Therapeutic Pathways

Outdoor spaces can do more than look nice—they can function as public wellbeing infrastructure. This presentation introduces the Therapeutic Pathways model: a structured, research-informed approach to guiding individuals through intentional garden or outdoor experiences that support stress reduction, emotional processing, resilience, and perspective shifting. It’s designed for real-world settings, from gardens and campuses to parks and workplaces.

This session is designed to explore:

• Why “access to green space” isn’t enough—structure and guidance matter

• How specific pathway elements support regulation, reflection, and meaning-making

• Designing experiences for diverse needs, identities, and mobility/access levels

• Translating therapeutic intention into signage, routes, programming, and facilitation

Participants will be introduced to:

• The core components of the Therapeutic Pathways model

• Practical examples: how to turn a space into a guided experience (not just a walk)

• Options for self-guided, staff-guided, and clinician-supported pathways

• Implementation considerations: safety, trauma-informed design, and community co-creation

This session is ideal for:

• Botanical gardens, arboretums, parks, and nature centers

• Healthcare systems, universities, and community wellness hubs

• City planners, landscape architects, and placemaking teams

• Corporate wellness and campus wellbeing leaders

• Program directors building scalable, low-barrier mental health supports