Uncover our story

A young boy playing and exploring a forest with tangled branches and green foliage.
A young girl with a ponytail, wearing a blue jacket, pointing to a park map on a forest trail.
Child riding a pink bicycle through a muddy puddle.

Rachel O’Mahony, founder of Thrive Outside Occupational Therapy is a dedicated and experienced occupational therapist, bringing a unique specialisation to the field: nature-based occupational therapy. She is the first occupational therapist in the country to formally train in the innovative CONTiGO approach, a methodology that champions holistic child development within natural environments. Her pioneering work in Ireland marks a significant advancement in therapeutic approaches for children.

The name ‘Thrive Outside’ was very purposely chosen. We believe it encapsulates the core philosophy of our practice. For us, and for many of the children and families we work with, the outdoors has always felt like a sanctuary - a place that supports regulation and creativity, and a place where we truly thrive.

What is nature-based therapy?

Nature-based occupational therapy is a unique and impactful approach that extends far beyond simply being a 'nice' or 'fun' activity. It is a purposeful, evidence-based therapeutic modality grounded in extensive research on child development, the neurological benefits of being in nature, risky play, and the importance of experiential learning.

This practice is intentionally designed to harness the rich, dynamic environment of the outdoors to achieve specific, client-centred goals. It draws heavily on established principles of therapeutic play, guided risk-taking, and hands-on, practical experiences. By engaging with natural elements and outdoor settings, clients are provided with a complex, multi-sensory environment that naturally facilitates skill development in areas such as:

  • Sensory Processing and Regulation: The varied textures, sounds, sights, and smells of nature offer a unique sensory experience that helps clients regulate their nervous systems and process sensory information effectively.

  • Motor Skills: Uneven terrain, climbing, balancing, and manipulating natural loose parts (sticks, stones, water) provide continuous, meaningful challenges that naturally build gross motor strength, coordination, and fine motor dexterity.

  • Executive Functioning and Problem-Solving: Navigating the environment, building shelters, managing materials, and undertaking open-ended play tasks naturally foster planning, organisation, focus, and creative problem-solving skills.

  • Social and Emotional Development: Collaborative outdoor activities promote communication, teamwork, resilience, confidence, and self-efficacy as clients overcome real-world, tangible challenges.

In essence, nature-based occupational therapy shifts the focus from a clinical, indoor environment to an engaging, natural classroom where occupation - the purposeful activities of daily life - can be practised in a truly meaningful and functional context.