more about Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP):

https://icancoop.myshopify.com/pages/the-co-op-approach

OT Potential podcast episodes on CO-OP:

https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-coop-celebral-palsy

https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/coop-and-occupational-therapy

🏄🏽‍♀️ Naomi Matanick, OTR/L started a nature-based therapy practice utilizing SURFING as her therapeutic modality! 🌊

Tune in to learn:

00:01:57 How Naomi discovered surf therapy.

00:06:43 The challenges Naomi encountered early on in her practice.

00:11:22 How her first surf therapy session taught her valuable lessons.

00:13:08 Nature-based therapy practice requires business know-how

00:17:55 How Naomi made changes after her first session

00:19:10 Invoicing and billing for surf therapy sessions as an OT

00:20:23 Leading with your professional licensure; keeping the lens of your profession when treating outdoors ("nature-based therapy" is not a licensed profession)

00:22:24 Goal writing for surf therapy

00:23:53 Determining if a child is a good fit for surf therapy sessions

00:25:42 How Naomi supports children's autonomy in sessions

00:26:09 Naomi's intake process

00:27:40 Logistics of growing the business

00:34:38 What Naomi charges per session

00:36:43 Using an EMR and when you might need one (versus using Google for notes)

00:38:54 What she plans to do during colder winter months

Connect with Naomi on Instagram @hang_ten_therapeutics or her website https://www.hang-tentherapeutics.com/

Want advice as you start or grow your nature-based pediatric practice? Get Laura Park Figueroa's free e-book The Nature-Based Practice Roadmap. You'll learn the 4 stages of nature-based practice, what to focus on (and mistakes to avoid!) in each stage, and get a checklist of specific action steps to take at each stage of the process. Go to therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/roadmap

In this episode, I share the findings from my PhD research and introduce the Ecology of Change in Outdoor Therapy (ECO-Therapy) Model developed from my research. The ECO-Therapy Model is a grounded theory to explain the mechanisms of change at work in the nature-based therapy process with children. The model was developed in the field of occupational therapy but may inform any pediatric therapist's work with children outdoors in nature. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you listen!

It may be helpful to SEE a picture of the model while you listen to this episode. I describe a bit of what it looks like but a picture says a thousand words. You can find the image pinned at the top of my Instagram profile @lauraparkfig and it is also the thumbnail for this episode. (You may have to zoom in to see the details...)

Here's what you'll learn:

00:01:27 The funny story about how I decided to share the model on this podcast episode.

00:02:42 Background of my research; what grounded theory is.

00:06:11 Why I named it The Ecology of Change in Outdoor Therapy (ECO-Therapy Model)

00:08:42 Names of the actors in the nature-based therapy process: Nature as the Continual Context and Blameless Co-Therapist; Child as the Motivated Adventurer; Therapist as the Attuned Analyzer and Modulator; Caregivers as the Contributing Beneficiaries

00:12:42 Six iterative phases in the nature-based therapy process: Longing for Freedom, Embarking on Adventure, Dancing with Nature, Claiming Self-Agency, Braving Real-Life Challenges, & Growing Adaptive Capacity.

00:29:09 The concept of hormesis and the hormetic effect of real-life challenges in nature

00:30:54 Real-life challenge compared to just-right challenge

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts after listening to this episode. There is a lot more I could share from my research (there were 3 research questions and lots of data other than what I shared here)...so if this is interesting to you, please let me know! You can share your thoughts inside the Therapy in the Great Outdoors Community here. I always want these episodes to support your work with children to help you grow a thriving nature-based practice! xoxo Laura

In today's episode, I'm sharing the "fail-learns" and wins from my first year inside the Business Hive. In addition to my reflections on how the program went, I offer you takeaways that you can apply to your nature-based practice.

I'm sharing about how I learned to hold people accountable, to charge what I'm worth, why I think longer programs are the way to go, and so much more. I'm so excited to celebrate the end of this first year with the program members and also kickstart the new cohort in August. It's been a valuable experience for both me and everyone in the program and I can't wait to see where it takes us in the future.

Enrollment for the Business Hive is open now through July 28th, 2023 at 12:00PM CST. If you're a nature-based therapist and business owner, send in your application ASAP. You won't want to miss out on this incredible yearlong program.

We'll discuss:

• [00:00] The Business Hive is open for enrollment right now until July 28th, 2023. Join us!
• [03:39] My "fail-learns" from the first year of the Business Hive, including holding people accountable, ending on a high note, charging what you're worth, etc.
• [13:04] The wins from Business Hive year one, including holding longer programs, using technology that will make your life easier, creating helpful resources for your community, and more
• [18:53] An exciting addition to the Business Hive this year

Resources from this episode:

• Join the Business Hive

🌎 Join the Therapy in the Great Outdoors (TGO) Community to get free support as a nature-based pediatric therapist.

