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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!
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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In this episode, you'll learn all about treatment planning for nature-based pediatric therapy sessions using the ConTiGO Approach™. I delve into four key elements: incorporating child passions, introducing novelty, ensuring activities are child-led and open-ended, and considering sustainability.
You'll also learn about recent changes to ConTiGO and how you can become a Certified Nature-Based Pediatric Therapist™ (or Therapist Assistant). 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:
https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com/contigo-evergreen
00:00 Introduction to Therapy in the Great Outdoors
00:58 Personal Update: A Difficult Time
08:49 The ConTiGO Approach: An Overview
11:48 Elements of the ConTiGO Approach
26:30 Upcoming Changes and Certification
30:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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In this episode, occupational therapist Brigette Hill, OTR/L joins us to discuss her innovative curriculum designed for teaching pre-writing shapes to pre-k children using nature-based activities. Brigette is the founder of Roly Poly Movement, an online business that develops nature-based curriculum and programs for children. Check out rolypolymovement.com and use code GREAT20 for 20% off of her nature-based pre-writing shapes program, Tree Rings and Other Things.
00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy
00:58 Guest Introduction: Brigette Hill and Her Innovative Curriculum
02:57 Exploring Pre-Writing Shapes Through Nature-Based Activities
05:44 Incorporating Movement and Music into Learning
11:10 Launching a Product: Insights and Challenges
20:40 Advice for Aspiring Creators and Business Owners
26:52 Special Offer and Conclusion
27:15 Bonus: Free Resource for Nature-Based Therapy Activities
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In this episode, we explore the concept of evidence-based practice in nature-based pediatric therapy. Evidence-based practice (EBP) can be broken down into three components: research analysis and application, clinical reasoning, and reflective practice. You'll learn how EBP is more than just understanding various types of research, and understand how clinical reasoning evolves through experience, reflective practice, and community interaction.
Resources shared in this episode:
Mattingly, C. (1991). What is clinical reasoning? The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45(11), 979–986. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.45.11.979
Research hub: Evidence based practice toolkit: Levels of evidence. (n.d.). https://libguides.winona.edu/ebptoolkit/Levels-Evidence
Schön, D. A. (1984). The reflective practitioner. Routledge.
00:00 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
00:56 Understanding Research Analysis and Application
01:28 Levels of Evidence in Research
03:11 The Value of Qualitative Research
10:09 Clinical Reasoning in Therapy
17:14 Reflective Practice for Therapists
20:04 Conclusion and Community Invitation
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Wilderness Mental Health First Aid with Nicole Roma Thurrell
In this episode, Nicole Roma Thurrell is back with valuable insights on wilderness mental health first aid. We discussed the importance of body awareness in regulating nervous system responses and strategies for helping children manage different states of activation during outdoor sessions. The episode emphasizes rhythmic, repetitive, and relational activities, with practical suggestions like breathing exercises, grinding coffee beans, and finger knitting. Tune in to hear all her great tips for helping the children you serve be better able to cope with the ebbs and flows of human emotions in daily life. Make sure to visit Institute for Wild Med and get 20% any of their courses with the discount code TGO20 exclusively for our TGO podcast listeners!
00:00 Introduction and Personal Update
00:15 Exciting Upcoming Trip
00:27 Challenges of the Week
01:21 Introduction to the Episode
01:41 Guest Introduction: Nicole Roma Thurl
03:02 Mental Health First Aid Conference
04:37 Increasing Anxiety in Children
06:41 Understanding Wilderness Mental Health First Aid
15:16 The Autonomic Nervous System
23:59 Combining States for Resilience
31:34 Understanding the Dorsal Vagus and Safety Perception
32:32 Body Before Brain: Effective Interventions
35:21 Rhythmic, Repetitive, and Relational Strategies
37:44 Breathing Techniques for Regulation
48:51 High Energy Activities: The Yellow Bucket
50:55 Low Energy Activities: The Red Bucket
54:47 Creating a Safe and Aesthetic Environment
58:48 Conclusion and Practical Takeaways
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In episode 78 of Therapy in the Great Outdoors, Nicole Roma Thurrell, WEMT, CTRS is back for the 2nd in our 3-part series on first aid for nature-based therapists. Nicole shares valuable personal anecdotes and real-life examples, highlighting the importance of comprehensive first aid training, especially in dynamic outdoor environments.
You'll learn the "big 3" of assessing life-threatening situations: Breathing, Bleeding, & Shock. You’ll also learn about practical tools like EpiPens and hemostatic agents, and get tips on maintaining their effectiveness despite environmental challenges. Join us to equip yourself with the knowledge to keep your outdoor therapy sessions safe and enriching for the children you serve.
00:00 Introduction to Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy
01:00 First Aid Series Overview
02:07 Critical First Aid Skills for Therapists
03:03 Personal Anecdotes and Real-Life Examples
04:57 Principles of First Aid Assessment
08:23 Recognizing and Managing Shock
15:21 Bleeding Control Techniques
20:37 Understanding Blood Thinning Medications
21:11 Importance of First Aid Training
21:47 Choosing the Right First Aid Class
22:57 Handling Anaphylactic Shock
24:59 Obtaining and Using EpiPens
32:22 Critical First Aid Essentials
33:41 WildMed Training Courses and Discounts
37:25 Conclusion and Free Research List
For more information, visit Institute for Wild Med and get 20% any of their courses with the discount code TGO20 exclusively for our TGO podcast listeners!
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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.
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