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

This one's a heart-to-heart. I'm tired y'all. Just. SO. Tired. So I'm taking a break from doing the podcast weekly...for I don't know how long. You can hear some of my honest thoughts and off-the-cuff reflections in this short episode. I bet I'll be back at some point but for now I will be mostly hanging out in the free TGO Community and supporting people in my paid programs.  There are SO MANY people and resources in the TGO Community to support you in your nature-based work. You can join here: https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com I hope to see you there! xoxo Laura

In this episode, I share a few things I'm thinking about putting in the brand new Therapy in the Great Outdoors SHOP for you. Weigh in on which ones you want to see offered in the TGO community at therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com.🌳✨   00:00 Welcome to Therapy in the Great Outdoors   00:59 Upcoming Growth Code Conference   01:54 Introducing the Therapy in the Great Outdoors Shop   03:36 Social Media Break and Community Engagement   07:30 Valuable Resources for Nature-Based Therapy   10:43 Business Templates and Tools   15:18 Employee Compensation and Work Plans   20:33 Additional Resources and Feedback Request   30:00 Conclusion and Announcements   Other resources from this episode:   5-R Work Plans podcast episode: https://sites.libsyn.com/116069/287-transform-your-team-by-leveraging-5-r-work-plans-with-sabrina-davis   Flodesk email service: https://flodesk.com/c/Y63MIS  

Lauren MacLean is a teacher, podcaster, author, and owner of Teach Outdoors in Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada. She has years of experience teaching children outdoors and is joining me today to talk about how we can integrate sit spot practices into our work as nature-based pediatric therapists. Lauren shares her valuable insights from 17 years of teaching, her work with nature schools, and authorship of children's books. We dive into practical strategies for therapists and educators to help children connect with nature, including tips on balancing structure and freedom, managing boundaries, and adapting practices for children with different needs such as ADHD and autism. You'll learn how to model positive behavior, use language effectively, and integrate play and learning in the great outdoors.   00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy   00:58 Meet Lauren MacLean: Educator and Author   04:37 Understanding Sit Spots   08:12 Implementing Sit Spots in Therapy   12:18 Balancing Structure and Freedom in Outdoor Learning   21:43 Adapting Outdoor Activities for Diverse Needs   28:23 Sports Psychology and Coaching Challenges   28:49 Safety Reminders for Outdoor Activities   29:26 Pre-Teaching and Classroom Management   30:06 Classroom Book Projects and Environmental Awareness   32:03 Children's Picture Books and Their Impact   36:50 Balancing Technology and Outdoor Play   42:30 Risky Play and Child Development   49:10 Final Thoughts and Contact Information   51:25 Enrollment for ConTiGO Nature-Based Therapy Program   Connect with Lauren online at teachoutdoors.ca or on Instagram @teachoutdoors.ca   The ConTiGO Approach Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist or Therapy Assistant Certification Program is now open for enrollment till Jan 31, 2025 at 5pm CST. Go to contigoapproach.com to get more information.

Here's my annual last-year-in-review episode where YOU get to peek inside my businesses' metrics from 2024 and learn from my mistakes (as usual!) 😆   You'll learn: -What I'm NOT doing anymore this year -Why reviewing your profit-loss statement is critical -How $60,000+ in your business bank account may NOT mean you were highly profitable -Ways to assess market demand for your services -How my business is structured now to be in a position for growth -Strategies for maintaining business growth and fostering a supportive team -The value of slowing down and honoring your own energy/feelings   Enrollment will open January 24-31 for you to become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist or Therapy Assistant in the ConTiGO Approach. Go to contigoapproach.com to get all the details and join the waitlist. We'll send you an email when doors are open!   Timestamped Outline: 00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy 00:58 Podcast Episode: Learn from My Mistakes 01:31 Business Metrics and Mistakes of 2024 02:51 Overview of Therapy in the Great Outdoors (TGO) 04:08 Financial Challenges and Reflections 11:31 Future Plans for TGO 15:13 Financial Overview of Outdoor Kids OT 15:59 Business Budgeting and Profit First 20:06 Challenges of Running a Therapy Business 22:00 Setting Financial Goals for the Year 23:11 Team Expansion and Role Delegation 25:09 Annual Planning and Market Research 28:41 Balancing Transparency and Discretion 35:17 Reflections on Leadership and Personal Growth 42:33 ConTiGO Certification Program Announcement

