Address: 5030 Sudley Rd West River, MD 20778
REFP: 85100
River's Edge Forest Play provides individual and group therapy by connecting children with nature, self and others so they can thrive. We believe nature is our essence and provides the perfect environment for reaching one's potential. Through individual nature-based play therapy, 1:1 sensory integration and nature based occupational therapy and small social awareness groups we support children to reach their potential and thrive.
We believe family is a unit and when 1 part of the unit is hurting then the entire unit is unbalanced; therefore, we support not only the client but the parents in understanding how to best support their child's growth and development. When appropriate we bring siblings into the therapy process.
Limited Spaces
We are a small practice and demand is high, please be patient as we strive to meet the needs of our community.
If you are interested in knowing more about our services please email:
Welcome to REFP’s FORESTtherapy program where we use the clinical practices of mental health and occupational therapy as well as pediatric health care professionals in nature to help children reach their potential. If your child is struggling to make friends, to climb and jump, to regulate and express appropriate feelings, to manage their impulses, or feels nervous, sad or angry we will connect them to nature, themselves and others so they can thrive.
Parenting offers the biggest rewards and joy and can also offer heartache and stress; we are here to help you understand what can help you have more joy and less stress. Children are very “regulated” in their world today and life’s stressors can seem huge and overwhelming causing children to panic and resort to helpless behaviors that look like temper tantrums. The calming influence of nature and our beautiful Forest are our starting place for helping children realize life can be happy and safe and afford them the opportunity to take risks and build confidence and their self-esteem. We challenge children to take risks, to experience new adventures by moving beyond their comfort zones, to use their senses to understand the environment around them thus learning to self-regulate, to take time to breath and quiet their minds and bodies, to connect and engage with the natural world because this is how we are created. Through FORESTtherapy we engage the “whole” child; mind, body and spirit to come into balance creating a malleable brain that can appropriately react and respond to that which life has to offer.
Our mental health program uses the evidence-based practices of play therapy, eco-therapy, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and attachment theory to help a child explore their feelings, thoughts and behaviors to better understand their body and emotions and the “why” behind their actions. Teece Nowell, lead therapist is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the founding director of River’s Edge Forest Play, LLC who has enjoyed helping children thrive since 2005. Teece began her private practice using nature to support childhood development in 2013. Teece loves how nature allows children to feel free, uninhibited, willing to explore and take risk and SQUEAL for joy! Nature is where it's at!!!
Our Pediatric Occupational Therapy program specializes in helping children with developmental, behavioral, cognitive and sensory challenges. OT is a holistic approach that looks at your child’s development in many areas: fine and gross motor development, play and social skills, self-care and routines, cognitive development and executive functioning skills, self-awareness and self-image, sensory preferences and more. OT uses crafts, games, free play, nature immersion, and messy play to reach your child’s goals.
Therapy is a commitment between the child/parent and the therapist. Everyone’s time and treasure is valued. At REFP our guarantee is our therapists are available and committed to the success of their clients. Energy in directly correlates to outcome and success. Let us help you choose the best program for your family to realize your goals.
Foundations:
A great fit for families who are new to nature-based therapy practices and want to get a feel for how it works, or families who have completed an intensive program and are looking to maintain progress with support from a therapist.
Essentials:
A more supportive program that combines nature-based therapy with in home practice work and parenting strategies to manage a peaceful harmonious home so children can thrive. This is our most chosen package and parents say, “the parenting component was priceless!”
Comprehensive:
A comprehensive deep dive into nature-based therapy with individual support and group support. In home program support to keep the work moving between sessions and collaboration from all those involved with the family as well as parenting support to understand behavior and how to support change from a teaching reference rather than a time-out penal framework. The comprehensive package is exclusively for families that are ready and able to work alongside their therapist for maximum impact for their child and family.
A la Carte:
Peer Support Groups:
A nature-based therapy group for children needing to focus on developing social skills - patience, listening skills, turn taking; building confidence - awareness and resilience; regulating emotions – identifying & understanding feelings, coping with big feelings, skill building to self-sooth; mindfulness – body awareness practices, grounding, breath work. Groups are age appropriate and are limited to 4-5 children.
Parent Support Session:
A monthly 60min therapy session for parents who want to improve their parenting skills and awareness. Navigating parenting in today’s world is tough, having clinical support to understand the effect positive reinforcement has upon a child as opposed to an authoritative penal type of consequence to behavior can be life changing.
Occupational Therapy/Psychotherapy Evaluation:
A tailored comprehensive assessment looking at gross-motor skill, fine-motor skills, visual-motor skills, sensory processing, cognitive skills, self-care and social emotional development as well as a comprehensive family intake. Following the assessment, a parent conference is held to discuss findings and develop a treatment plan.
Individual Young Adult and Adult Psychotherapy Sessions:
Weekly individual sessions
We are proud of our unique therapeutic style and have experienced remarkable progress in our clients. We invite you to take the first step of Getting Started on your journey to connection and wellness by completing this form and emailing admin@riversedgeforestplay.com
River's Edge has provided individual and group child outdoor counseling for over 8 years. We are currently re-structuring and expanding our therapy services to include 1:1 sensory integration and nature based occupational therapy services. We will also continue to run small group therapy as we have found these to be very beneficial for children working on play and social skills!
More information coming soon!
Limited Spaces
We will be accepting a limited number of children to the practice in the summer! We are preparing to open full time in Fall 2021.
If you are interested in individual nature based OT services please email:
River's Edge has provided individual and group child outdoor counseling for over 8 years. We are currently re-structuring and expanding our therapy services to include 1:1 sensory integration and nature based occupational therapy services. We will also continue to run small group therapy as we have found these to be very beneficial for children working on play and social skills!
More information coming soon!
Limited Spaces
We will be accepting a limited number of children to the practice in the summer! We are preparing to open full time in Fall 2021.
If you are interested in individual nature based OT services please email:
From a 5yo child
"Ms. Teece helped the monster 'Bob' disappear by helping me to feel strong and big."
Mom of 9yo
"The Forest has provided endless opportunities for my daughter to grow. She has become more confident and self-assured. She has faced her fear of heights and climbed into the tree house, she has learned to cooperate and work as a team player, and she has learned to love nature and not worry about bugs and just relax and play."
After Parent Counseling
"I just need to clone you! I hear you talking in my ear when I think I don't know what to do when my child is having a meltdown. Your knowledge, support and availability have gotten us through many difficult times. Our family is stronger, and we are better parents and we are so grateful!"
From a 5yo child
"Ms. Teece helped the monster 'Bob' disappear by helping me to feel strong and big."
Mom of 9yo
"The Forest has provided endless opportunities for my daughter to grow. She has become more confident and self-assured. She has faced her fear of heights and climbed into the tree house, she has learned to cooperate and work as a team player, and she has learned to love nature and not worry about bugs and just relax and play."
After Parent Counseling
"I just need to clone you! I hear you talking in my ear when I think I don't know what to do when my child is having a meltdown. Your knowledge, support and availability have gotten us through many difficult times. Our family is stronger, and we are better parents and we are so grateful!"
REFP: 85100
Contact Information
Phone: 610-223-2940
Address: 5030 Sudley Rd
West River, MD 20778
Our Location
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Contact Information
Phone: 410-703-6157
Address: 5030 Sudley Rd West River, MD 20778
Our Location