🥾 Download my free guide The Nature-Based Practice ROADMAP to help you start or grow your nature-based pediatric therapy practice.

🌈 Join the waitlist for the ConTiGO Approach Online Course if you want to be an expert in nature-based pediatric therapy (+ get mentoring from expert nature-based therapists & free marketing of your practice on our ConTiGO Certified® directory of practitioners).

🐝 Join the waitlist for the TGO Business Hive if you want help starting and growing your nature-based BUSINESS.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Jillian Blount, OT, owner of WildFree Kids OT in Alaska. Jillian has a lot of experience working with children who display challenging behaviors during nature-based therapy sessions and we had a long and enlightening conversation on this topic.

Jillian and I discuss some of the challenging behaviors we might see as therapists and our approaches to those situations, how to manage groups of children with challenging behaviors, and the importance of creating a safe environment for the kids we work with. Safety is always a concern, especially in the outdoors!

Jillian also offers really great insight into therapeutic holds, how to use them safely, and where to receive training in this area if you're interested to learn more.

We'll discuss:

• [00:00] A quick update on what's been going on in my work life, mainly I've been prioritizing rest, plus registration opens for The Hive at the end of July
• [11:38] An introduction to Jillian and her nature-based business, plus defining what the term "managing behavior" means
• [17:16] Some of the challenging behaviors we might see as therapists, and our approach to handling those behaviors, plus how to broach this subject with parents and steer them to change their own behaviors
• [35:32] How to manage groups of children with challenging behaviors, especially in an outdoor setting
• [47:07] Jillian shares her thoughts on the clash between behaviorism and a therapeutic/relationship-based approach
• [53:40] Strategies to help kids feel safe in our sessions with them, and what to do when children don't have the language/cognitive capabilities for collaborative problem solving
• [01:16:40] Jillian shares whether therapeutic holds are appropriate and if there's a proper way to do them when it comes to children's safety

Connect with Jillian:

WildFree Kids OT website

WildFree Kids OT on Facebook

WildFree Kids OT on Instagram

Resources from this episode:

• Book: Behavioral Challenges in Children with Autism and Other Special Needs: The Developmental Approach by Diane Cullinane
• Therapeutic Crisis Institute
• Crisis Prevention Institute
• Life Space Crisis Intervention
• Australian Childhood Foundation

🌎 Join the Therapy in the Great Outdoors (TGO) Community to get free support as a nature-based pediatric therapist.

🥾 Download my free guide The Nature-Based Practice ROADMAP to help you start or grow your nature-based pediatric therapy practice.

🌈 Join the waitlist for the ConTiGO Approach Online Course if you want to be an expert in nature-based pediatric therapy (+ get mentoring from expert nature-based therapists & free marketing of your practice on our ConTiGO Certified® directory of practitioners).

🐝 Join the waitlist for the TGO Business Hive if you want help starting and growing your nature-based BUSINESS.

Today's episode is a live business coaching call for Jenna Miller, OT, owner of Well and Wild Child OT. Jenna is deep into the start-up phase of her nature-based practice in New York. If you're thinking about nature-based practice or just getting started, this episode is for you!

Jenna and I discuss a variety of topics, including why it's so important to have a community around you as a nature-based business owner, Jenna's feelings of overwhelm, the cash pay model and generating super bills, the difference between nature-based therapy and enrichment services, and so much more.

Jenna was also really honest about deciding whether or not to join the TGO Business Hive (spoiler alert, she obviously did!) and if you're in need of community as well while running your nature-based business, this is your invitation to join the waitlist. Hope to see you there.

We'll discuss:

• [00:00] The importance of having a community as a nature-based business owner, and an invitation to join the waitlist for the TGO Business Hive
• [07:46] An introduction to Jenna Miller, OT, and how she partnered with local nature-based organizations to get started, plus the difference between nature-based therapy vs. enrichment services
• [17:53] Jenna's questions about the start-up phase and her feelings of overwhelm and discomfort (which are totally normal!)
• [21:05] Generating superbills for clients in a cash-pay model, how to offer above-and-beyond services that people will pay cash for, and documentation for nature-based services
• [30:09] The fear of doing something wrong as you get started, but also the joy of having a community where you can be honest about your entrepreneurial struggles
• [38:41] Things to consider when deciding to offer individual or group therapy services when you're starting out
• [44:37] Jenna's decision making process on whether to join the Business Hive and who she thinks the community is best for (HINT: almost anyone running a nature-based business!)

Connect with Jenna:

Well and Wild Child OT

Follow Jenna on Instagram

🌎 Join the Therapy in the Great Outdoors (TGO) Community to get free support as a nature-based pediatric therapist.

🥾 Download my free guide The Nature-Based Practice ROADMAP to help you start or grow your nature-based pediatric therapy practice.

