If you’re like lot of the occupational therapists I’ve worked with you may be currently employed as an OT and;

1) looking for ways to work more with nature in your current role OR

2) interested in exploring ideas for getting started in your own nature-based business

Many occupational therapists (and other allied health professionals) who are working in their own business are soooo enthusiastic about finding ways to work more deliberately with nature as a niche marketing opportunity for their service. A focus on nature based services will attract like minded clients with shared values and the opportunity to spend your time with people with whom you can authentically connect and support.

This program is right for you if;

-    You KNOW how good nature is in your own life

-    You might be disillusioned or ‘burnt out’ by the way you’re working as an OT and looking for a BETTER WAY

-    You want to include more nature in your programs or service

-    You may be ‘dabbling’ with the idea of creating your own business

-    You could be a business owner and recognise the value in providing a nature based service for your clients.

- You want to partner with nature to support your own wellbeing - you know you can’t keep ‘giving’ to others without nurturing yourself.

I've worked with OTs from 12 countries in the program who have developed creative, inspiring ideas and programs for working with nature or enhancing their own wellbeing with nature.

You can start small and weave nature into your current role or work, or go 'all-in' and create a fully nature based way of working - what matters is what feels possible ad comfortable and inspiring for you!

It’s really up to you – but I highly recommend attending (or listening to the replay) the weekly 1 hour video group calls. Participants report this as the most valuable part of the experience – an opportunity to really connect and share about life, work, OT & nature.

The process is as much about your reflection, observations and planning as it is about reading and responding to the content – the on-line content, facebook posts and conversation guides the process, but you’re not ‘required’ to keep up with the content. It’s offered if it supports your thinking and helps you take action. Like anything - your benefit from the program will reflect your engagement. Creating a different way of working may take time and effort, but it may also result from increased knowledge, confidence and inspiration - it’s different for all of us and the program enables you to engage at a level that suits what you need.

The most important time is for you to reflect and consider how you will apply the learning to your own practice, and that’s why the program length is 6 months with an option for ongoing membership

As occupational therapists we know that change takes time, reflection and action, so this program is planned to give you the best chance of successfully making a change to include more nature in your work.

So even if you’re

• Working full time
• Working shift work
• Not currently working
• Studying 
• Managing a family

I believe you will find the investment of time invaluable in giving you a pathway to align your personal values and love for nature with your work as an occupational therapist.

Through the program you will find there are many ways to incorporate nature in almost all practice settings. You may also find inspiration in exploring other areas of practice that are based around nature and that may inspire a new direction in your OT career, as part of a community of practice of Nature OTs.

There is a module and coaching around how to communicate to influence - and I've coached OTs successfully in influencing their workplaces and employers to create innovative nature based/outdoor ways of working. Sometimes it really is possible to change a system.

This program is run internationally, and every country has its own registration requirements for continuing education. It is not possible to have this program accredited in every county. I am based in Australia and I can respond specifically to queries about Australian professional development. It is up to each registered occupational therapist to make their own judgement about the type of professional development activity in which they engage and how it meets the requirements. These are my personal thoughts;

I believe this program fits really nicely with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) requirement for a minimum of 5 hours CPD each year in interactive settings and it is definitely evidence based and referenced.

 This is copied from the AHPRA (Australia) CPD standard that applies from 1st Dec 2019

‘To meet this standard, you must:

1. complete at least 20 hours of CPD each year that:
2. seeks to improve patient/client outcomes and experiences
3. draws on the best available evidence, including well-established and accepted knowledge that is supported by research where possible, to inform good practice and decision-making
4. contributes directly to improving your competence (performance and behaviour) and keeping you up to date in your

chosen scope and setting of practice

1. builds on your existing knowledge,

and

1. includes a minimum of five hours of CPD in an interactive setting with other practitioners.’

The description of interactive is - ‘Interactive means learning that involves a two-way flow of information and occurs with other

practitioners, such as face to face or interactive online education.’

