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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
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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
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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!
Make giant bubble wands for giant bubbles.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.)Make a mud kitchen using kitchen supplies from thrift stores. Play the Great Nature Baking Show game.Balloon ball volleyball gameMake ice cream in the ice cream ballWhat 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.)
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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
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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
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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
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In this episode, I share the framework we use for planning summer therapy camps in my nature-based therapy practice. I developed this system in 2020, focusing on the emotional journey kids typically experience throughout a camp week. Key themes are established for each day of the camp week with individual therapy goals being addressed within daily activities. Next week on the podcast, I'll share part 2 of this mini-series on camp planning, where I'll share how to choose good books to support your creative treatment planning for therapy camps.
00:00 Welcome to Therapy in the Great Outdoors
00:28 Personal Update & preparations
01:06 Introducing the Summer Camp Planning Framework
02:28 Detailed Breakdown of the Daily Therapeutic Themes
08:44 Exploring the ConTiGO Approach
11:26 Reflecting on the Framework's Necessity and Sharing Resources
13:50 Closing Thoughts and Invitation for Feedback
Get your free copy of the chart of the Therapeutic Themes Framework for Camp Planning here: www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/camp
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Over the years coaching nature-based business owners, I've noticed some key things that all successful nature-based entrepreneurs seem to do consistently. Want to know what they are? Listen to this week's episode to get my tips and insights on how to do these 5 things so that your nature-based business can grow to serve more people in your community!
Successful nature-based business owners:
1. Take imperfect action.
2. Commit for the LONG HAUL and don't give up when things get hard.
3. Start small and slowly build multiple revenue streams.
4. Develop systems for every single repeatable process in the business.
a. Recommended resource: Beyond Booked Solid by Michael Port
5. Invest in their business and themselves as leaders of their business.
If YOU are ready to invest in the success of your nature-based business, join us in the Business Hive, my nature-based business coaching program for nature-based entrepreneurs. Enrollment is open till June 1 at 5pm CST. You'll get weekly accountability calls, loads of templates and forms to help you run your business, and my entire Business Bedrocks curriculum to help you systematically set up your business run on auto-pilot as much as possible so that you can work less and pay yourself more as the business grows to serve more people in your local community. You CAN do this...I have and I can help you do it, too!
Enroll now at https://therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/hive-open
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In this episode, you'll learn strategies for effectively managing and leading a team in your nature-based business. Occupational therapist Shannon Rolph from Guelph, Ontario, Canada joined me for a live business coaching call. She is the owner of Shannon Rolph OT, and runs Kids in the Woods, a nature-based branch of her business. She has hired her first employees and had questions around how to lead well while growing her business.
You'll learn:
-How to establish policies and procedures up front with employees, while maintaining your autonomy as the business owner to make changes in the future if needed
-Strategies for establishing financial incentives for employees
-Ways to foster team community and engagement in the business priorities and goals
-Why it is important for nature-based business owners to have other nature-based business owner friends
Learn more about Shannon's business at www.shannonrolph.ca or connect with her on Instagram @shannon.rolph.ot
ANNOUNCEMENT! The Business Hive, my nature-based business group coaching program, will open for enrollment on May 27 for a June-December cohort. If you want to set up automated systems so that you can work less and earn more as your nature-based business grows to serve more people, check out the Hive & join the waitlist at https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/hive
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If you're a nature-based business owner in the United States, you NEED this information to avoid fines and penalties from the government! This short episode could save you a lot of hassle down the road. I explain the new Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the requirement that all businesses submit their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI). Don't worry - it is quick and easy. Takes less than 10 minutes and you only need to do it once (or after any ownership changes in the future).
Go to https://www.fincen.gov/boi to report your BOI for your business. If you existed before 1/1/24 you have till 1/1/25 to report. If you start your business in 2024 or later, you must report within 30 days!
You can get more information at this helpful blog post from my trusted local attorney's office here in Madison: https://www.athenalegalsolutionsllc.com/post/breaking-down-the-corporate-transparency-act-what-business-owners-need-to-know
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Jillian Blount is back for a live coaching call here on the TGO podcast! She needed help sorting through options when planning for her summer programming in her nature-based practice. There are LOTS of ideas here to help you when thinking through logistics in your own practice.
[2:11] How you can do nature-based therapy anywhere: ALASKA! Public parks. People's homes. Or your own private land in Alaska like Jillian's family just bought!
