Taking occupational therapy into the community to help kids and teens build the skills they need to live their best life.
Are you concerned about your child’s ability to achieve the things they want?
In a world often designed for neurotypical minds, people with diverse ways of thinking and processing can face unnecessary barriers. I believe in teaching how to adapt environments to embrace neurodiversity while equipping our children/teens with practical skills to navigate their daily lives. Unlike traditional clinic settings, I bring occupational therapy into the community. Why? Because this is our natural environment; this is where we live day to day. This is where the unpredictable happens: where we learn to navigate social situations, unexpected sensory experiences, and changes in plans. This is where we put our coping tools to use and learn to self-advocate for our needs.
Examples of skills we might work on include:
- self-confidence
- endurance
- strength
- perseverance
- attention
- sensory processing
- problem solving
- flexibility
- body awareness
- safety awareness
- self advocacy
- greater connection with the outdoors
Philosophy
I believe in the transformative power of play and meaningful connection. My approach is rooted in the understanding that we all learn and grow through play, whether we’re 5 or 18 or 45. Play can be so many things: a game of hide and seek, making a craft from materials you find outside, or adventure sports such as snow shoeing or rock climbing. I partner closely with families, recognizing them as essential members of each child or teen’s therapeutic journey and empowering them with tools to support their child or teen’s development.
I believe in honoring each person’s voice and autonomy, celebrating their unique strengths while nurturing areas for growth. This therapeutic environment fosters vital social-emotional skills, teaching children and teens how to understand their bodies and feelings, regulate their responses, and build meaningful connections within their community. Through respectful, collaborative relationships with both children/teens and their families, the goal is to create a supportive space where every child or teen can thrive in their own way.
How do I get started?
- Click on the button above ‘Contact Outdoor Play Therapy’ to give more details about your concerns
- I will contact you to determine together whether Outdoor Play Therapy is the best fit for your child
- An evaluation will be setup and together we will come up with a plan on how to nurture your child’s development
Insurance
Now accepting: Pacific Source, Medicaid, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
Out-of-pocket: Sliding scale of $25-$45 per 15 minutes of treatment session and $150-$200 per evaluation.
Questions about insurance: If your insurance is not supported and you feel like this therapy would be the best fit for your child, please fill out the form above explaining this. Outdoor Play Therapy strives to serve all and will look into credentialing with your insurance.
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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.
About Michelle Thiessen OTR/L
I’m an licensed occupational therapist and mom to two beautiful kids. 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. There I began 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 kids, rock climbing, backpacking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, gardening, making crafts, dancing, 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