🌈 Join the waitlist for the ConTiGO Approach Online Course if you want to be an expert in nature-based pediatric therapy (+ get mentoring from expert nature-based therapists & free marketing of your practice on our ConTiGO Certified® directory of practitioners).

🐝 Join the waitlist for the TGO Business Hive if you want help starting and growing your nature-based BUSINESS.

Today's episode is a bit different from what you're used to hearing from me, but I thought this was a great time to give you my life and business updates. I have a trip and a speaking engagement to share with you, plus updates on my Business Hive and ConTiGO courses, Therapy in the Great Outdoors community (we're almost at 400 members, come join us!), and The Therapy in the Great Outdoors Foundation. Lastly, I want to remind you all (and in turn, remind myself) to be gentle with yourself and give yourself grace. You can't do everything all the time, you can only do the best you can. We'll discuss: [00:00] Why I decided to do an update on my life, plus my upcoming dual purpose trip to California [07:10] My takeaways on gaining and losing staff members in your business and the importance of documenting your business processes [12:09] What's going on with the Therapy in the Great Outdoors community [16:18] Updates on my Business Hive and ConTiGO courses [25:45] Focusing on strategic marketing and speaking at a conference in the fall [26:39] A reminder to be gentle with yourself and give yourself grace [28:47] A quick status update on The Therapy in the Great Outdoors Foundation, a non-profit that I'm starting to provide scholarships for children to attend nature-based therapy services.

Resources from this episode:

• The Healthy Rebellion Radio

🌎 Join the Therapy in the Great Outdoors (TGO) Community to get free support as a nature-based pediatric therapist.

🥾 Download my free guide The Nature-Based Practice ROADMAP to help you start or grow your nature-based pediatric therapy practice.

🌈 Join the waitlist for the ConTiGO Approach Online Course if you want to be an expert in nature-based pediatric therapy (+ get mentoring from expert nature-based therapists & free marketing of your practice on our ConTiGO Certified® directory of practitioners).

🐝 Join the waitlist for the TGO Business Hive if you want help starting and growing your nature-based BUSINESS.

Today's guest, Hannah Burke, is a Ph.D. candidate at Colorado State University who recently, along with her co-authors, had an article published about nature-based pediatric occupational therapy. It was a scoping review of the literature that's out there in our field and the outcomes are fascinating.

In this episode, Hannah shares why they chose to do a scoping review, what gray literature is, what her research uncovered, and the struggles around trying to solidify a definition of nature-based OT. We also discuss the importance of interdisciplinary work with other allied health professionals in nature-based therapy.

What struck me the most, though, was Hannah's reminder that while research is incredibly valuable in our field, the research is just a tool to guide you in your practice and that a holistic approach will always serve us best and create the best outcomes for our clients.

We'll discuss:

• [03:04] Hannah's article and how she got her research published and out into the world, plus the difference between a scoping review and a systematic review
• [10:05] Hannah's research and review process for the article
• [20:12] The struggle of trying to define nature-based occupational therapy without getting too specific, and what Hannah hopes the definition will include going forward
• [32:40] The theories informing the work of nature-based practices
• [39:22] Hannah shares some of the outcomes from the review on natured-based OT and intervention
• [48:51] Why interdisciplinary work with other allied health professionals is so important in nature-based therapy
• [53:13] The unique considerations that we need to make in our skill sets, knowledge, and competencies as therapists in order to do work outdoors
• [01:00:38] How research is a tool and guide to use in our practices and not necessarily the be-all and end-all

Connect with Hannah:

Follow Hannah on Instagram

Resources from this episode:

• Abstract of Hannah's article: Nature-Based Pediatric Occupational Therapy: A Scoping Review
• Textbook: Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice by Anita C. Bundy & Shelly J Lane
• Nature Contact and Children's Health: A Systematic Review by Amber L. Fyfe-Johnson et al., Pediatrics, 2021
• Nature-Based Speech Therapy for Children with Carolyn Parker M.A. CCC-SLP
• Book: Nature-Based Therapy: A Practitioner's Guide to Working Outdoors with Children, Youth, and Families by Nevin J. Harper, Kathryn Rose, and David Segal

🌎 Join the Therapy in the Great Outdoors (TGO) Community to get free support as a nature-based pediatric therapist.

🥾 Download my free guide The Nature-Based Practice ROADMAP to help you start or grow your nature-based pediatric therapy practice.

🌈 Join the waitlist for the ConTiGO Approach Online Course if you want to be an expert in nature-based pediatric therapy (+ get mentoring from expert nature-based therapists & free marketing of your practice on our ConTiGO Certified® directory of practitioners).

🐝 Join the waitlist for the TGO Business Hive if you want help starting and growing your nature-based BUSINESS.