Helping neurodivergent kids and families access care and connection in nature
At Thrive Outside, we help therapists, child providers, and teachers integrate nature into their work, and we help neurodivergent kids and overwhelmed parents build regulation and resilience through everyday nature connection.
Thrive Outside teaches parents, therapists, educators, and agencies how to integrate the regulating, sensory-supportive, confidence-building power of nature into everyday routines, relationships, and programs.
Inspired by nature-based occupational therapy, the ConTiGO approach, and relational neuroscience, we help you turn the outdoors into an active partner in your child’s development or in your professional practice.
UPDATE! Sign up for social groups, OT groups, and NEW Special Interest Groups at The Real Work collective!
Our OT Team has joined forces with The Real Work therapy collective! Please head to their site to find us there! Can’t wait to support you!
Affordable Nature-Based downloads and classes for parents and professionals, designed by us!
Why Nature Works for Child Development:
Children’s nervous systems are shaped by connection, movement, rhythm, and sensory-rich environments. Nature offers all of these—automatically.
When we intentionally partner with the outdoors, we support kids in ways that are:
Regulating: predictable sensory input reduces overwhelm and big feelings
Strengthening: natural terrain builds motor skills and confidence
Connecting: co-regulation and play feel easier outside
Calming: nature reduces anxiety, supports emotional balance, and promotes resilience
Developmentally aligned: the outdoors supports curiosity, problem-solving, and self-trust
Nature is one of the most accessible therapeutic tools we have—when we know how to use it with intention..
Who We Support
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Parents
Especially those raising neurodivergent, sensory-sensitive, anxious, or differently-wired kids who benefit from outdoor routines that support emotional and sensory regulation.
You’ll learn practical strategies to:
navigate meltdowns and big feelings
support sensory needs in everyday life
reduce anxiety and overwhelm
build your child’s confidence through nature-based play
create outdoor rhythms that make your days smoother
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Professionals
Including OTs, play therapists, counselors, educators, and child-serving clinicians who want to bring nature-based therapeutic principles into their sessions or programs.
You’ll learn how to:
integrate sensory-informed outdoor practices
use nature as a co-regulator
design nature-based social groups
apply relational neuroscience outdoors
build nature-forward clinical offerings families love
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Agencies and Schools
We train staff teams and leaders across pediatric clinics, early childhood programs, schools, and community organizations to embed nature-based approaches into their culture and services.
We help you:
implement outdoor sensory and regulation strategies
design nature-based curriculum and programs
improve child outcomes through nature-forward practices
build staff capacity in sustainable, evidence-informed ways
What We Teach:
Our courses blend nature-based OT, sensory integration, relational neuroscience, and outdoor child development science into grounded, realistic practices you can apply immediately.
You’ll find training in:
Sensory-informed outdoor routines for regulation
Nature-based approaches to anxiety & emotional balance
Meltdown support through co-regulation and nature
Nature-forward group design for professionals
Outdoor play therapy and OT strategies
Curriculum development for agencies and schools
Everything we teach is neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and developmentally aligned.
Coming Soon: Featured Courses and Guides:
• Nature as Co-Therapist for Parents
Simple, powerful strategies to support regulation at home.
• Nature-Based OT Foundations for Professionals
Core principles + practical strategies for clinicians.
• Outdoor Group Design for Teams & Agencies
Build sustainable, meaningful nature-based programming..
Thrive Family Feedback
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“Thrive Outside showed us that our child is capable of so much more when in the right environment and with the right people.”
-Thrive Outside Parent
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Our child actually looks forward to OT now.
-Thrive Outside Parent
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We’ve found a place where therapy feels like play, and progress feels natural.”
-Thrive Outside Parent
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“Spending significant time outdoors helped our child become more regulated, calmer, and more connected.”
Thrive Outside Parent
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“We finally understood why our children absolutely need consistent time in nature — and how much it changes their behavior and well-being.”
-Thrive Outside Parent
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“Nature became the place where our kids could breathe again, reset, and show up as their best selves.”
-Thrive Outside Parent
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“The creativity and expertise behind nature-based therapy kept our kids genuinely engaged, even when nothing else had worked.”
-Thrive Outside Parent
Read Our Blog: Nature-Based Support for Neurodivergent Kids and Families
Nature connection belongs to all families.
Let’s face it. Getting calm, connected time in nature is a privilege. And, if you find yourself on this page, you are probably like us: you know getting outside is a vital reset for both you and for your child.
Maybe you hate sending them off to school every day to try to stay regulated in chaos and flourescent lights and see how differently they behave when exploring a park, climbing a tree, or even just skipping along the sidewalk.
Our therapists share practical, simple, joyful, and truly accessible tools so that no matter your background, income, or living situation, you get support.
Because nature-based support shouldn’t be something only certain families can access.
It should belong to all of us.
