Well-grounded
Nature-Based Therapies
Well-grounded offers opportunities for hands-on exploration and discovery in local familiar areas to: engage and inspire children, awaken feelings of awe and wonder, and to cultivate connection and emotional balance.
About Well-Grounded
Kia ora, I’m Stacey, a registered mental health nurse and mother to two lively little boys. I have seen, through my own experience and that of many others, how profound experiences in nature can be for health and wellbeing.
I established Well-grounded with a mission: to foster a generation of resilient, happy and healthy children with more awareness and connection to themselves / the natural world / and others. These values are symbolized by the three arches in the Well-grounded logo.
The use of nature for healing dates back to human’s early existence, but its incorporation into modern-day mental health care remains a relatively new area of practice. I am so excited to leave the dry walls and fluorescent lights of the therapy room... to venture outdoors and combine time in nature with therapeutic support. My intention is to bring fresh eyes to old wisdom.
“It is my dream that all children grow up like magnificent trees. Tall and strong. Kind and unique. Helping others to grow.’
About Nature Based Therapy
Nature-based therapy involves structured, purposeful, interactions with nature to improve health and well-being.
The benefits of connecting to nature have been well documented in numerous scientific studies and publications. Collectively, this body of research shows that nature is important to children’s development in every major way – intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically.
Time in nature can help many children learn to build confidence in themselves, calm themselves, and focus.
The psychological benefits of time spent in nature
(Grounded, Ruth Allen)
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Reduces stress and promotes feelings of calm, healing and regeneration through activation of the ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic nervous system
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Increases general feelings of health and happiness
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Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety by increasing vitamin D levels through exposure to sunlight and contact with the microbial properties of soil
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Improves mood and promotes positive emotions through experiences such as contact with animals or observing beauty
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Promotes the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphins, and the bonding hormone oxytocin
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Allows for the development of skills and coping strategies, needed as we navigate our life environments
About Me
I completed a Bachelor of Nursing Degree in 2008 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing in 2012. I have worked as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse, in various clinical settings, for eight years. Before that, I worked in adult mental health services and in general medical practice. I am trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindful Compassion Focussed Therapy, and Adventure Based Learning.
I am concerned about the health and wellbeing of children and youth in New Zealand. Lifestyles have changed dramatically in the last two decades. Children are spending more time indoors, kept busy with digital devices. We have seen rising rates of depression, anxiety, stress and behavioural problems. Exposure to nature tends to soothe and refresh overstimulated brains. Getting children outside has never been more important!
Services I Offer
The four-walled approach can feel intimidating to children. Meeting in a nature-based setting helps to create a sense of comfort and openness.
Well-grounded offers a completely different experience of ‘therapy;’ through play and creativity, movement, exploration of bodily senses, mindfulness and letting nature serve as co-therapist.
Parent and Child Shared Nature Experiences
Learn ways to weave mindfulness and nature-based wellness into your daily life
In today's hurried world, shared nature experience presents an amazing opportunity to put into practice the most important components of strong healthy relationships
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sensitive interactions, free from the many distractions of most households
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affective sharing (responding together over shared sights, sounds and experiences), and
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emotional availability to each other
Nature-full Nature Based Group Therapy Programmes for Children
Nature-based group therapy programmes for children aged 7 - 12 years who may be experiencing challenges with:
emotional regulation, attention, social interaction, sensory processing and responses.
The Nature-full programme provides opportunities for young people to connect with nature and develop social-emotional skills that support good health and wellbeing.