Endings and New Beginnings
As my placement with Davis Occupational Therapy comes to an end, I would like to share more about my experience with this incredible company.
I was drawn to this placement, as it described an opportunity to develop a nature-based mindfulness program for adults with ADHD and the opportunity to explore nature locations within Toronto. After almost two years of my predominately virtual graduate studies, I was excited to take part in a placement that would allow me to spend time outdoors. I was also greatly intrigued by the concept of incorporating nature into occupational therapy. Nature has been so restorative in my own life and this placement has given me the opportunity to explore the literature that supports the therapeutic potential of nature-based therapy, something I have always believed in. Furthermore, this placement provided me with the opportunity to develop a program to share nature and mindfulness with adults experiencing ADHD symptoms, a population particularly impacted by the pandemic and the recent shift to a majorly virtual world.
Riverdale Park in Toronto is where we have been running the in-person version of the Nature-Based Mindfulness program. This large outdoor space has allowed for walks to be incorporated into our group discussions, as well as for mindfulness practices surrounded by greenery.
Program development has taught me about the importance of tailoring content and program structure to the target population. In particular I learned the value of seeking feedback during the process of program development from the target population. For instance, connecting with adults with ADHD in Toronto and gathering information on their needs, has led to the development of a virtual program in addition to the in-person program being offered. Connecting with these individuals revealed the many reasons why virtual and hybrid programs were preferred by many, such as maintaining safety during the current wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and allowing participants outside of the Greater Toronto Area to attend. I am very excited to now be running the nature-based mindfulness pilot program both virtually and in-person, enabling greater accessibility for our clients to join on this journey. The pilot is currently full, however, more sessions and the 8 week program will be offered in the near future.
In the final days of my placement I will be running the nature-based mindfulness program with my fieldwork partner and collecting feedback from our participants to inform future versions of the program, to make it the best it can be. To have developed the program and now be running it within the eight weeks of this placement is a feat that could only be accomplished with the support and guidance of Alanna and her amazing OT team member Paula, as well as my fieldwork partner Heather. Together they have made this experience so positive and have expanded my understanding of occupational therapy practice and harnessing the power of nature in enabling health and wellbeing.