APNC 3.2

[cindy_sell_schulte]

If I were to map out a plan to work with a client for a six-month time period, this is what it would look like, for the most part:

I am going to plan to work with someone who lives at a distance, has email and a printer and a webcam. I will also ask if he/she has a way to play back extended/recordings on their cellphone, as well as take photos. (Isn’t it funny the role technology will have to play, when many times, technology seems like such a hinderance to nature-connection?…). I will need to be very flexible in my delivery, I know, so some of the meetings will have to be in person, over the phone, or even by use of snail-mail. We shall see….

Before we meet, I would ask the client to set aside a binder that is dedicated to ONLY our coaching items. In it, would be simple notebook paper for journalling and all of our assignments. This would be something I would want the client to have handy, most times of the day, throughout the entire coaching experience.

I would send the necessary ‘contract agreement’ paperwork, outlining my role, expectations, payment process, etc.

(1) I would then set up delivery of worksheets that help the client self-rate the aspects of their own wellness with either the Wheel, or a basic chart system that I’ve used in the past. This work will happen before our first meeting. Chances are, the client hasn’t evaluated much around all of the aspects of wellness/wellbeing/nature awareness/involvement, so this should be an interesting first step to be addressed.

(2) The first session would be a discussion about what they want from our experience, (goal), and what they discovered from the Wheel/chart. This might take a couple of sessions, and several journal entries.

After that:

(3) We would “meet” weekly (in person, or by Skype). Lots of listening. Lots of discussion and question asking about the homework/assignments (below) and/or the journalling or Image Book making.

(4) After each of our meetings, if needed, I would send documents via email, or have a specific assignment for each week if needed. (see below for examples). In between times, the client would have the continuous assignment of the SIT SPOT with observation journalling (hopefully daily), and a twice daily required use of a self-made ‘image’ book.

(3.5) I feel like the Image Book is so important because it will be a tool that will help establish the emotions and ‘environment’ for the outcome the client is seeking. I have found this tool to be very successful in my OWN goal-setting, over the years. I would encourage images gathered that include nature like forests, streams, people hiking, people smiling, as well as images of success in the goal (ie: for a relationship issue: couples sitting together, cooking together, whatever OR for career success: words and images of people doing the work the client wants to do, AND many many encouraging words and phrases like: SUCCESS, HAPPINESS, COMFORT, REST, etc). I have made these image books in an actual, physical album, for years, but I have also made them as a slideshow for myself on my computer (using stock images from Googling), and I made a makeshift one on my cellphone in the same way. Anyway, the client will make this item and look at it TWICE DAILY, like medicine, so even when the client doesn’t feel much like going outside, they have the backup that will re-establish the mindset of success and returning to nature for guidance. This is a huge assignment, and it requires continuous adding and adjustment of content, throughout the journey to the goal. This ‘assignment’ may take up another month’s worth of ‘homework’, depending on the client. Just making the item, alongside journalling, nature observation, and meeting with me, may be enough time to dedicate toward the goal.

Each client will be different, so I must remain flexible in my delivery, and have other assignments available when needed (below).

(5) Besides assignments, homework, (below) I will record meditations for relaxation, using nature sounds as a backdrop, similar to the SEVEN STEPS meditation.

(**) Some ideas for ‘homework’/assignments will include: rock-stacking/balancing (of course—balancing and finding that innate sense of keeping things in line/working with nature), nature sculptures (similar to what Michael described doing with his client in the final video class), mimicking bird calls and songs and ‘doodling’ what the client is hearing (noticing patterns and familiarities—and then journalling on familiar patterns that relate to their goal), storytelling, yoga and tai chi outside, cooking or preparing foods out in nature and/or eating fresh fruit from a vine/tree, camping overnight if possible, fishing, saving a bug/spider and not smashing it, identifying leaves/trees/animal tracks, following tracks, growing a plant from seed, etc, etc…

(6) I want to allow each assignment to connect an emotion, an experience via the use of the five senses, and Nature, and throw a lot of creation time in, so the client becomes aware that he is able to create things from what he knows/ what he has/ he innately knows the best ways, etc. Even when the client experiences ‘failure’, I want the client to report back their feelings and next steps for that assignment (prep for ‘failure’ and re-direction/abandonment in the stages toward an established goal…)

By the way: I have a couple of people in mind to work with in a town that is an hour away, but I haven’t talked to them about it, yet, because I have another (unrelated) certification to complete (required for my current work situation) before I am able to put more ‘on my plate’….so…

(!!!) I would really like to form weekend workshops with small groups of people, using some of these same ideas, but that will come.

That will come.

Best wishes to everyone, on whatever stage of your journey with NB Coaching.
It has been a pleasure.

[Joshua Maze]

I will offer myself through various technological methods, in order to reach my client. Our first conversation will be held over the phone or on a video chat like Skype or zoom.

In this initial conversation, we will discuss basic housekeeping items, like scheduling, pricing, and the importance Nature Connection to our sessions.
From there, we would meet as often as is comfortable for the client (with a recommendation of biweekly). My plan is to utilize the many state and local parks and trails throughout Indiana as our therapeutic locations. I want to hike alongside my clients while serving as their guide. We could explore different parks and locations throughout our sessions. Maybe increasing the trail difficulty as we go, utilizing more advanced trails, for cathartic sessions.

I will utilize many of the exercises taught in this course. One of the first I will attempt in person is the 7 breaths exercise. I think this serves as a good icebreaker to really see where the person is, so that we can focus on the most pressing issues. This is a good exercise to come back to periodically to assess progress and see if the guiding needs to focus on another area of concern for the client. I will also incorporate some of the 360 exercises.

I was really inspired by Cindy’s idea to have the client keep a journal, detailing the sights and sounds of their outdoor adventures. As appropriate for the client, I may incorporate journaling or art work into the homework sessions.

I really enjoyed this class and look forward to learning more as I work toward my NCC certification. Thanks to all involved for this experience.