Occupational Therapy Services

A gentle, nature-based approach
to whole-child development

A Nature-Based OT Clinic Unlike Any Other

We specialize in pediatric occupational therapy that takes place outdoors in the fields, forests, and gardens surrounding our farmhouse clinic. Whether your child struggles with regulation, coordination, executive function, sensory challenges, or social participation, our therapy environment offers a nurturing space where growth feels natural.

Our sessions blend traditional OT techniques with nature-based experiences—helping children move, explore, regulate, and connect in meaningful ways.

Rooted in evidence-based OT practices
Sensory-rich and regulation-supportive environment
Trauma-informed, relationship-based care
Individualized plans tailored to each child’s strengths and needs
Designed for neurodivergent and developmentally diverse learners

Take The Leap- Nature Led, Heart Centered, Truly Different

Why Families Choose Willow Tree OT

What Sets Us Apart--and Why Therapy at Willow Tree Is Worth the Investment

Nature: A Living, Changing Therapy Partner--
For Growing Skills, Senses, & Confidence-
All Year Round

At Willow Tree, nature isn’t just a backdrop — it’s an active partner in every therapy session.
The fields, forests, and gardens around us offer movement, regulation, calm, and connection. Nature supports therapeutic growth in ways no indoor setting can.

Seasonal rhythms build skills and self-sufficiency.
From planting seeds in spring to harvesting apples in fall, children gain motor planning, coordination, and independence through meaningful, seasonal tasks.

Real-life experiences develop lifelong tools.
Gardening, foraging, and seed-to-table food prep support emotional regulation, sensory processing, executive function, and daily living skills — all while building confidence and a sense of purpose. We're helping children gain real-world tools that will support a joyful, productive life-far beyond the challenges they are facing today.

Nature creates a responsive, ever-changing sensory environment.
Children explore mud, snow, blossoms, and dry leaves — engaging texture, smell, and movement in ways that stimulate their senses and strengthen visual perception, balance, and attention. A child might track animal prints to build visual perceptual skills, pick wildflowers or apples, or quietly observe insects up close — all while working toward therapeutic goals.

Connection to place fosters emotional grounding.
As children learn to recognize and interact with the land —recognizing what the land provides--beyond its natural beauty — they build a lasting connection that supports resilience and self-awareness.

Nature helps children ground themselves, regulate their emotions, and feel more at ease — fostering confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging in every season.

Therapy That Grows Connection-To Themselves, Each Other, &
The World Around Them

At Willow Tree, connection is at the heart of growth.
We create therapy experiences where children feel safe, seen, and part of something meaningful. Whether it’s sharing a garden task, joining a circle, or making something to give to others — every session supports confidence, emotional growth, and community connection in a natural, joyful way.

One-on-one therapy, with natural moments of peer interaction.
Even individual sessions don’t happen in isolation. When therapy takes place alongside our nature enrichment groups, children can practice social skills in real time — supported by their therapist every step of the way. We flow between focused one-on-one work and gentle group participation, based on each child’s needs and readiness.

Over time, many children transition into full group participation outside of therapy — a milestone for those who’ve struggled in traditional social settings.

Compassionate action builds purpose and connection.
Through our CommunOT Blessings program, children take part in simple, meaningful acts of kindness — like growing and arranging flowers for local elders. These moments nurture empathy, creativity, and a deepened connection to their community- helping children to recognize their ability to make a difference.

Therapy here is more than skill-building.
It’s about helping every child discover their strengths, connect with others, and know they have something meaningful to offer the world.

A young boy proudly holds a vase of handpicked flowers and a message card he created for a homebound elderly neighbor as part of our Commun-OT Blessings program—an occupational therapy initiative that fosters empathy, fine motor skills, and community connection through purposeful giving.

We Listen Beneath the Behavior--
Believing Children Do Well If They Can

Not all children can use words to share what they’re thinking or feeling. Simple joys like a bird’s song or the breeze on their face may go unspoken — and so might their needs, discomforts, fears, and frustrations. When a child can’t express what matters to them, those feelings often come out in other ways — sometimes as big behaviors.

At Willow Tree, we slow down and listen in every way we can. We observe behavior with curiosity and compassion, not judgment. Instead of trying to manage or fix behavior, we ask: What is this child trying to tell us?

We look for the need beneath the behavior.

Every action is communication. Our goal is to uncover the underlying need — whether sensory, emotional, relational, or communication-based — and respond in a way that supports true connection and regulation.

We honor all forms of communication.

For children who don’t yet use words, we meet them where they are. Whether they communicate through gestures, expressions, play, shared experiences, picture symbols, or AAC, we listen — and we respond with patience, curiosity, and respect.
We provide individualized supports like low-tech symbol boards and incorporate AAC device integration, always building trust and supporting their use in meaningful ways.

We build trust through consistency and care.

Growth begins with safety. We offer consistent, compassionate support that helps each child feel secure, understood, and ready to engage.

We collaborate closely with families.

Children don’t exist in a vacuum — changes in sleep, routines, school, medication, or life stressors often influence behavior. We stay in close communication with families to understand the full picture and respond with deeper insight, compassion, and care.

We know that every behavior is communication, and believe every child deserves to be heard — even when they don’t yet have the words.

