Occupational Therapy in the Great Outdoors
We are Portland nature-based therapists committed to meeting kids where they feel most at home: in nature!
Is your child struggling? Trust your instinct and get help.
Are they avoiding school?
Is it hard for them to make friends?
Do they become frustrated or give up easily?
Have big emotional reactions?
Are they often anxious or aggressive?
No parent wants to see their child struggle. We can help!
Book an outdoor kids group today.
We incorporate the therapeutic benefits of nature to help your child be more calm, coordinated and confident.
Book a one-on-one occupational therapy session today.
Nature-Based Social Groups
Our groups are ideal for children who:
Need assistance with social skills or making friends
Face challenges with emotional regulation
Have diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or developmental delays
Summer Intensives
The Summer Intensives at Thrive Outside are for you if you want
A space where your child can work on their OT goals in a supportive setting
High impact for your child: Daily therapy for a week
We have 2 spots open for our Summer Intensives. See Below
sometimes the indoor clinic just isn’t the best fit.
The therapeutic benefits of nature are well-researched, and we believe many kids feel more at home outside. At Thrive Outside, we understand that every child is unique, and some may need a little extra support to navigate social situations, manage emotions, or develop coordination. Our Outdoor Kids Groups and Individual sessions are designed to provide that support in a fun, nature-based setting where kids can grow, learn, and build confidence together.
“We've wanted to find a group based OT for quite some time, and when we found Thrive Outside, it was even more than we could have asked for. Not only is the program entirely outdoors (goodbye sterile OT clinics!!), it is 90 minutes. This is unheard of for OT, which typically only lasts 45 minutes.”
—Happy parent
New Client? How it works:
Our New Client Inquiry process is simple, supportive, and designed to make sure every child gets the care and connection they need.
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Tell us a little about your child, your goals, and what you’re hoping for.
📄 (Takes just a few minutes!) -
Before enrolling in a group, all new families complete a mini-assessment and parent consultation. This helps us get to know your child, understand their unique needs, and recommend the group setting that will offer the best support and experience.
This process includes:
A 30-minute virtual parent consultation with a licensed therapist
An optional 15-20-minute meet and greet with your child
A personalized group recommendation/mini treatment plan
Thoughtful referrals if a group isn’t the best fit right now
Mini-Assessment Cost: $250
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We will give our recommendation and send you links to priority registration if one of our groups looks like a fit! Regardless, you’ll still receive valuable insight and next steps. We may recommend 1:1 support, seasonal re-evaluation, or trusted referrals.
We'll guide you every step of the way.
✅ Already worked with us before?
If your child has participated in a group within the past 12 months, you can skip the mini-assessment and go straight to booking.
Feedback from Parents and Caregivers
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My son has loved his group with Dr. Diana. She is a steady, kind, positive, and wise leader who is able to connect with each child in the group at their level. She has provided me with concrete suggestions tailored for my son and has brought the best in him. She’s the best!
-Happy Parent
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Thrive Outside showed my husband and I that [our child] is capable of SO MUCH more when in the right environment and with the right people. A previous OT started to use techniques with [our child] that were borderline withholding and often negative, and we saw the impact that had on [our child]. We said no more - [our child] will only be enrolled in therapy that lifts him up and that he WANTS to attend. The endless support and encouragement Dr. Diana gave [our child] week after week allowed him to come out of him shell and enjoy grow. All of her creative and thoughtful activities engaged [our child] and kept him present and actively participating without any of the negative push back we had seen in a previous OT setting. [our child] went into therapy smiling and came out smiling. An absolute win-win for us all.
Happy Parent
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[our child] is talking more! He is communicating with his AAC, which Dr. Diana incorporated into each activity with [our child], and also with his sweet voice. [our child] spent more time outside with this program, and as a result was more regulated.
-Happy Parent
Want a monthly idea for how to use nature and movement to add to your child’s life?
"The outdoors offers a balanced sensory experience, inspires the mind, and is an ideal setting for evaluating risks and accepting challenges.”
-Angela Hanscom
✨ Need gentle, nature-based parenting support in your inbox? Join our Monthly Inspo List for sensory-friendly tips, playful resources, and encouragement for the season you’re in.