Welcome to the

Therapy in the Great Outdoors Podcast

The Therapy in the Great Outdoors Podcast is about the business & practice of nature-based pediatric therapy for outdoor-loving practitioners in the field of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, social work, behavioral health, mental health counseling, or outdoor education.

Available on

Welcome to the

Therapy in the Great Outdoors Podcast

The Therapy in the Great Outdoors Podcast is about the business & practice of nature-based pediatric therapy for outdoor-loving practitioners in the field of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, social work, behavioral health, mental health counseling, or outdoor education.

Available on

Take your work with children outdoors into nature as we cover exactly what it takes to run a successful and profitable nature-based practice that changes children's lives (and yours!) forever.

On this show, you'll get answers to questions like:

  • What does nature-based therapy look like?

  • What types of activities work well in outdoor therapy sessions?

  • How can nature-based therapy be a profitable business

  • What evidence is there for nature-based pediatric therapy?

  • What does research say about getting children out into nature?

  • What kinds of different business models exist for offering nature-based services for children?

  • How can I ensure the success of my nature-based outdoor business?

  • What systems do I need to grow a nature-based practice?

What they say about

The TGO Podcast

  • Very Interesting!

    I am not a therapist myself, but am someone who is very interested in mental health and therapy. It was so interesting to listen in and hear a bit more of the ''why" behind some of the things that are done in therapy. And I LOVIE the integration of using nature in therapy.

  • Our Connection to Nature

    This is amazing! I have always loved being out doors and I find our connection to nature is what is missing in therapy. I am an OT student but I have always had a passion for taking things outdoors and really getting into nature. This podcast has defined what my passion is, my niche. Although I am still a baby OT I am excited to learn more about taking therapy outdoors!!!

  • Great for nature loving therapists!  

    Educational, friendly, helpful, relaxed, inspiring. Laura is the nature-based therapy mentor I've always wanted, with business savvy mixed in. Fun, evidence-based, interesting topics and guests - highly recommended!

  • A North Star for nature-based practitioners

    Laura guides you through so many important topics in this emerging practice area! The evidence-based research reviews are exactly what therapists are looking for and need to hear to keep going down this path. The TGO community is AMAZING, too!! So much helpful & useful information is packed into every episode. Thank you for supporting our community, Laura!

  • Motivational!

    Laura is so motivating in her podcast. She keeps me going when I'm not sure where to go next. I also love how transparent and open she is about what she's doing. Thanks for keeping it real and keeping on week after week!

  • Can I Give it 6 Stars?

    Laura is such an amazing resource for pediatric and nature-based OTs / entrepreneurs! Highly recommend this podcast for anyone seeking guidance in this space 🙌 ⭐

  • Oh! It's a thing!

    I used to dream about doing therapy with kids outdoors without realizing that anyone else was already doing it. Finding this podcast informed me, and connected me to an online community! I have moved my practice outdoors and have more than 6 months under my belt thanks to Laura!

  • Awesome Sauce!!

    I am a fellow nature OT & podcaster and this podcast is jam packed full of fantastic take­-aways tor therapists of all kinds, parents, educators, camp counselors, really anyone working with kids! She is knowledgeable, resourceful & down to earth. I highly recommend this one for anybody interested in nature therapy, or anyone working with kids as she gives examples of how to incorporate nature in indoor settings too!

Listen to our Binge-Worthy

Episodes

Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy, Nonprofit Laura Park Figueroa Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy, Nonprofit Laura Park Figueroa

25: Taking Action for Accessibility in National Parks with Ashlyn Southard, OTS

Today’s guest is an occupational therapy masters student who has already made waves by applying her OT lens in a unique way. Inspired by a life full of nature and travel with her family as well as her siblings who have disabilities, Ashlyn Southard recognized the lack of accessibility in the national parks system and wanted to do something about it.

In today’s episode, she’s sharing how she landed a paid internship working at Grand Teton, the resources she created both for families visiting and for staff to be more informed on accessibility, and how therapists can offer support to families specific to their vacations. 

Ashlyn’s passion for bringing more awareness and accessibility into the national parks is something that is so needed. I can’t wait to see what Ashlyn contributes to the nature-based therapy space in the future and hope that her work in the national parks system lives on.

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Nature-Based Activities, Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy, Nonprofit Laura Park Figueroa Nature-Based Activities, Nature-Based Pediatric Therapy, Nonprofit Laura Park Figueroa

18: Birding as a Therapeutic Tool for All Children with Freya McGregor

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Freya McGregor, an O.T. and disabled birder, about how birding is a beautifully accessible activity that you can add as a tool to your nature-based therapy practice. She shares how to use it as a mindfulness tool, how to adapt birding activities to different needs, and why it’s truly accessible, even if it doesn’t appear that way at first glance.

This is a delightful and exciting conversation that I hope will leave you with lots of ideas and inspiration for incorporating birding into your nature-based therapy practice.

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