Taking the Stress out of Mealtime
Outdoor Feeding Therapy Workshops for Ages 3-12 in Maryville, TN
Our Outdoor Feeding Therapy offers a nature-based, small-group experience that helps kids with sensory challenges, ARFID, and food-related difficulties build positive relationships with food while having fun- without the clinical office!
Now Accepting Applications for Fall Feeding Groups!
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September 2- October 24
8 Week Semester
Ages 3-12
Groups meet at Jarvis Park-Maryville, TN
Spots available for both Therapeutic & Community Enrollment
Deadline to Apply August 14
Note: all age-ranges are approximate. We make decisions with parents & guardians about placement in a group that is best for your child. Typically, groups have about a 3-year age mix (for example: 7-9 year-olds).
Why it Works
Nature is the Best Dining Room!
The outdoors naturally lowers stress hormones, activates the body's calming systems, and shifts a child's nervous system into a state of curiosity — exactly where feeding progress happens.
☀️ Reduced Anxiety
Natural settings lower cortisol, making new food experiences feel safer and less threatening.
🌱 Sensory Grounding
Outdoor sensory input (sounds, textures, air) regulates the nervous system before food is even introduced.
🫱🏽🫲🏼 Peer Modeling
Kids watch other children explore foods with curiosity — no pressure, just possibility.
😁 Joyful Association
Food introduced during fun, playful outdoor moments builds positive memories around mealtimes.
Are Our Feeding Groups for You?
Does your child…
love playing outdoors?
Refuse foods based on texture, smell, or appearance?
Have a very limited range of accepted foods?
Experience meltdowns or shutdowns at mealtimes?
Gag, cough, or show fear around new foods?
We Serve Kiddos With…
ARFID
Sensory Processing Disorder
Autism
Picky Eating Habits
Other Feeding Disorder
No Formal Diagnosis Needed!
You are the expert on your child!
You may not have a diagnosis, but your kiddo is experiencing feeding challenges that are making mealtime a battle!
Unsure if it’s the right fit?
Let’s Talk!
Our Approach:
Low Pressure. High Curiosity. Real Progress
We use a sequential, play-based approach to feeding that reduces pressure and gradually expands food tolerance — drawing on established feeding therapy frameworks and a nature-based therapy approach— meeting your child exactly where they are.
Play First. Food Second
Every session begins with outdoor movement and play to regulate the nervous system before food is introduced. A calm body is a curious body.
Systematic Desensitization
We follow your child's lead — from tolerating a food nearby, to touching, smelling, and eventually tasting — without pressure or rushing.
Caregiver Coaching
You'll leave every session with real strategies to reduce mealtime stress at home. Feeding progress has to happen outside of therapy too.
Community & Connection
Small group size means your child gets individualized attention while also experiencing the magic of peer modeling — watching friends explore new foods with joy.
We offer two participation options:
Both options participate in the same outdoor group experience. The difference is the level of clinical support your child receives.
Group Enrollment Options
🌿Therapeutic Enrollment
⭐Most Popular - Skilled OT with Parent Consultation
Best for children with specific developmental, social, or sensory goals who would benefit from individualized OT support.
$1,335 / 8-week semester
Payment plans available · $250 deposit to hold your spot
What's included:
Initial assessment & individualized goal planning
8 weekly 90-min. outdoor group sessions
Private parent consultation calls with your OT
Weekly session notes & progress updates
Ongoing therapist access before & after each session
Home strategies to reinforce goals between sessions
Groups are small (2–6 kids) and fill quickly.
🌱 Community Enrollment
Best for children who would thrive in a nature-based outdoor after-school play group but don't require formal OT services or individualized goals.
$400 / 8-week semester
Payment plans available · $250 deposit to hold your spot
What's included:
8 weekly 90-min. outdoor group sessions
Full participation in all group activities
OT-informed, sensory-rich outdoor experiences
Peer connection & social skill building
Supportive, inclusive group environment
Note: community enrollment does not include individual assessment, goal-setting, parent consultations, or formal OT documentation.
Not sure if this is the right fit?
We would love to connect with you to help guide you toward the best next step for your family!
