What is Forest School Therapy?
Forest School Therapy is a unique therapeutic program designed to support children’s growth and development in a natural setting. This approach fosters social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development through skill-building activities, play, and relationships.
Each session is guided by a certified Forest School Therapist who has been trained to support children with a wide variety of differences and abilities. Forest School Therapy is a type of adjunct therapy used to support children who are already receiving therapeutic services, who are already enrolled in forest school, or who have participated in our programs and could benefit from 1:1 support.
Collaboration with other service providers is a crucial aspect of Forest School Therapy; we partner with various professionals to create a supportive network for each child.
The Forest School Therapy Experience
1:1 Sessions
Play-Based Skill Building
Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Developmental Support
Family Partnership
Connection and Relationships
Intentional, Goal-Driven Activities
Nurturing
Growth and Development Through
Nature-Based,
Therapeutic Play
Forest School Therapy is an excellent choice for any family that is looking for holistic, play-based, therapeutic support for their child. Children learn, grow, and process through play; when combined with the gentle guidance of a Forest School Therapist, and held in the inherently therapeutic environment of nature, children thrive. This type of therapy is calming for the nervous system and helps the child to feel physically and emotionally safe. We are skilled in supporting children to practice emotional regulation, language development, motor skills, appropriate social interactions, independence, and much more.
We connect with each child and family at their unique starting point. By collaborating with families to create meaningful and practical goals, we equip children with the skills necessary to thrive in group settings, family, and the broader community.
We foster an environment where children feel capable, empowered, and nurtured. By dedicating time to build genuine relationships with each child, we establish a strong foundation of trust and connection. Forest School Therapy embraces a client-centered approach, allowing us to collaborate with the child to customize each session according to their interests and goals.
Collaborating with other service providers is essential to Forest School Therapy. We focus on building a strong support network to provide the best possible assistance for every child.
Forest School Therapy Skill Development
Forest School Therapy Skills:
-
Emotional processing and self regulation
-
Appropriate Social Interaction (safety, connection, turn-taking, cooperation)
-
Appropriate Risk-Taking
-
Developing Emotional Vocabulary, Articulating feelings
-
Critical thinking/higher level processing
-
Expressive and receptive language
-
Motor Planning, Proprioception, Coordination
-
Attention and Concentration
-
Problem-solving, Compromise, Negotiation
-
Frustration Tolerance
-
Empathy
-
Independence
-
And more!
Forest School Therapy can help support children who experience:
-
Emotional dysregulation (tantrums, low frustration tolerance)
-
Aggression (hitting, biting, kicking, throwing items, etc)
-
Transitioning from one activity to the next (reluctant/angry/upset)
-
Low agency in play (is dependent on adults/screens/others to be engaged)
-
Expressive/receptive language
-
Play schema limitations (i.e. has limited skills and scripts in play)
-
Struggle to participate in groups settings
-
Relating to/connecting with others
-
Impulse Control
-
Anxiety
How are Forest School and
Forest School Therapy Different?
Program Features | Forest School Therapy | Forest School |
|---|---|---|
Model Structure | Primarily 1:1 sessions; sometimes very small groups depending on needs | Large mixed-age groups (communal, social learning) |
Activities | Intentional activities chosen to meet therapeutic aims, but still interest-led and play-based | Mostly unstructured free play, child-led exploration, open-ended materials, activity invitations |
Play-Based | Yes – play is central, but activities are more intentional, often designed to support therapeutic goals | Yes – children explore, imagine, and create through free play in the natural environment |
Skill-Building | Individually-tailored; guided by therapeutic goals, often linked to school/home struggles or developmental needs | Integrated naturally through exploration, risk-taking, cooperation, and problem-solving |
Collaboration | Ongoing, structured partnership with parents and other providers; includes collaboration on goals, progress updates, and carryover strategies for home/school | Families are involved through regular communication, shared observations, and individualized support as needs arise |
Support Focus | Targeted support for specific challenges (emotional regulation, anxiety, social skills, attention, self-esteem)
| General support for social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development |
Benefits | Especially beneficial for children needing focused support (struggles at school/home, developmental differences, emotional/behavioral challenges) | Broad benefits for all children: resilience, confidence, social skills, creativity, connection to nature |
Relationship-Based | Yes – therapeutic relationship between child and practitioner is central, with deeper focus on attachment and regulation | Yes – focus on trust, cooperation, and community among peers and leaders |
Strength-Based | Yes – child’s strengths are used as entry points for growth and therapeutic skill-building | Yes – children are supported to discover and build on their strengths |
Setting | 100% outdoors in a natural environment | 100% outdoors in a natural environment |
What does a Forest School Therapy Session look like?
Each session is different and tailed to the child's unique needs and goals.
For a 3-year old who is neurodiverse, a session might include:
- Songs and Games
- Animal and Nature Poses
- Reflective Play
- Nature Art and Creations
- Breathwork (Bumblebee Breath, Lion's Breath)
For an 8 year old who is practicing self-regulation, a session might include:
- Nature Walk and Talk
- Guided Meditation
- Breathwork (Cyclic sighing, Box Breathing)
- Nature Art and Creations
- Journaling
Every session feels like play to the child, and each activity is designed to teach the skills necessary to reach the child's goals.
Offering Structure
Free Consultation
20 minute phone call to see if Forest School Therapy is right for you and your child
Initial Intake and Parent Consultation
An initial meeting to learn more about the child and set goals
Therapeutic Session Package
Each package includes six 1 hour child sessions, progress monitoring, and intermittent parent support check-ins
6 session package: $450
Additional
Offerings
Not ready to commit to a full package? Or have you already completed a package and are looking for less-frequent support or goal maintenance?
Request a single, 1-hr session for $75.
What is a Forest School Therapist?
A Forest School Therapist is a certified facilitator of play and nature-based therapeutic interventions, dedicated to enhancing emotional, social, and developmental well-being in children. They guide children toward resilience, regulation, and self-discovery while holding space for healing and growth in a natural setting.
DFS's Forest School Therapist
Sarah Lemcke
-
Licensed Teacher for Ages 0-8
-
12+ years of working with children in schools and child care centers
-
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
-
Co-Owner and Director of Durango Forest School
-
4+ years working in inclusion classrooms with many needs
-
Positive Discipline Trained
-
Conscious Discipline Trained
-
Crisis Prevention Trained
-
CPR/First Aid Certified
*I am not a licensed clinical therapist and my services are not intended to replace licensed therapy. I am a licensed educator and certified Forest School Therapist who can help build skills and support growth in different areas for children.
Inquire Today
If you think Forest School Therapy could be helpful to your child, please fill out the intake form below or email us at durangoforestschool@gmail.com with specific questions. Families will receive a free 20 minute consultation call to see if it's a good fit.