THANK YOU for being a TGO podcast listener! To celebrate our 100th episode of Therapy in the Great Outodors, this week I answer YOUR questions about:   - How to start and run a nature-based camp (3:20)   - Evaluation methods for both group and individual therapy (13:40)   - Choosing the right website hosting platform (26:30)   - Balancing business growth with family life (31:10)   - Handling extreme weather conditions in your nature-based practice (41:40)   - Navigating permits and waivers for public parks (46:00)   Join me as we dive deep into these listener questions and help you take steps towards creating your dream practice. And if you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving a review to help our podcast grow!   00:00 Introduction to Therapy in the Great Outdoors   00:58 Celebrating Episode 100 with Listener Q&A   03:09 Starting and Running a Nature-Based Camp   09:04 Nature-Based Evaluations for Group and Individual Therapy   14:54 Rules and Regulations for Providing Services Outdoors   15:57 Website Hosting and Business Planning Tips   25:12 Managing a Nature-Based Practice in Extreme Weather   27:48 Waivers, Permits, and Liability Insurance   31:01 Conclusion and Call to Action   Want free resources to support your nature-based practice? Go to https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com

In this episode, we dive into the 'Tool for Observing Play Outdoors' (TOPO), a new typology for capturing children's play behaviors in outdoor settings by Lobach and Cox. (If you missed part one, be sure to catch up with episode 98 first!) You'll learn: The non-hierarchical framework of TOPO Ways to capture the complexity of play when making observations How the TOPO can help you plan nature-based treatment sessions for children 00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy 00:58 Exploring the TOPO Tool for Outdoor Play 04:27 Implications and Applications of the TOPO Tool 10:53 Using the TOPO Tool for Individual and Place-Based Observations 17:24 Alternative Uses and Practical Tips for the TOPO Tool 20:45 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes Link to the article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7432422/

In this episode, I discuss the article The Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO): A New Typology for Capturing Children's Play Behaviors in Outdoor Environments by Loebach & Cox. You'll learn how this tool was developed and tested, and hear about the 9 categories of outdoor play and their subtypes included on this tool. This episode will help you hone your observation skills of children's play and consider ways to inspire different kinds of play in your outdoor therapy sessions. Next week (in part 2) we'll talk about implications for nature-based therapists and how you can use the TOPO tool in your practice to become a more skilled facilitator of play in your nature-based sessions.   00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy 00:59 Personal Reflections 02:18 Introduction to the TOPO Tool 03:13 Abstract and Relevance of the TOPO Tool 05:38 Development Phases of the TOPO Tool 09:17 Nine Types of Outdoor Play 10:43 Physical Play and Its Subtypes 12:31 Exploratory Play and Its Subtypes 13:32 Imaginative Play and Its Subtypes 15:15 Play with Rules and Its Subtypes 17:32 Expressive Play and Its Subtypes 20:15 Bio Play and Its Subtypes 21:20 Restorative Play and Its Subtypes 23:45 Digital Play and Non-Play Categories 26:28 Conclusion and Certification Information Enrollment is open till Dec 31 at 5pm CST for you to become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist or Therapy Assistant in the ConTiGO Approach. Go to contigoapproach.com to get all the details and join us before the price goes up in 2025 for the first time in 5 years!

How are you feeling in your nature-based practice or business right now? In this episode, you'll hear about my current feelings about both of my nature-based businesses, my therapy practice (Outdoor Kids OT) and my online business (Therapy in the Great Outdoors - which produces this podcast for you!). You'll learn: -That you are NORMAL if your emotions ebb and flow over the course of your practice/business! -Tips for choosing the right niche -Why it is important to think long-term about your work and life -The importance of knowing how you come to your best ideas/decisions (and how I come to mine.) -How YOU can give feedback to guide the offerings of Therapy in the Great Outdoors next year in 2025! Here's the link to the TGO 2024 End-of-Year Survey! Please share your thoughts. All replies are anonymous! https://forms.gle/9o64NtPVeGsA75yg9  

In this episode, I share my recent travel experiences in Nepal and Indonesia and reflections I had along the way. This trip was MUCH more challenging than I anticipated it would be! In many ways, it was just like being an entrepreneur: super rewarding and ALSO very hard. You'll hear what I observed about children in these different cultures and how that impacted my own thinking about nature-based therapy service provision and life here in the US. 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Personal Travel Reflections: Nepal and Indonesia (an overview of the trip and what we did) 09:10 Challenges and Hardships of the Journey 15:32 Cultural Observations of Children 27:16 My Existential Crisis and Reflections on Nature-Based Therapy Service Provision 33:30 ConTiGO announcement Enrollment is open till Dec 31 at 5pm CST for you to become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist or Therapy Assistant in the ConTiGO Approach™. Go to contigoapproach.com to get all the details and join us before the price goes up in 2025 for the first time in 5 years!