A Home Away from Home--
Our Indoor Therapy Space

While much of our therapy takes place outdoors, we’re also lucky to have a cozy indoor space that’s anything but clinical. Housed in a lovingly restored 200-year-old farmhouse, our indoor therapy space is:

Warm, welcoming, and intentionally non-clinical.
Designed to feel like home — not a medical office — this nurturing environment helps ease the fears of children who may feel anxious in traditional clinic settings.

Calm, safe, and sensory-friendly.
Here, children can explore sensory and skill-building activities at their own pace, free from the distractions of overly busy or overstimulating environments. For many families, it becomes a trusted retreat — where therapy feels like connection, not intervention.

Rooted in movement, imagination, and joy.
Whether we’re inside or out, our spaces are designed to spark curiosity and engagement through meaningful, purpose-filled activities — the kind that naturally lead to confidence, connection, and growth.

Our spaces--both inside and outside--are rooted in movement and imagination, designed to be engaging and bring joy, through purpose-filled activities that naturally lead to confidence and growth.

We Put Families First--
Including Our Own

At Willow Tree, we believe the well-being of families is at the heart of meaningful therapy. That includes the families we serve — and the families of our therapists and team members. When everyone feels supported, connected, and valued, everyone grows.

Parent Partnership Is a Priority

We take the time to listen to what matters most:
• The challenges you're navigating
• The hopes you hold for your child
• The strengths you see every day

Your insights shape the therapy process. Together, we create family-centered goals that are practical, empowering, and aligned with your values.

Practical Support That Fits Daily Life

We know parenting can be overwhelming — therapy shouldn’t add to that. We offer low-tech, easy-to-use strategies that fit into your real routines. These tools build confidence and carry over into everyday moments, helping you support your child’s growth far beyond the therapy hour.

A Family-Friendly Workplace Makes Better Therapy

We also care deeply about our own team’s well-being. When our therapists are supported at home — with flexible schedules, the option to bring their children along, and room for meaningful family time — they’re able to show up with more presence, creativity, and joy.

When therapists are thriving, families feel the difference.

Because when all families — yours and ours — feel seen, supported, connected, and valued everyone benefits.
And that’s the kind of care we believe in.

Take the Leap--
Experience the Power of Therapy Without Limits

Your therapist is your "person".
At Willow Tree, we believe therapy works best when it’s built on trust and connection- that developing a long-term relationship with your therapist is important for all involved. When your child feels safe and known, therapy becomes a place for real growth — not just appointments on a calendar.

We Provide an Experience That Puts Your Family First.
No long waits. No rushed sessions. No distractions. We slow it all down. We create a peaceful. welcoming space where your child is truly seen, heard, and cared for --because presence matters more than paperwork, and connection always comes first.

We empower parents.

We are able to serve the whole family with depth and presence, leading to an empowerment model that equips parents. You’ll leave sessions with tools and clarity — so therapy continues beyond our sessions and into your child’s daily life.

We Provide Continuity of Care and Creativity Tailored to Your Family's Needs
Unlike traditional models that rely on rigid insurance rules, our approach puts your family's priority's front and center. We don't deliver cookie-cutter- therapy-- instead we build a relationship with you that guides every step of the process.

Insurance often sets limits that don’t match how children actually grow. We stay with your child through plateaus, breakthroughs, and all the in-between moments.

Insurance might say your child has plateaued. We know they’re just getting started.

You invest in therapy — we invest in your child.
Your choice to partner with us means your child receives care shaped by their unique needs, and gives them the individualized, relationship care that creates lasting change. This is therapy designed for joy, connection, and lasting impact.

This is a place where your child is truly known, where your family's goals guide the journey, and where progress is measured by connection, confidence, and feeling supported every step of the way.

Clinic-Based Occupational Therapy

Our clinic-based occupational therapy sessions support the whole child—building strength, regulation, confidence, and connection through meaningful, nature-infused experiences.

To begin services, we ask that you obtain a referral from your child’s primary care provider. The first step is a comprehensive OT evaluation, where we’ll explore your child’s strengths and areas of need. From there, we create an individualized treatment plan that supports growth through outdoor movement, natural materials, imaginative play, and everyday tasks—all guided by your child’s interests and goals.

Therapy sessions take place outdoors as much as possible, with natural elements brought indoors when needed. Please dress your child for the weather—rain, snow, or shine!

Partnering With Families

We believe that meaningful change happens not only in the therapy space but in the everyday moments of home and community life. That’s why our model includes parent coaching sessions woven into the treatment plan—designed to help families better understand their child’s needs and feel confident supporting them outside of therapy.

These collaborative sessions focus on building strategies together, reviewing what’s working (or not), and aligning around goals. We see your input as essential—and your engagement at home as a powerful part of your child’s success.

This is not a “drop off and pick up” model. Instead, we invite you to be an active part of the journey—trying tools, giving feedback, and growing alongside your child.

School-Based Occupational Therapy

We provide contracted OT services to schools and districts in our region.

Our school-based therapy focuses on helping students access their education by addressing needs related to attention, regulation, sensory processing, fine motor coordination, and executive function.

Unlike clinic-based services, school-based OT is guided by a child’s educational goals and Individualized Education Plan (IEP). We collaborate closely with educators and families to ensure each child can participate fully in the classroom and school environment.

Interested in partnering with us or learning more about school-based services?