NATURE BASED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Nature-Based Occupational Therapy takes the clinic outdoors for a new adventure! Clients engage in therapeutic activities outdoors, benefiting from the restorative qualities of nature to support healing, well-being, and optimal participation in daily life.

There is documented research that keeps growing to show the many benefits of taking therapy into an outdoor setting:

• Outdoor therapy helps increase physical activity levels and improves both fine and gross motor function. 

• Research shows improved mood, increased attention, and reduced anxiety and stress. 

• Being outdoors fosters playfulness and creativity, allowing for more imaginative therapy sessions.

• Outdoor therapy promotes improved social interactions and increased imagination.

• Variables change outside to enhance therapeutic value for emotional and sensory regulation. 

• Working in an outdoor setting provides opportunities for growth, making individuals more flexible and adaptable.

While there are nature-based playgroups and enrichment programs, and they are WONDERFUL...

....taking Occupational Therapy outdoors remains a skilled therapy service that addresses individualized therapy goals with the purpose of skilled OT intervention vs. an enrichment experience only. 

The Nature Based session is facilitated by a licensed Occupational Therapist vs. educated adult staff. 

A Nature-Based Therapist's role is to provide intervention and support in session and document with daily notes and progress reports related to family's goals, after an initial OT evaluation. This is still skilled therapy!

We can start in your backyard! Let's step outside for your therapy session and discuss the other outdoor areas you like to visit. 

Some activities might look just like an outpatient kids OT clinic, while others might use items from the natural surroundings. Activity options will be adapted to the location where therapy is being provided. 

• Fine Motor: Activities & crafts with nature objects, cork boats, nature weaving
• Gross Motor: animal walks, hiking, balancing on logs or rocks, digging in the dirt
• Risk Taking: whittling, sling shots, tree climbing, fire starting ( when appropriate ) 
• Problem Solving: Marble runs, water collection, bear bags
• Safety Skills:  Tool use, hammer prints, leaf punch
• Games & Social Skills: Floor is lava, hide and go seek, balloon volleyball, tic tac toe
• Handwriting: Nature rubbings and letters, dirt writing, chalk paint, nature journal, rock animals
• More!

We would complete an initial OT evaluation. If you are interested in Nature Based therapy as a setting, we would ideally complete this in an outdoor setting so specific information can be assessed. 

Reach out with your questions or to schedule an initial FREE 15-minute consultation.