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

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

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

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

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