Taking occupational therapy into the motivating outdoors to help your child build the skills they need to succeed in life.
Join Outdoor Play Therapy
Is your child struggling to make progress in their skills?
Outdoor Play Therapy is great to work on all kinds of skills using a motivating helper: the outdoors!
Examples of skills we might work on include:
- self-confidence
- endurance
- strength
- perseverance
- attention
- sensory processing
- problem solving
- body awareness
- safety awareness
- greater connection with the outdoors
What is outdoor therapy?
It’s occupational therapy customized to help kids build different skills depending on their individual needs. Introducing children to the outdoors gives them a precious gift that enriches their entire lives. When kids learn to love nature early, they develop a deep connection to the world around them that brings both joy and comfort throughout their years. Fresh air, physical activity, and the natural curiosity sparked by exploring trails, streams, and forests help build healthier bodies and more resilient minds. They learn valuable lessons about perseverance when fighting to get through a difficult hike, about courage when trying to climb that first big rock, and about wonder when discovering tiny wildflowers or spotting the moon during daylight hours. Perhaps most importantly, children who grow up loving nature often become adults who find peace and perspective in the outdoor world—a skill that proves invaluable in navigating life’s challenges.
Where does the adventure happen?
We get to determine this together. It can be as simple as your backyard, or we can venture out into the outdoor community for a variety of different activities. This is individualized depending on several factors including your child’s needs.
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Outdoor therapy provides a welcoming, safe space where every person’s identity is valued and respected. No matter your faith, cultural background, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ethnicity – nature’s healing spaces are here for you. We believe in creating an environment where you can be your authentic self while experiencing the therapeutic power of the outdoors.
About me
I’m an occupational therapist and mom to a beautiful daughter. My love of the outdoors has been my peaceful sanctuary through some of the hardest moments in life. I’m thrilled to bring together two of my biggest loves: kids and the outdoors to hopefully share the power this connection can bring.
In my early years, I ran a community supported agriculture (CSA) small scale farm and worked with classrooms of kids to explore the wonders of farming. After graduating in 2018 from Colorado State University, I trained at STAR (Sensory Therapy and Research) institute in Denver, CO and gained a deeper understanding of treating kids with sensory processing differences. Afterwards, I moved back to Oregon and began my work as an occupational therapist in an outpatient clinic embracing the outdoor spaces at the clinic including the playground, gardening, barn activities, and hippotherapy as tools for therapy. I have also worked in early intervention, early childhood special education, and home pediatric care.
In my leisure time I enjoy hanging out with my husband and daughter, rock climbing, backpacking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, gardening, making crafts, and cooking. Bend is a beautiful place to call home and I feel fortunate to be part of this community.
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit” -John Muir