Exploring Therapeutic Work in Nature – 2 day Woodland Residential

The Family Place is excited to be offering a residential workshop to professionals working with children and/or adults who have experienced trauma.

Course Overview

The workshop is delivered in two parts and explores the therapeutic power of working in nature:

Online 1.5 hour evening webinar: Wednesday 10th September 2025 – 7pm – 8:30pm

• Introduction to the model
• Theoretical background and principles of working in nature
• Preparation work for the residential
• Exploration of barriers to outdoor work (risk analysis/risk benefits)
• Opportunity to connect with the group attending the residential

Two day residential workshop in a beautiful woodland setting: Tuesday 16th September 10am – Wednesday 17th September 4pm

• Exploration of different therapeutic elements of working in nature (relationship, sound, visual, storytelling, community, using the natural environment to develop and amplify reciprocity)
• Supervision of current work dilemmas and the way in which this is impacting you
• Direct experience of working and being in nature
• Reflection on the two days and how this can resource your ongoing work
• Opportunity to connect with the group attending the residential

The main residential part of the workshop will be held wholly out of doors in a woodland setting. The group is small and will be led by experienced facilitators who will be responsive to the needs of the group. This workshop will go ahead whatever the weather, with the exception of very high winds, in which case a full refund will be provided. Accommodation is varied, with three accommodation options and colleagues are encouraged to attend together. The costs of this workshop have been significantly subsidised by the generosity of Woodland Park and the facilitators.

Who Is The Training For?

This workshop is for experienced professionals working with children and/or adults who have experienced trauma. You will have an interest in outdoor work and be comfortable living outside for two days, whatever the weather. The maximum group size is 12. A certificate of attendance will be provided but please note that this workshop does not constitute a formal qualification. It will be an experiential and reflective event for professionals who want an introduction to therapeutic work in nature.

Facilitators

The workshop will be facilitated by Dr Vivien Norris (Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Music Therapist, DDP and Theraplay® Trainer), Erika Lyons (MA in Music Therapy, Theraplay® Level 1, also qualified Forest School leader and has Eco Sensory training) both Viv and Erika have a wealth of experience in providing therapy outdoors and working creatively to engage complex families.

Venue and Accommodation

The online evening webinar will be held on zoom.

The two day residential will be held at Woodland Park near Brecon. Woodland Park is 35 acres of beautiful, off-grid, ancient woodland just five miles from the scenic town of Brecon and surrounding Brecon Beacons National Park.

This is a residential workshop and all participants will stay overnight on site. Vegetarian meals and a simple breakfast will be provided.
You are welcome to bring a tent or campervan at no extra cost, or there is limited accommodation in pods and cabins available. Cabins have their own bathroom. Pods will share toilet/bathroom facilities with those camping.

Places are strictly limited. To secure your place on the course book now below. The course cost of £260 includes camping/campervan.

If you wish to enquire about availability of the cabins/pod please email . Spaces are very limited and will be on a first come first served basis and paid for separately.

• Pod – 2 single beds – single occupancy £70 (or share with a colleague and split the cost)
• Cabin 1 – 1 double bed, 1 double sofa bed – single occupancy £100 (or share with a colleague and split the cost)
• Cabin 2 – 1 double bed, 1 double sofa bed – single occupancy £100 (or share with a colleague and split the cost)

Feedback from the course last year was incredibly positive:

‘What a wonderful couple of days we spent together’.
‘This course has really changed the way I’m thinking about working with young people in nature – thank you so much’
‘A beautiful setting and group – feel like I’ve been on holiday’