Where kids and families achieve what previously felt impossible
OUTDOOR KIDS OT
OKOT is a nature-based pediatric occupational therapy practice that addresses social, emotional, motor, and sensory challenges to launch kids into days of joy and success.
Our Mission
At OKOT, we know our tech-heavy modern world is robbing kids of essential experiences they need for a happy and healthy childhood. Our mission is for all kids to have the support and skills they need to feel successful and enjoy life. In partnership with parents and caregivers, we offer playful outdoor pediatric therapy services that connect kids to nature and deepen their relationships with others, fostering a sense of belonging, understanding, and more peace in daily life.
Our Vision
Every child’s life changed. 💚
Through the comprehensive programs we provide at Outdoor Kids OT, we go above and beyond to empower children with social-emotional, sensory, or motor challenges. Once you’ve seen the results of bold communication, combined with the power of nature, and expert skilled OT support for your child’s individual needs, your child’s life– and yours– will be changed forever.
Our Core Values
-
🌟 EXCELLENCE
We offer the absolute highest quality nature-based pediatric therapy services. We constantly surprise families with our level of support, involvement, and results. We’re all-in with every child. Each session, response, and resource is provided with the right blend of energy, thoughtfulness, and the latest research.
-
💞 CLEAR COMMUNICATION
Without a doubt, open and honest communication with parents and caregivers is the secret ingredient to massive success. Around here, you’re respected and listened to as the expert on your child. We're ready to hear your thoughts — the good, bad, or ugly. Always balancing compassion and a no-nonsense attitude, expect to give and receive feedback for the best outcome for your child.
-
🌱 GROWTH-MINDED
We’re big fans of Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset—believing that every child can grow skills with the right support and persistent effort. We celebrate every step of the journey, even the struggles, because the most growth happens when we embrace challenges. We even use the word “fail-LEARN” instead of “failure”—it’s about turning setbacks into springboards for success.
-
🌈 PASSION FOR THE CONTIGO APPROACH
Our entire team is passionate about our role in facilitating Connection & Transformation in the Great Outdoors for your child and family! We’re here to nurture your child’s relationships with others and with nature, to bring real change in their life right now, while building a foundation for them to find solace and peace in nature well into adulthood.
Outdoor Kids OT was born from a desire to reimagine therapy in a way that felt joyful, effective, and connected to something greater.
OKOT’s founder, Laura, was completely burned out after fifteen years of working as a pediatric occupational therapist in traditional settings. She sought a more effective approach by taking small groups of children outdoors for therapy sessions, inspired by the work of Richard Louv, Angela Hanscom, Wilderness Awareness School, and many others.
The therapeutic sessions, infused with the adventure and challenges of nature, were highly impactful, showing profound changes in the children. Her experiences motivated her to launch Outdoor Kids OT in 2015, aiming to share the therapeutic benefits of nature with more families.
Through this work, the ConTiGO Approach was born — a model that integrates Connection with people and nature, Transformation through evidence-based, collaborative therapy, all in the Great Outdoors as the setting for optimal growth.
Developed alongside her PhD studies and dissertation research, ConTiGO has been taught to therapists around the world, helping thousands of children experience life-changing growth through nature-based therapy.
Today, Outdoor Kids OT continues to lead the way in the nature-based pediatric therapy space, helping families through outdoor services that are grounded in relational connection & transformation in the great outdoors.
Our ConTiGO-Certified Therapists
-
Gabbi White, OTD, OTR/L
-
Lia Stratton, MS, OTR/L
-
Eva Resnick, MS, OTR/L
-
Ola Blaszkiewicz, MS, OTR/L
-
Elisabeth Meikle, MS, OTR/L
-
Atchie Bernstein, MOT, OTR/L
-
Ashlyn Southard, MS, OTR/L
-
Ariel Gleaner, MS, OTR/L
Our Admin Team
-
Hannah Faulhaber, COTA
Admin Assistant & Client Care
-
Jowee Pelegrino-Arias
Online Business Manager & Student/Volunteer Coordinator
-
Atchie Bernstein, MOT, OTR/L
Social Media Manager
Our Leadership Team
-
Elisabeth Meikle, MS, OTR/L
Lead Therapist
Elisabeth has been with OKOT almost since the very beginning! She is an experienced OT and a gifted mentor who provides clinical support to all of our therapists, ensuring your child gets the absolute highest quality therapy services.
-
Gabbi White, OTD, OTR/L
OKOT COO (Chief Operations Officer)
Gabbi is our organizational maven who keeps the business operations running smoothly. She manages our whole team, hiring, marketing, and planning for all of our services. She’s a Bay Area native with a Hawaiian aloha spirit.
-
Nicole Storms, COTA, OBM
Financial Manager (CFO) & Executive Assistant
A Certified OT Assistant with decades of pediatric experience, as well as an Online Business Manager, Nicole is the super-organized, planner who helps Laura stay focused on one (or two) projects at a time. :) She is a spreadsheet wizard and manages all the money stuff here at OKOT.
-
Laura Park Figueroa, PhD, OTR/L
OKOT Founder & CEO
Laura started OKOT in 2015 and continues to manage the practice from Madison, WI, after she had to relocate in 2021 to help her husband's aging parents. (And now we have a Wisconsin branch, too!)
We love partnering with families and organizations who share our passion for connection & transformation in the great outdoors.
When you’re overwhelmed, it’s almost impossible to sort through all the available resources to patch together what will work for your specific child and situation.
You need Outdoor Kids OT on your team to provide a plan for your child so you can get to the other side of overwhelm.
