Nature-Based Therapy: (re)Discovering the Power of Play and Awe
Engage your playful side and explore the therapeutic potential of wonder, imagination, and joyful spontaneity in nature.
Date and time
Location
Richardson Nature Center, East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN, USA
8737 East Bush Lake Road Bloomington, MN 55438Refund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 3 hours 30 minutes
Therapeutic work outside with clients allows clinicians and clients access to powerful forces that promote well-being and healing. Leaning into playfulness with clients of all ages and being open to experiences of awe are pathways to awakening aliveness. This highly interactive workshop will give participants the opportunity to experience playing in nature themselves and learn how to incorporate nature-based play into psychotherapy sessions with children, and even with adults! The training will include experientials, case examples, demonstrations, small group practice and reflection.
If you have already attended a Nature-Based/Ecotherapy introductory session offered by Becky or Kari, this workshop will provide an opportunity to deepen your practice and build confidence in conducting therapy outdoors.
We will meet outside at Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington. We will be sitting on the ground, standing, walking for about a quarter mile or so in the woods and there will be opportunities for more active play. Please let us know if you have any concerns about mobility and we can figure it out together. Please wear clothing that you can be comfortable in outside for the morning. (See FAQ for the rain plan.)
The providers with Minneapolis Nature-Based Therapy have had more than 5,000 sessions outside with clients since 2021. We have learned so much and are excited to share our experiences; we want this field to grow, for the benefit of clients and providers alike.
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This workshop is part of a series of workshop offerings in 2025. Look for the following listings on Eventbrite:
- Friday May 30, 2025. 9:30 - 3:30 (6 CEU hours provided). Intro to Outdoor Ecotherapy for Mental Health Professionals Registration
- July 28, 9:00 - 12:30. (3.5 CEU hours provided). Somatic Work in Nature-Based Therapy registration
- November 2025, date TBA. Decolonizing Nature-Based Therapy. (will include ethics CEUs). Feel free to email or text Kari to indicate interest in this workshop.
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Discounts are available if you register for more than one workshop. Enter the code MULTIPLE at checkout to take $20 off the cost of each workshop.
Discounts are also available for students and for clinicians from under-represented groups in the mental health field. Just use the code STUDENT at checkout to take $40 off the cost.
You may only use one of the discount codes.
Also feel to reach out if cost is a barrier. We are committed to making this training accessible to all.
Note: Minneapolis Nature-Based Therapy is an approved CE Provider by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Other professions can self-submit for CEU credit.
Feel free to reach out to Kari with any questions. kari@naturebased.care. 612-562-1252.
Frequently asked questions
In case of stormy weather we will cancel by the afternoon before and reschedule, offering refunds if you are not able to make the new date. If it is just raining we will still plan on meeting, spending some time under a shelter and some time in the rain (bring raincoats!) if possible.
Specific directions for parking your car or bike will be sent after registration.
This workshop is tailored for people in the mental health field. However, if you are in a different field (i.e. naturalist, OT, life or health coach, etc.) and you work outside or want to work outside, you are welcome to come see how we practice and how it might be applicable to your work.
Yes. Minneapolis Nature-Based Therapy is pre-approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work to provide CE hours. You will get a written evaluation to complete in person and we will email you a certificate of completion. Providers from other disciplines can submit for CEUs to their boards.
According to the Board of Social Work https://mn.gov/boards/social-work/licensees/ce.jsp, to apply to the clinical content requirement for LICSWs, a CE activity must include at least one of six clinical content areas. This training will focus on: Clinical intervention methods informed by research.
Yes. The tone of the workshop will be informal and interactive, with opportunities to ask questions as we go. In addition, we will stay after the official end time of 12:30 for those who wish to have more informal conversation.