Nature group therapy
for pre-teens and teens
seasonal In Santa barbara, CA
Nature Group Therapy Summer Send off 2025
Enrollment open now
Wednesday, August 13th, 4-6:30pm
A one day therapy group for pre-teens to close out summer vacation together, and prepare for the upcoming school year. Great for pre-teens who may experience anxiety, stress, depression, or are neurodivergent.
This group is an opportunity for your child to learn and practice stress management, effective communication/social skills, and build confidence and agency in a supportive environment.
Through hiking, exploration, mindfulness, and socializing, your pre-teen will gain a deeper understanding and connection in their relationship with our natural world, feeling resourced for the school year ahead.
Please contact me to learn more about this offering.
Seasonal group FAQs
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This group is great for any kid who is wanting more time in nature. In addition, kids who are neurodivergent, experience anxiety and depression, or are stressed out, all benefit from this small group structure in nature.
Group members have reported these groups have improved their moods, helped with focus and creativity, and boosted their confidence in exploring nature.
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We meet at the same spot weekly, with some exceptions to have “field trips”. Location is shared upon sign-up.
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It is absolutely ok if your pre-teen cannot attend the full 8 weeks. I understand that schedules can be busy, and will accommodate as best I can while maintaining the integrity of the group.
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Please reach out if there are any financial limitations that would prevent your pre-teen from being able to attend.
Payment options always include making one payment in full, or making payments weekly. Sliding scale available upon request, with one space available in every group for a scholarship.
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Groups range from 3-4 participants.
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In our Winter and Spring groups, we had visits with bees, baby goats, horses, and Doug from Channel Islands Restoration.
Doug is in charge of the restoration projects for Channel Islands Restoration and has led the group through plant identification and land tending. We plan for continued projects over the seasons, such as seed collecting, weed pulling, and tree planting to measure the groups tangible growth and to give back to the land that supports our healing. https://cirweb.org/habitat-restoration
Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center is open for our groups to visit and spend time with their horses. We get the opportunity to experience in real time emotional attunement and presence, improving embodiment and confidence. https://www.heartsriding.org
Melissa brought her bees in a demo frame she calls “Bee TV”, where participants can watch and interact with every sense (thanks to Melissa bringing some delicious honey!). To learn more about Melissa and her bees: https://melissasbees.org
The baby goats are my neighbor’s Sespe Miller, from Sisquoc Goat Packers. They are focused on Rematriation and land stewardship.
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Depending on the season, participants will need to be prepared for the heat, cold, or rain.
In Summer and Fall, they may need to bring sun protection, such as sunscreen or a hat, as well as enough water and some snacks to help prevent heat related illness.
In Winter and into Spring, the weather cools and we can experience wet conditions. Appropriate shoes for mud and clothes that keep your pre-teen dry will make it an enjoyable experience.
nATURE GROUP THERAPY
summer send off FOR GIRLS 2025
ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW
Thursday, August 14th, 4-6:30pm
One day therapy group for pre-teen girls to meet in nature, celebrate the end of summer vacation, and prepare for the school year together.
An opportunity for pre-teen girls to build a sense of camadarie with one another and nature. We will get to explore our social nervous system, and how we can use it to support ourselves and each other for the many cycles of our lives, and especially through puberty. Improve social skills, increase distress tolerance, build confidence, and experience the benefits of being in a reciprocal relationship with the world around us.
This group will meet once this Summer and have the opportunity to continue into Fall for a sense of community .
See FAQs above or contact me to learn more about our seasonal groups.
Nature Group Therapy for Pre-teens
Fall 2025
September 17th- November 5th
Nature location shared at sign up
Santa Barbara, CA
A supportive after-school group, to de-stress, build resiliency, and deepen one’s relationship with peers and nature. A non-performance based group, for your child to get to grow their understanding of themselves, gain new perspectives, and appreciate the positive impact they have on all beings around them.
nature Group Therapy for Girls
fALL 2025
September 18th - November 6th
Nature Location shared at sign-up
Santa Barbara, CA
The female nervous system is primed for connection. This group allows girls to explore their strength and power for camaraderie and support, both with each other and with the earth. This after school group provides a space to process, de-compress, explore, and connect with what ever is coming up for each group member. In addition, getting to honor the unique needs of each season and what we can learn from mother earth’s cyclical nature.
Your child will get the opportunity to lead, speak-up, disagree, and learn important self-advocacy skills as they help shape the group and our experience together.
Nature Group Therapy for teens
Summer 2025
Co-fascilitated by Kai Krupa, APCC
An opportunity for teens to heal together
What is co-regulation? Co-regulation is a process that begins at the beginning of our lives and continues until we die. It is how we regulate our emotions in a social environment and is key to social wellbeing. When we are in a group, we naturally are co-regulating our nervous systems. This can provide a healing experience of safety and belonging our nervous system needs for us to thrive. When we are able to show up authentically in community, we work like a mycelium network of care. Practice the power of presence, pausing, and play that nature group therapy provides, in a gentle inclusive container.
Winter 2026
Nature Group Therapy
Pre-Teens (10-12)
Teens (13+)
After school
*-schedule getting created now, those first to enroll help determine the time and day we meet