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Nature Connected Therapy
Forest & Farm
A place where worries give way to wonder...
Nature Connected Therapy
Nature-connected therapy helps people of all ages feel better and cope with challenges by bringing nature—real or imagined, into the therapeutic process. But for children, connection to nature is especially important for their learning and healthy development.
Benefits of Nature
Decreased the risk of obesity
Increased vitamin D levels
Improved focus and attention
Better self regulation
Greater creativity, critical thinking
and problem solving
Reduced anger, stress and aggression
Improved relationship skills
ConnectByNature Forest & Farm is a natural, therapeutic space that ignites all of the senses, inspiring playfulness, growth, healing, and learning. It is here in the forest and on the farm where kids can be kids and therapy and learning become magical.
Play is the natural language of childhood and it is through play that children learn about themselves and the world around them. Play in nature is especially important because it offers the opportunity for children and youth to bridge their internal and external worlds and develop habits of the mind and behaviour that lay the foundation for resilience and wellbeing throughout life.
This includes, for example, imagination, creative self management, perspective taking, risk tolerance, and the ability to
cope with uncertainty and change.
On average children today spend
44 hours per week on screens and
less than 10 minutes a day
playing outdoors.
Outside the walls of traditional clinics and classrooms, our forest and farm is a natural playground. Wild play spaces and interactions with animals invite whole- child learning, development, and healing, simultaneously engaging the body, the senses and the mind through pretend play, movement- based play (swinging, climbing, jumping, balancing,) sensory play ( barefoot sensory trail, mud and berry art, sand pit), constructive play ( fort building) and cooperative play.
For younger children, wildlife and animals become 'playmates' and guides . Their observed behaviours and interactions are creatively woven into therapeutic stories and allegories that communicate life lessons or inspire hope and courage.
But the real magic and mystery of the forest lies in its gentle invitation to children and youth to share their inner world whilst exploring the natural world. This happens without the need for complex language skills or abstract thinking, and is especially important for children who have not yet developed those cognitive and language skills, and for others who may be overwhelmed by worried thoughts or find talking about their experiences too difficult.
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Natural forested spaces are also inherently calming yet engaging and as such create opportunities to work on 'inner life' skills and develop self awareness.
Elements in the forest give shape to the concept of impermanence and create opportunities to observe thoughts in action, practice mindfulness, and adopt different perspectives - all key aspects of social- emotional health and wellbeing; for youth, wild spaces in the woods become a living metaphor for their journey, revealing the obstacles they face, their 'growth edges' and paths forward, as well as their their unique gifts.
Please note: Nature connected Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy services are not covered by OHIP, however the cost may be partially or fully covered by private health insurance plans or other government funding programs under mental health/psychotherapy, occupational therapy benefits, or core clinical funding (e.g. OAP funding).
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ConnectByNature Forest & Farm is not open to the public, but is offered to clients who have registered for nature connected Occupational Therapy, Psychotherapy or Social-Emotional Learning opportunities. Therapy is provided by registered mental health providers, Psychotherapists, and Occupational Therapists.
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General Inquiries:
info@connectbynature.ca
Ph 905-630-1909
© ConnectByNature Therapy Services 2026
A division of BIOPHILIC HEALTH Inc.
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