Off the Couch and Into Connection: How Educators and Psychologists Built an Outdoor-Inspired Therapy Practice

By Jolene Siemens - Registered Psychologist

If you had told me a number of years ago that I’d be part of a private practice rooted in nature, collaboration, and genuine connection—I don’t know if I would have believed you. Like many of us, I came from the school system. I was a teacher, then a school psychologist, doing my best in a setting where “doing your best” often meant being stretched thin, moving fast, and constantly wishing there was more time for the kind of deep, healing work kids and families really need.

I loved the students. I loved the heart of the work. But I also knew I was tired. 

It Started With a Walk 

Kristy had this bold, beautiful idea: what if therapy didn’t have to happen on a couch? What if it could happen in motion, in nature, with space to breathe and move and feel?

She started offering therapy outdoors—walking sessions, grounding practices on the pathways in Airdrie and Calgary, gentle conversations under trees instead of fluorescent lights. And it worked. People opened up. They relaxed. They started to heal.

Eventually, Kristy began inviting others to join her. Former colleagues. Educators. Fellow school psychologists who, like me, were ready for something different—but still deeply committed to the work. One by one, she brought us in. She made space for us to imagine something new.

And I said yes.

Becoming a Collective

I’ll never forget the first time we all sat together after I was invited to join the team. Kristy, Jennifer, Christine, and I—all women with school backgrounds, big hearts, and a shared sense that healing should feel different than what most people have experienced. We didn’t start with a business plan. We started with relationships. With trust. With a belief that if we combined our skills, we could offer something truly unique. Then came Karli, Carlin and Nicole…more educators with big hearts and beautiful souls. 

When we come together now, it still doesn’t feel like a business meeting—it feels like a circle of genuine connection and compassion. We train together.  We laugh together. We celebrate each other’s wins, both big and small. We show up for each other in the hard moments. The kind of support we offer our clients? We live that, too, within our team.

Together, we’ve built something rare—something rooted in friendship, mutual respect, and shared purpose.

We’ve built a practice that blends the best of our educational backgrounds with powerful, evidence-based therapy tools. We work with children, teens, adults, and couples. Some sessions happen in cozy rooms. Others happen under open skies. All are grounded in safety, connection, and respect.

Why We Believe in EMDR

One of the most transformative pieces of our work has been EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). For so many of our clients—especially those carrying trauma, anxiety, or stories too painful to keep repeating—EMDR has changed everything.

It’s a powerful method that helps people process what’s stuck without reliving it over and over. We are all EMDR therapists, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most effective, compassionate tools I’ve ever used.

Kristy, always a step ahead in the best way, is now a Consultant-in-Training (CIT) with EMDRIA. She’s mentoring other therapists—sharing her knowledge, intuition, and passion with such generosity. Watching her step into that role has been nothing short of inspiring.

Supporting the Whole Family

Another beautiful addition to our work has been Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). We’ve found that when kids are struggling, their caregivers often need support too—especially in navigating stress, conflict, or disconnection in their relationships. EFT has allowed us to help couples rediscover safety and closeness with each other, creating a stronger foundation for the entire family.

We don’t just treat individuals—we support systems. Families. Relationships. Whole people.

Personalized Assessments That See the Whole Child

Our psychoeducational assessments are never one-size-fits-all. We take the time to observe our clients and understand the full picture—we gather insights from caregivers, teachers, and the individual themselves to explore not just areas of struggle, but also their strengths, interests, and personality. Whether an adult or child is navigating learning differences, attention challenges, anxiety, or something harder to name, we approach each evaluation with curiosity and compassion. Our goal is not to always give a diagnosis, but to offer clarity, direction, and hope. Every report we write is tailored, accessible, and designed to empower—not overwhelm—families and educators alike.

What We Offer—and What We Believe

Here’s a little of what our practice looks like today:

• Individual, child, teen, and couples therapy

• Nature-based, mindful, and movement-informed sessions

• EMDR therapy for trauma, anxiety, and stuck emotional patterns

• Gottman and/or Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)

• Psychoeducational testing and neurodevelopmental assessments

• Parent coaching and support

• EMDR and Couples intensives

But more than a list of services, we offer a place where people feel seen. Where healing happens in ways that feel real, embodied, and sustainable.

From Gratitude to Growth

I don’t take this work for granted. Not even for a second.

Every day, I feel grateful to walk alongside this team—to learn from Kristy’s vision, to grow with my colleagues, to offer the kind of care I always wished I had more time for in the schools. I feel grateful for the individuals and families who trust us. And I feel proud of what we’re building—together.

This practice is proof that when educators, psychologists, and therapists come together with intention and heart, healing can look—and feel—entirely different.

From classrooms to therapy rooms to pathways around the city, we’re redefining what therapy can be.

I’m no longer tired.  And I’m so glad I said yes.