Nature Based Therapy
As someone who loves to be outside and believes time outdoors is very healthy and often times healing, I enjoyed a recent podcast titled "Nature Based Therapy". Here Amy Seymore, a pediatric occupational therapist, discusses this type of therapy and how she uses it in her private practice.
She starts the podcast by explaining that nature based therapy is basically occupational therapy that happens outdoors. For example, in a clinic a practitioner may have a child step across colorful rubber "river stones". In nature based therapy, however, a practitioner would instead go outside and guide the child to step across actual river stones in a stream. In this natural environment, a child would have to compensate for other elements such as the sun in their eyes, the breeze across their skin, or the sounds of the water. She goes on to explain that other environments could include therapists working with clients at a beach, in the woods, or even in a garden.
From my early stages of learning in occupational therapy school and my personal experience, natural settings compared to contrived settings seem to provide better learning experiences. There are limitations to this including accessibility, weather, and the interest of the client. However, if playing or working outdoors is relevant to a practitioner's client, Amy Seymore makes a strong case for nature based therapy.
Check out the posdcast yourself!
http://glasshalffullot.com/podcast/nature-based-therapy/
She starts the podcast by explaining that nature based therapy is basically occupational therapy that happens outdoors. For example, in a clinic a practitioner may have a child step across colorful rubber "river stones". In nature based therapy, however, a practitioner would instead go outside and guide the child to step across actual river stones in a stream. In this natural environment, a child would have to compensate for other elements such as the sun in their eyes, the breeze across their skin, or the sounds of the water. She goes on to explain that other environments could include therapists working with clients at a beach, in the woods, or even in a garden.
From my early stages of learning in occupational therapy school and my personal experience, natural settings compared to contrived settings seem to provide better learning experiences. There are limitations to this including accessibility, weather, and the interest of the client. However, if playing or working outdoors is relevant to a practitioner's client, Amy Seymore makes a strong case for nature based therapy.
Check out the posdcast yourself!
http://glasshalffullot.com/podcast/nature-based-therapy/
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