[5:30] Navigating extending offers to employees as a very small practice
[6:48] How many logistics there are in owning land to offer nature-based therapy services.
[9:00] How to prioritize what you need to focus on in your business at the right time, even when you're in overwhelm
[10:54] Planning for summer services in your nature-based practice...it doesn't have to look like everyone else's offers!
[12:45] Naming services so that parents understand what they are.
[14:40] How to decide what to charge for your summer services and how to structure them as enrichment or therapy, based on payor sources (Medicaid, private insurance or private pay)
[18:00] Doing the math to determine what to charge, based on what reimbursement or rates are in your area and how much time you spend for yourself or staff to provide the service
[22:00] Important considerations when marketing any outdoor service that is run by a therapist (enrichment or therapy services)
[27:26] The importance of your EMAIL LIST and giving DEADLINES to people Connect with Jillian on Instagram @wildfreekidsot and check out her practice at www.wildfreekidsot.com Other episodes featuring Jillian as a guest:
31: How to Respond to Challenging Behaviors in Nature-Based Therapy Sessions with Jillian Blount, OT
43: Favorite WINTER Nature-Based Therapy Activities for Children
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This week I'm sharing some of our favorite creative snack ideas from my nature-based therapy practice.
1. Color changing tea (find it in the TGO community here)
2. Apple pizzas (find it in the TGO community here)
3. Fun with the apple peeler (in Laura's book)
4. Apple crisp (in Laura's book)
5. Pasta packets (in Laura's book)
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Therapy in the Great Outdoors: A Start-Up Guide to Nature-Based Pediatric Practice with 44 Kid-Tested Activities
Johnny apple peeler
Spiralizer
ConTiGO™ Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy Certification & Mentoring Program
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In this episode the dynamic duo Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, CPRCS and Jessica Hill, COTA/L, CPRCS join me to talk all things sensory and primitive reflex integration. Rachel and Jessica are Harkla's in-house Certified OT Assistants and Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists. Harkla is a company that provides products, courses & community for sensory, autism & ADHD families. They offer loads of helpful tips and strategies on their podcast All Things Sensory and in their courses and workbooks for therapists available through Harkla.
In this episode, you'll learn:
-SIMPLE sensory strategies to suggest to families to get children outdoors more!
-How we can motivate children to engage more in therapy sessions by fostering their autonomy and encouraging healthy risk in play
-How slowing down during a session might be the best thing you can do for a child's nervous system
-What primitive reflexes are and how they may impact function in children who have retained primitive reflexes
-Simple activities you can do outdoors (even with GROUPS!) that will help children who may have retained primitive reflexes
Connect with Rachel and Jessica on Instagram @allthingssensorypodcast and follow Harkla @harkla_family
Resources mentioned in this episode: @myoutdoorsymom account on IG
The ConTiGO Nature-Based Therapy Certification & Mentoring Program is OPEN for enrollment April 22-30 for our May 2024 cohort! Enroll now to get training, resources, community, & ongoing mentoring to become an expert nature-baed pediatric therapist.
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When life gets crazy, it is HARD to keep going as a business owner...even when you have an amazing nature-baed business. This episode is an honest share from the heart about my own lack of motivation lately and lessons I've been learning in the midst of the messiness of life and business.
Some things I'm learning:
-Don't believe the lies you tell yourself so that you can be free to show up for others.
-Personal connection with the people you serve can give you meaning when you don't feel motivated.
-Our feelings may not reflect (in fact, usually DON'T reflect) reality
-Saying NO to really good or even great things is a necessity in entrepreneurship.
And at the end I share some practical things happening in my businesses right now and some recent decisions I've made to pivot after a setback.
I hope this episode encouraged you if you are feeling like you lack motivation right now!
It is normal to have these ebbs and flows of energy in our business ownership and I'm right there with you! xoxo
Laura
Register for the Nature-Based Business Retreat here.
Join the waitlist for the ConTiGO Nature-Based Therapy Certification & Mentoring Program here.
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This systematic review and meta-analysis found nature-based interventions have positive associations with behavioral and emotional outcomes for autistic children. The full article and supplemental materials are available here.
