28: Research on Nature-Based Therapy with Hannah K. Burke, MS, OTR/L
Today’s guest, Hannah Burke, is a Ph.D. candidate at Colorado State University who recently, along with her co-authors, had an article published about nature-based pediatric occupational therapy. It was a scoping review of the literature that’s out there in our field and the outcomes are fascinating.
In this episode, Hannah shares why they chose to do a scoping review, what gray literature is, what her research uncovered, and the struggles around trying to solidify a definition of nature-based OT. We also discuss the importance of interdisciplinary work with other allied health professionals in nature-based therapy.
What struck me the most, though, was Hannah’s reminder that while research is incredibly valuable in our field, the research is just a tool to guide you in your practice and that a holistic approach will always serve us best and create the best outcomes for our clients.
We’ll discuss:
[03:04] Hannah's article and how she got her research published and out into the world, plus the difference between a scoping review and a systematic review
[10:05] Hannah's research and review process for the article
[20:12] The struggle of trying to define nature-based occupational therapy without getting too specific, and what Hannah hopes the definition will include going forward
[32:40] The theories informing the work of nature-based practices
[39:22] Hannah shares some of the outcomes from the review on natured-based OT and intervention
[48:51] Why interdisciplinary work with other allied health professionals is so important in nature-based therapy
[53:13] The unique considerations that we need to make in our skill sets, knowledge, and competencies as therapists in order to do work outdoors
[01:00:38] How research is a tool and guide to use in our practices and not necessarily the be-all and end-all
Connect with Hannah:
Resources from this episode:
Abstract of Hannah’s article: Nature-Based Pediatric Occupational Therapy: A Scoping Review
Textbook: Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice by Anita C. Bundy & Shelly J Lane
Nature-Based Speech Therapy for Children with Carolyn Parker M.A. CCC-SLP
Book: Nature-Based Therapy: A Practitioner’s Guide to Working Outdoors with Children, Youth, and Families by Nevin J. Harper, Kathryn Rose, and David Segal
💚 Work with me! Here's how I can support your nature-based practice or business:
🌎 Join the Therapy in the Great Outdoors (TGO) Community to get free support as a nature-based pediatric therapist.
🥾 Download my free guide The Nature-Based Practice ROADMAP to help you start or grow your nature-based pediatric therapy practice.
🌈 Join the waitlist for the ConTiGO Approach Online Course if you want to be an expert in nature-based pediatric therapy (+ get mentoring from expert nature-based therapists & free marketing of your practice on our ConTiGO Certified® directory of practitioners).
🐝 Join the waitlist for the TGO Business Hive if you want help starting and growing your nature-based BUSINESS.
Welcome to the TGO Podcast!
The Therapy in the Great Outdoors podcast is about the business & practice of nature-based pediatric therapy of all kinds. If you are an outdoor-loving practitioner in the field of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, social work, behavioral health, mental health counseling, or outdoor education THIS is for you! You'll learn how you can take your work with children outdoors into nature. We'll cover exactly what it takes to run a successful and profitable nature-based practice that changes children's lives (and yours!) forever.
