Thank you!🌿 Thrive Outside — Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What happens now that I’ve submitted the form?

Thanks so much for reaching out! A member of our team will review your inquiry and get back to you to help you find the right fit. If you don’t hear from us, feel free to check your spam folder or follow up.

❓ How long is the waitlist?

We are CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS! Wait times vary by season, therapist, and group openings. If you're reaching out about an individual occupational therapy evaluation, we typically have openings each season. If you’re interested in a group, spots tend to fill quickly. When space opens, we reach out to waitlisted families first.

❓ Where does therapy take place?

Most of our services are outdoors in local Portland parks, rain or shine! We believe nature supports nervous system regulation, builds resilience, and helps kids feel calm and connected. Specific locations are shared after enrollment to protect participant privacy.

❓ What should my child bring to outdoor therapy?

We recommend:

A small backpack

Water bottle

Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, rain gear, hats, etc.)

Any medications or inhalers they might need during the session

We’ll send you a full checklist after registration to make things easy!

❓ Do you offer indoor services?

Most of our programming is outdoors, but we occasionally offer parent consultations, intake evaluations, or screenings via secure telehealth.

❓ What ages do you work with?

We specialize in supporting children ages 4 to 15 through individual occupational therapy and small group programs. Some of our intensives and parent sessions support slightly younger or older children—feel free to ask if your child is a fit!

❓ My child struggles in traditional therapy settings—will this work?

That’s exactly why Thrive Outside exists. We serve many families whose kids have felt misunderstood, dysregulated, or overwhelmed in typical settings. Our approach is:

Neurodivergent-affirming 🧠

Play-based and relational 🧸

Embedded in nature 🌲

We work at your child’s pace and prioritize connection, co-regulation, and safety.

❓ Do you take insurance?

We are out-of-network providers. We’ll give you everything you need to request reimbursement from your insurance provider if your plan offers it. Many of our families use health savings accounts (HSAs) to pay for services.

What if one week is cancelled due to weather?

There are two weeks per season allotted for 2 makeup sessions in case the group needs to be rescheduled due to weather.

What if we are out of town or cannot attend a session?

We don't offer makeup sessions due to being out of town, but if there are other members who happen to be out of town at the same time and the group agrees to reschedule, that might be an option. Although sometimes we are able to do these reschedules, their spot is reserved just for them, and we have to compensate our team for their time they set aside for these group sessions, so we do not offer refunds for missed sessions.

❓ What if my child has challenging behaviors?

That’s okay—and expected! However, since our groups are designed to help kids feel safe in social settings, we never tolerate aggressive or violent behavior or language in groups, and will use problem-solving skills to redirect these behaviors or make recommendations if these do occur. Our team is experienced in supporting children with impulse control issues, sensory needs, ADHD, autism, and trauma histories. We’ll partner with you to create a plan that feels safe and supportive.

❓ What kind of parent involvement is expected?

We believe parents are the most important part of a child’s support team. For individual therapy, you’ll have regular check-ins and a say in your child’s goals. In groups, we often share summaries or insights after sessions. And we offer parent consultation sessions if you’re looking for deeper guidance.