Thanks to Layna Lovelady for posting the question that inspired this episode in the TGO community! In this episode, I share my top 12 favorite gift ideas for outdoorsy kids. Plus a few embarrassing/funny stories from my own childhood and young parenting days... :) 1. Morakniv Pocket Knife - fixed blade (not folding) with ledge for protecting hand. 2. Wooden sling shots 3. Bow and arrow from Two Bros Bows 4. Waldorf sack doll 5. Hearthsong outdoor swings 6. Ribbon sticks or playsilks from Sarah's Silks (Or Dharma blank silks that you can dye yourself.) 7. Tegu blocks (expensive but truly an heirloom quality toy- I still have my kids' from when they were little and pull them out every time we have young kids over to our home) 8. Wood play food/dishes or mini-kitchen from Etsy (also pricey but beautiful quality) 9. Any book from the Living Books list I made a while back (ep 68). Get the list at https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/list 10. Potholder Loom  11. River rock blocks 12. Nightbuddy beanie headlamp 13. Bonus family gift idea: This firewood splitter is SO FUN to use. Would be a great family gift for an outdoorsy family who lives in a place with cold winters where fires are commonly built during the season. (Make sure to include a mallet or sledgehammer with it!) Announcement: We'll be opening the ConTiGO Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist Certification for the final time at 2024 prices for our February 2025 cohort. The price will go UP in 2025. Get on the waitlist to be notified! contigoapproach.com. Last 2024 enrollment will close December 31 at 5pm.

We're diving back into research after a long break! In this episode, we explore the article titled Theory of Affordances to Understand Environment Play Transactions: Environmental Taxonomy of Outdoor Play Space Features- A Scoping Review by Morgenthaler, Lynch, Loebach, Pentland, and Schultz, published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy in 2024.   This article examines how various outdoor environmental characteristics influence children's outdoor play. The authors developed a taxonomy (a HUGE chart!) that allows practitioners to evaluate the "affordances" of outdoor play spaces...in other words: what do different types of features of the outdoor environment invite children to DO in that environment?   The Environmental Taxonomy of Outdoor Play Space Features categorizes physical environments, their functional qualities, and the play activities they support. This helps us as occupational, physical, and speech therapists, social workers or mental health professionals, to: 🌳 Consider ways we may change the environment to support different types of play in sessions 👀 Discover types of play that may be absent or happening infrequently in our sessions and consider ways to increase the variety of play experiences for children we see in therapy. ✅ Evaluate outdoor play spaces when providing consultation for schools and local governments Find episode 94 of Therapy in the Great Outdoors wherever you get your podcast fix! And tell me: do you think you'll use this taxonomy in your work?   00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy   01:00 Research Review Episode Introduction   02:37 Understanding the Theory of Affordances   03:49 Developing the Environmental Taxonomy   09:02 Applications and Implications for Therapy   22:36 Practical Takeaways and Conclusion   28:34 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Today on the podcast, I interviewed John Arbuckle, a passionate regenerative agriculture farmer and owner of Singing Pastures. He shared his inspiring journey from conventional to regenerative farming, how regenerative animal farming can offer significant environmental benefits, and the crucial role of grazing animals in nurturing healthy ecosystems. Our conversation also dove into the impact of our food choices on ecological health.   Follow Singing Pastures on Instagram and Facebook @singingpastures or check out singingpastures.com. Use code Wilderness20 to get 20% off your first order!   Other resources mentioned in this episode: Joel Salatin's website and books: polyfacefarms.com Watch the Sacred Cow documentary here: Amazon Get the Sacred Cow book here: sacredcow.info/book   00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy 00:59 Interview with Farmer John Arbuckle 04:13 John's Journey to Regenerative Agriculture 07:02 The Philosophy and Practice of Regenerative Farming 10:51 The Role of Animals in Regenerative Agriculture   20:55 The Impact of Regenerative Farming on Wildlife and Ecosystems   22:49 Introduction to Sacred Cow   24:15 The Importance of Hoofed Animals   25:14 Personal Dietary Choices and Health   26:42 The Role of Grazing Animals in Ecosystems   28:39 Photosynthesis and Carbon Sequestration   30:17 Grazing Practices and Soil Health   35:14 Supporting Local Farmers   37:27 Singing Pastures: Products and Philosophy   39:03 Upcoming Travel Adventures   42:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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!   00:00 Introduction to Therapy in the Great Outdoors   00:59 Series on Money and Pricing   01:37 The Psychology of Pricing   06:21 Practical Tips for Pricing   10:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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: Research what is average for your area and charge a similar amount for your services. Don't set your prices too high or too low at the start because either can be detrimental to your business. Try not to over-explain when telling people what you charge. Say your price and SHUT UP and wait for them to respond. If you are a cash pay business, you can offer scholarships for families to expand the reach of your services to lower-income clients. Always have a system in place before offering scholarships. Raise your prices for new clients after you have a established a proven concept and have raving testimonials from previous clients. Think about VALUE. Offer add-ons that add value for families so they see why they are paying versus going to a standard non-nature-based provider (for example: a weekly update, progress notes, consult minutes, on-call PRN services, home programs, etc.).   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