119: Bringing Therapy Outdoors. With Dr. Laura Park Figueroa

The Art of Parenting

Do you spend time in nature with your child? Listen in to discover why it is so important for you and your child. Click here for show notes and more from Jeanne-Marie, Your Parenting Mentor. Nature has always been my most dedicated therapist; when I’m feeling out of sorts, a walk outside will often help restore my calm. Today, my guest and I talked about bringing therapy outdoors. What We Talked About:

• What exactly does an occupational therapist do

• Why did Laura decide to take her practice outdoors

• What are the challenges and advantages of being in nature vs. being indoors when treating children

• The “Just Right Challenge”

• When should you see an Occupational Therapist

Things to Remember:

“Nature often offers challenges that are beyond our comfort level.”

“Nature-based therapy can happen anywhere.”

“All of us exist in this continual context of nature.”

“Kids can do hard things, we can do hard things, and that’s really what helps us to grow and change.”

“Problems fester when they’re not brought to life.”

― Dr. Laura Park Figueroa

“There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” ― Alfred Wainwright

"Nature is a guide that teaches children how to move about.' ― Dr. Maria Montessori

“When we spend time outside in beautiful places, a part of our brain called the subgenual prefrontal cortex, quiets down, and this is part of the brain that is associated with negative self-reported rumination” ― Florence Williams

Click here for show notes and more from Jeanne-Marie, Your Parenting Mentor.