The CPD standard requires reflection and application of learning – the focus of my program is absolutely on reflecting and the worksheets and course content guide you through a reflective process of considering how to apply the ideas in your work.

Many health professionals struggle to value themselves and their personal and professional development. We are very focused on helping and supporting others and this often comes at a high personal cost. 

The outcome of this program will be to;   

• affirm your passion as an occupational therapist   
• give you practical ways to implement nature into your work in a way that combines your personal values with your work, so you are working in greater personal alignment, integrity and ease
• support your own wellbeing and implementation of nature connection strategies for YOU
• connect you with like-minded OTs internationally for support, inspiration and encouragement
• spark ideas for your own business initiatives or ideas for collaboration with others to create a nature-based way to work as an occupational therapist

How else could you achieve this?

Of course there are other ways - you could

• Explore the evidence - read…
• Network and connect with others working in the nature connection field - horticultural therapists, sustainability educators - by attending public talks, watching free webinars, paying for other on-line courses)
• Join other professional associations
• Attend conferences
• Undertake further training - (I have completed a Diploma in occupational health and safety, Diploma in Project Management, Grad Cert in Permaculture Design, a Permaculture Design Certificate and an indepth private training in Forest & Nature Therapy Guiding)
• Spend time reading some of the many fabulous books about nature therapy, ecotherapy, horticultural therapy

And potentially get overloaded with information and resources and not necessarily take action to change the way you work and the way you feel about your work as an occupational therapist.

THIS PROGRAM is about fast tracking the process – you will have time, space and support to debate, reflect and have your questions answered. 

After a long history of physical and psychological ‘dis-ease’ including breast cancer followed  by years of anxiety I personally value my own wellbeing so highly now that I KNOW the value of discovering and following my nature based passion and the benefit that gives me for my own wellbeing. I have paid and continue to pay for nature based professional development, spiritual, fitness and business coaching because that’s what it takes for me to work in the way that gives me joy.

So I encourage you to value yourself, ask yourself HOW you CAN fund this rather than why it feels hard. 

I offer a payment plan to pay for the course in 6 instalments over the 6 month period. Some occupational therapists in Australia and the UK have been successful in obtaining grants or employer funding for the program. Funding it yourself gives you the scope to develop your own business with the knowledge gained too.

You may also fit the category for a scholarship position (see next question)

Yes, actually I do!

For International Women’s Day 2022 I attended a business event where there were 3 black women speakers - their speeches were confronting, powerful and challenging.

From my privileged place of white, English speaking, middle class, cis gender, married life I offer these options for accessing cOnnecT with Nature 42% off the full price ($999 AUD with 6 monthly payments of $166 AUD)

It is not perfect, but is my attempt to provide accessible services.

The scholarship price is for you if you are an occupational therapist (or assistant, or student) and;
- live in a country where the economy is classified by the World Bank as low to upper-middle income
- your income as an occupational therapist in the last 12 months has been significantly impacted by natural disaster (e.g., flood, bushfire, cycle, storm etc.) or war.
- female or identify as female and black, indigenous (First Nation), or person of colour (BIPOC)

There is no application process, no hurdles to jump. You just need to message me at 

m.me/BronwynPaynter/ or e-mail [email protected] and tell me a little about yourself and request a scholarship payment link. That's just because I need to manage the number of scholarships I am able to offer.

The number of scholarships offered will be determined from time to time at the discretion of Bronwyn Paynter, Nature OT Pty Ltd. There is no commitment given to offering scholarships at all times.

I do ask you to help me understand your situation, and for you to provide additional information that may help me support your work by completing this Scholarship information form.

In offering this option I am trusting that those people who DON’T identify with one of the descriptions above, or are in a position to be able to offer the full price for the cOnnecT with nature program will choose to honour MY time, expertise, wisdom and generosity as a solo entrepreneur running a (very) small business, and pay the full price for the program.

After all, we’re occupational therapists :)