Classes
Classes are open to anyone wanting to deepen their relationship with Nature. Please click on a class below to learn more.
*Unless with special exception, we limit all classes to no more than 12-15 people to maximize participation and personal application.*
For general questions about our classes, including group discount rates, please CONTACT US.
**Classes purposefully do not pull from other cultural practices related to Nature, but rather offer guided reflections and questions to help you cultivate your own unique relationship with Nature.**
Nature-Based Therapy Certificate Class
The Nature-Based Therapy Certificate Class teaches how to foster a professional relationship with Nature. The class will serve as an intro to concepts, perspectives, skills, and techniques that will help you to build your own authentic professional relationship with Nature. The class is rooted in an experiential outdoor learning approach and offers numerous opportunities to engage hands on with the material beyond talking/conceptualizing. Class agenda is different than the virtual workbook classes.
Classes will be offered at least twice a year as a 3-day intensive (18 CE hours) and be hosted outside in a park near Portland, OR to support an immersive learning environment. We are also able to tailor this class to an already established group, and we are able to travel to you to teach this 3-day intensive!
The content of this class is adaptable to your professional needs.
Please click here to learn more about our Nature-Based Therapy Certificate Class!
Virtual Workbook Classes
Virtual workbook classes are intended to be a deeper dive on different concepts briefly introduced in the Nature-Based Therapy Certificate Class.
To optimize personal learning, all classes are taught with a customized workbook. Students will be able to process each chapter of the workbook (asynchronous learning) within whatever space they choose to deepen connection to their near-Nature. Then, students attend virtual processing groups (synchronous learning) each week to review the workbook chapter and additional content. Classes will be intentionally capped at 12-15 students to maximize personal learning.
Workbooks will NOT be available for purchase separate from the class. For further questions about our virtual classes, please review our FAQ
Attuning to Nature's Wisdom: Embracing Nature as a Mentor
Learn how to attune to Nature’s wisdom and embrace Nature as a mentor. Applications of Nature’s wisdom explored in this class may be applied to personal growth, as well as advance professional skills especially for jobs focused on helping others (e.g. therapists, teachers, medical professionals).
6 asynchronous hours; 1 hour per week
12 synchronous hours; 2 hours per week
6 weeks / 18 hour class
A Nature Based Approach to Managing Group Dynamics With Children and Teens
Specifically created for training outdoor school staff, though adaptable for other group settings. Whether new to or well experienced with navigating group dynamics, learn how to promote group environments for everyone to thrive.
9 asynchronous hours; 1 hour per week
18 synchronous hours; 2 hours per week
9 weeks / 27 hour class
Deepening Your Relationship With Nature
Coming soon!
Preparing for Outside Clinical Work: Legal & Ethical Considerations
Coming soon!
Professionally Partnering with Nature: An Activity Toolbox for Any Set
Coming soon!
Your Class Here!
Please contact us if you have an idea for a class you would like to be taught, or you have a class you would like to teach!
Frequently Asked Questions: Virtual Workbook Classes
What is the format of a class?
To optimize personal learning, all classes are taught with a customized workbook. Students will be able to process each chapter of the workbook (asynchronous learning) within whatever space they choose to deepen connection to their near-Nature. Then, students attend virtual processing groups (synchronous learning) each week to review the workbook chapter and additional content. Classes will be intentionally capped at 12-15 students to maximize personal learning.
Is the content of the Virtual Workbook Classes different than the Nature-Based Therapy Certificate class?
YES! The Nature-Based Therapy Certificate Class is rooted in an experiential learning approach hosted outside and offers numerous opportunities to engage hands on with the material beyond talking/conceptualizing. The Nature-Based Therapy Certificate Class class will serve as an intro to concepts, perspectives, skills, and techniques that will help you to build your own authentic professional relationship with Nature. The virtual workbook classes offers a deeper dive on different topics to hold space for individuals to develop their own views and perspectives. Please review class agendas on the specific class pages that you are interested in to have a better understanding of what will be covered.
Why can't I just buy the workbook without taking the class?
Our workbooks are chock full of reflection questions, but no given answers. Classes are intended to optimize application of learning within a diverse community from people around to world. Workbooks were written intentionally as training guides in conjunction with the class. Workbooks are not available for purchase separate from the class.
I'm not a mental health therapist, can I still take a class?
YES! Our classes are intended to be taken by anyone interested in learning more about deepening their relationship with Nature, regardless of personal or professional application. Classes intended only for clinical professionals will be indicated in the description.
What is the benefit of retaking a class?
Our classes are taught with the intention to adapt as you grow on your journey. Retaking a class, especially a year or more after the initial class, will allow you to deepen your application of the content and gain different perspectives with a different cohort of students. If there are class spots open 1 week prior to a class starting, all past students of a class are able to retake a class at a “pay what you want” price.
Are there Continuing Education Credits available?
All classes will meet OBLPCT’s guidelines for Continuing Education and AEE’s Clinical Adventure Therapist Certification criteria. Some classes will also be approved by Oregon’s NASW and will be indicated in the registration.
Do you offer certification in Nature-Based Therapy or Ecotherapy?
Grow With Nature does offer a Nature Based Therapy Certificate Class, and all of Grow With Nature class hours will meet AEE’s Clinical Adventure Therapist Certification criteria if someone is seeking a more broad clinical certification. Grow With Nature intentionally does not offer a specific designation or certification as we view AEE’s designation as the most ethical approach which includes opportunity to be trained from multiple perspectives on a variety of topics.
What is the pricing of classes?
To increase financial accessibility, all classes will be offered on a sliding scale based upon professional status (e.g., student, new professional, established profession). Our pricing also accounts for the fact that we cap our classes to 10 students, this ensures more direct learning opportunities and applications.
Are there scholarships available?
We never want finances to be a driving reason for someone to not be able to take our classes. That being said, we also want to honor the need for balance and reciprocity in order to thrive. If you are interested in enrolling, but unable to afford the class within the sliding scale offered, please contact us as we can likely make financial accommodations.
Will there be in-person/outside classes offered?
Our Nature Based Therapy Certificate Class is offered in-person and outside. For our virtual workbook classes, we recognize that by offering asynchronous workbook and virtual synchronous learning, we allow for people to have more flexibility with attending class, as well as more space to develop a deeper relationship within their own near-Nature beings and spaces. If there is a group of people interested in having a workbook class outside, we can adapt any of our classes to support this format. Please contact us to learn more.
Are there group class discounts?
YES! We can discount a class if you want to take one our classes with some of your close friends, family members, classmates, colleagues, and/or co-workers. Four people is the minimum required number of participants for a group discount. We recommend no more than 10 people per class, though can make accommodations if needed. Please contact us to learn more.
Who teaches all of the classes?
Currently all classes are taught by the founder of Grow With Nature, Alice Nelson, MS, LMFT. That being said, several other people are in process of creating their own exciting content to teach through Grow With Nature! Stay tuned!
Can I teach a class through Grow With Nature?
YES! Grow With Nature was created with the intention to be a hub for different perspectives and trainings to flourish. After all, like a forest with many different species, a diverse community supports balance and resilience. Please contact us with your teaching ideas!