Reference: Fan, M., Li, W., Ho, L., Phiri, L., & Choi, K. (2023). Nature-based interventions for autistic children. JAMA Network Open, 6(12), e2346715. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.46715
The ConTiGO Approach Nature-Based Therapy Certification & Mentoring Program will open in 2 weeks for a May 2024 cohort. Join the waitlist here to get notified when we open.
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Marianna Ayers Sordille, OTD, OTR/L, owner of Whole Child Pediatric OT in Clayton, CA, joined me for a live coaching call to get some help with her nature-based business.
We discussed:
-Niching DOWN in your nature-based practice (but not TOO niched-down) & why it is SO important now to do so
-Communicating value to your potential clients (which is especially important when you're offering therapy services which can be perceived as "expensive" by families)
-Considerations when packaging your services and how to get paid for all your time spent working -Ways to save time when offering packaged services for clients
-Assessing children for therapy services
And along the way we also touched upon some mindset issues commonly experienced by nature-based therapists. They never go away...but with time you learn to recognize them more quickly...and simply having awareness of them helps you to overcome those mindset challenges!
Connect with Marianna on Instagram @wholechildpediatricOT or visit her website at wholechildpediatric.com
Get the Free BIG HUGE List of Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy Activities here!
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A short-but-sweet episode for y'all today. I'm sharing a story about how sometimes the plans we adults have for the therapy session don't end up being the most therapeutic parts. Children have their own ideas about how to use materials in nature...and that's part of the beauty of nature-based therapy. One child created a super-fun activity during our group therapy session and I'm sharing it with you here...because it is SO easy and all you need is a rubber band to do it!
Have fun out there! And if you want 120 ideas for nature-based therapy sessions, get the Big Huge List of Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy Activities here.
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Jenny Gill is an OT-turned-copywriter focused on website copy and brand strategy. She's worked with lots of nature-based businesses. She came on the podcast today to talk about all things websites! Your nature-based business website can be a way for potential customers to get to know, like, and trust your business and believe in your expertise. But that doesn't matter if no one can find your website online! Jenny's here to help you learn how your nature-based business website can show up on the first page of google in your area. You'll learn simple strategies that you can do TODAY to optimize your website and connect with your ideal clients locally.
Expect to learn:
- How your practice can show up on the first page of google when people search for therapy in your area.
-What search engine optimization (SEO) is and why you should care about it for your nature-based business
-Easy (FREE!) ways you can optimize your website content
-Why the words matter on your website and which words you need to make sure you have on your nature-based business website
-How to structure your website for ease of use by customers as well as optimizing for SEO
-Why you should start with the WORDS on your website first and use images to illustrate the words
-How your website can be a conduit for connection with families and create safety and trust for the children you see
-Considerations when marketing your business on your website (hint: focus on the outcome for your client, rather than the product/service)
Connect with Jenny:
Website: www.jennygillcopywriting.com
Instagram: @jennygill_ot
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennyGillCopywriting
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-gill-ms-otr-263a2515a
Get Jenny's FREE Hooks, Headlines, and Subject Line Idea Guide.
Get the Free BIG HUGE List of Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy Activities here!
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In this episode, I review the basics of Attention Restoration Theory (ART), which was developed by Rachel & Stephen Kaplan in the late 1980s. It is a widely cited theory today among nature-based therapists. You'll learn:
-How ART explains the concept of nature as an environment that restores attention
-The 4 components of a restorative environment, according to ART
-How ART can help you choose an optimal therapy site for your sessions with children, especially those who have ADHD.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective by Rachel & Stephen Kaplan, 1989.
Get the free BIG HUGE List of Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy Activities here.
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In this episode, I share results from a recent systematic review examining the effect of exposure to nature on children's psychological well-being. You'll learn what the literature says about this topic (it's good news but also NOT as great as we might wish for...more research always needed). Plus, I pull out a few practical takeaways for your work as a nature-based therapist. I also give a little mini-lesson on Attention Restoration Theory, and realized I've never done an episode on the topic of ART so stay tuned for that coming next week! See ya then!
References from this episode:
Liu, J., & Green, R. (2023). The effect of exposure to nature on children's psychological well-being: A systematic review of the literature. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 81, 127846.
Bang, K.-S., Kim, S., Song, M., Kang, K., & Jeong, Y. (2018). The effects of a health promotion program using urban forests and nursing student mentors on the perceived and psychological health of elementary school children in vulnerable populations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(9), 1977.
Get the free BIG HUGE List of Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy Activities here.
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