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Forest School Therapy
Growing Resilience, Regulation, and Belonging
Nature School Therapy integrates therapeutic practices with nature‑based learning. In living classrooms of forest, field, and garden, children build tools for self‑regulation, social connection, confidence, and joyful engagement with the world. Sessions blend play, storytelling, movement, sensory exploration, and seasonal rhythms—always paced by the child and grounded in felt safety.
Our Approach
We are child‑centered, neuro‑affirming, and strengths‑based. We meet each person where they are, invite choice and voice, and co‑create experiences that feel safe, meaningful, and doable. The natural world is not a backdrop—it’s a co‑teacher. Sticks become wands for imagination and fine‑motor work, wind becomes breathwork biofeedback, trails become scaffolds for graded challenge and confidence.
What guides our work:
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Relationship before strategy. Trust and co‑regulation come first; skills grow from connection.
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Play as the pathway. Play and story open doors to communication, problem‑solving, and healing.
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Body wisdom. Sensory input, movement, and breath are core tools for nervous‑system regulation.
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Rhythm and ritual. Predictable openings/closings, mindful transitions, and seasonal cycles create safety.
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Dignity and autonomy. Children have real choices, clear boundaries, and consent‑based support.
Session Formats
Each child’s journey is unique, and the format of sessions can be shaped to best support their growth. Some children benefit most from individualized attention, while others thrive when gently supported in social groups or within one of our Nature School classes. Below are the primary ways therapeutic support may be offered.
Individual Sessions
One‑on‑one sessions provide highly individualized support. The therapist focuses on a child’s specific goals—whether practicing calming strategies, exploring sensory play, or building confidence with climbing and movement. These sessions move at the child’s pace and allow for deep trust‑building and careful observation.
Small Groups
These sessions create a supportive peer space where children can practice cooperation, communication, and problem‑solving. The therapist guides group activities such as cooperative games, storytelling, or nature‑based projects, helping children navigate social interactions while feeling safe and supported.
Alongside Support
In this format, the therapist joins the child within a Nature School group. During class activities, the therapist models strategies, offers gentle scaffolding, and provides guidance in the moment. Therapeutic tools are practiced organically, as children interact with peers, weaving support seamlessly into the flow of everyday class life.
How Sessions Flow
Every session is a weaving together of nature, play, and therapeutic presence. The aim is not to “fix” but to nurture resilience, confidence, and belonging.
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Examples of therapeutic activities:
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Forest Freeze: a playful game that builds impulse control, listening, and peer awareness.
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Sensory Exploration: digging in soil, squishing mud, sifting sand, grinding herbs, or splashing in water to calm the nervous system and build sensory confidence.
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Storytelling & Art: using stories, drawing in journals, painting, or creating with found objects to support expression, empathy, and reflection.
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Movement & Balance: swinging, spinning, climbing, jumping, and balancing to strengthen body awareness, coordination, and self‑confidence.
Each session may combine a few of these activities, always guided by the child’s readiness and interests, with opening and closing rituals to create safety and rhythm.
Outcomes We Aim For
We look for meaningful shifts that ripple outward into a child’s daily life. Our focus is on building inner resources and skills that last.
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Increased access to calm. Children discover ways to settle their bodies and emotions—through breath, movement, or sensory play—so they can return to balance more easily.
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Confidence in participation. Whether joining a game, exploring a new trail, or trying a tool for the first time, children build the courage to step in and take part in play, learning, and group life.
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Flexible problem‑solving. We support children in developing tools and strategies to navigate conflicts or frustrations with peers and tasks.
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Growing frustration tolerance. Children practice sitting with challenges, working through mistakes, and persisting through difficulty, gradually building the capacity to recover and try again.
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Sensory confidence. By exploring textures, sounds, and movement in the natural world, children strengthen body awareness and learn to trust their own sensory systems.
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A sense of belonging. Through connection with peers, trusted adults, and the land itself, children grow roots of safety and belonging that ground them in both community and place.
Is Nature School Therapy right for my child?
Our program is designed for children who benefit from gentle, supportive guidance in natural settings. It is a good fit for those who need help with regulation, resilience, confidence, or social interaction and who thrive with hands-on, movement-rich experiences. Children do not need a diagnosis to participate, and sessions are tailored to individual strengths and goals.
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Children who benefit from our gentle, therapeutic support —include (but not limited to) children who:
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Experience big feelings, anxiety, or stress around school and/or peers
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Seek or avoid sensory input and would benefit from supportive, graded experiences outdoors
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Are building skills in flexible thinking, frustration tolerance, communication, and peer interaction
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Thrive with movement‑rich, hands‑on experiences
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Who It May Not Be For
Forest School Therapy is not a replacement for clinical services. It is not suitable for children who require crisis intervention, intensive medical support, or settings with highly controlled structures. Children whose safety needs cannot be met in an outdoor group environment may require more specialized or clinical care before joining us. We also do not provide psychiatric services, diagnosis, or medication management. In these cases, we gladly collaborate with families and licensed providers to find appropriate supports.
Getting Started
Beginning the journey with Nature School Therapy is simple and collaborative. We want families to feel welcomed, informed, and supported from the very first step.
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Inquiry: Submit the interest form or schedule a complimentary 30‑minute consultation. This first step is a chance to share your child’s strengths, interests, and hopes, ask questions, and learn more about how Nature School Therapy works. This helps us learn more about your goals and determine the best format for support.
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Intake & Observation: We meet with caregivers to discuss needs, answer questions, and complete an initial outdoor observation session. This provides valuable insights into how your child engages and what informs our co-created plan in the following step.
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Plan Creation: Together we co‑create a brief plan that highlights 2–3 practical goals tailored to your child.
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Begin Sessions: Weekly or bi-weekly sessions begin. We adapt along the way to meet evolving needs.
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Review & Next Steps: Every 4–6 sessions (about every month), we check in with families to reflect on growth, challenges, and evolving goals. These regular intervals create space to re‑plan as needed. Like other therapy models, there is not always a definite end point. Care continues until the child no longer needs this support or until families decide to conclude.
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Fees & Funding
Our program is self‑pay, and we do not bill insurance.
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Individual Sessions: starting at $69 per 55 minute session
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Small Group Sessions (2–5 children): $89 per 1.5 hr session
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Alongside Support: Regular monthly nature school tuition + $65–$195/session, depending on level of support needed
We also offer a sliding scale to reduce financial barriers, and we encourage all families who feel their child would benefit from Nature School Therapy to reach out, no matter their financial circumstances.