Therapeutic Group Enrollment
Comprehensive & Intentional OT support including individualized goals, private parent consultation, and therapist-guided strategies woven into meaningful outdoor play and food experiences.
What is Included?
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We formulate an individualized plan of care for each child in our groups!
A skilled assessment is conducted over the first 2 sessions along with a private goal planning session with your therapist to determine the most important goals for your child.
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OT Groups are held weekly and are led by our expert therapist with at least one supporting volunteer staff to ensure your child’s safety.
During these groups, we skillfully facilitate structured and unstructured play through exploration, outdoor games, nature crafts, and nutritious snack time to build address your child’s unique goals!
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You will have the opportunity to meet privately with your child’s therapist via phone or video call during the semester to provide you with additional strategies for use at home to improve carryover of your child’s goals.
We believe that caregiver partnership is vital to the therapeutic process! We value this chance to collaborate with families to help train, equip, and encourage parents and caregivers so that you can confidently support your child!
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You will have access to your therapist before and after each group to ask questions and provide updates on your child’s progress!
OT Group Participant Pricing
$1,335 per 8 Week Semester Package
Payment options include one time payment or equal monthly payments throughout the semester.
A $250 deposit will be due within 48 hrs. of receiving acceptance into one of our groups.
Groups are intentionally kept small (2–6 children) and often fill quickly!
Community Enrollment
A welcoming, OT-informed cooking workshop experience where children can have fun experiencing new foods, building developmental skills, and having fun with new friends!
What’s Included?
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Children fully participate in the same thoughtfully designed nature-based experiences as all group members.
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Engaging hands-on experiences that support regulation, confidence, movement, and exploration through nature. -
Opportunities to build friendships, practice social skills, and learn alongside peers in a collaborative environment.
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A welcoming group space where children are encouraged to participate, explore, and grow at their own pace.
Community Enrollment Pricing
$400 per 8 Week Semester Package
Payment options include one time payment or equal monthly payments throughout the semester.
A $250 deposit will be due within 48 hrs. of receiving acceptance into one of our groups.
Payment for Wild Roots OT Groups
Wild Roots OT is a private pay therapy practice. We desire to provide the highest level of individualized care for our clients; therefore, we do not accept medical insurance. This allows us to provide services that go above and beyond with the freedom to practice in a family-centered way.
If you are a Katie Becket Waiver Recipient, we can provide a letter of medical necessity to provide for reimbursement.
If you have out-of network benefits through your medical insurance, we offer superbills (paid-in-full invoices) upon request, if you choose to submit to your insurance for reimbursement after services have been provided. it is your responsibility to check with your insurance provider regarding your benefits. Please contact your insurance company before beginning therapy to verify your out-of-network benefits and your insurance company's requirements for submitting a superbill.
We offer package pricing with one-time or monthly payment options over the course of the program. Adjusted pricing and/or scholarships are offered for low-to-moderate income families when funding is available. Please reach out to us at wildrootsot@gmail.com and we can further discuss the scholarship process.
FAQs
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Sessions begin with outdoor movement and play to regulate the nervous system, then transition to a relaxed group food exploration experience — tasting, smelling, handling, or simply being near foods at your child's pace. Sessions close with a brief caregiver check-in and strategies to try at home.
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No diagnosis is required! If mealtimes are stressful and your child has a limited diet, this group may be a wonderful fit. Reach out and we'll talk through it together!
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Nicole is not SOS-certified, but draws on SOS principles alongside her OT training and ConTiGo Approach certification to inform her feeding therapy practice. She'll let you know if a higher level of specialized feeding evaluation is recommended for your child.
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There is a pavilion onsite where we will hold our session in the case of rain. We believe all-weather play has therapeutic value!
Sessions are canceled only for lightning or severe hazardous conditions. Families receive a weather guide and packing list so kids are dressed and ready for anything!
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Groups are intentionally created—not random. We consider each child’s needs, personality, and goals to ensure a supportive and balanced group dynamic.
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Yes—payment is available in either one lump sum or equal monthly payments. We’re happy to discuss options during the enrollment process!