87: Rituals for Nature-Based Group Therapy, with Katie Asmus, MA, LPC, BMP

Katie Asmus is a licensed psychotherapist with three decades of experience in therapeutic nature-based interventions. She joined me today on the TGO podcast to discuss the essential role of rituals and ceremonies in nature-based therapy, particularly for neurodivergent children. Tune in to hear ways you can help ease transitions, address challenging behaviors, and open and close your group sessions using meaningful rituals to give children a positive experience in your nature-based therapy sessions.

Connect with Katie on IG @somaticnaturetherapy or her website https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/

00:00 Introduction

01:29 Meet Katie Asmus

01:45 Understanding Rituals and Ceremonies in Therapy

01:57 The Importance of Rituals for Neurodivergent Kids

02:39 Practical Rituals for Therapy Sessions

06:25 Beginning Rituals: Setting the Tone for Therapy

08:28 Engaging Group Activities to Start Sessions

19:23 Closing Rituals: Ending Sessions with Purpose

27:16 Handling Challenging Behaviors with Rituals

31:02 Final Thoughts and Resources

32:03 Bonus: Free Nature-Based Therapy Activities