Our Services
Little Fern Forest provides a holistic experience for neurodiverse kids and their families through forest school, camps, therapy services, as well as parent and teacher coaching. Our team of therapy practitioners (OT, PT, SLP), teachers, and support staff host our programming at outdoor locations across Western Washington.
After seeing families thriving and kids meeting goals so much faster, we've launched more service locations under the Little Fern Forest umbrella. Now Little Fern Forest is in more communities, changing lives for more families — one outdoor adventure at a time.
The holistic model of Little Fern Forest combines occupational therapy frameworks, like sensory integration, with nature-immersion and the latest research to support neurodivergent children and their families. Our programs are staffed by occupational therapists and seasoned educators and open to all children, regardless of neurotype. We meet kids and families where they are at and customize their support based on their needs and goals.
Our forest school, camps, outdoor therapy (OT, PT, Speech) and sensory consulting are grounded in the Cedarsong Way- a pedagogy invested in place-based nature immersion, authentic play, child-driven flow learning, compassion scaffolding, and inquiry-based teaching style and documentation of learning. We provide training and coaching in this model for parents, teachers, and other therapists.
Our Approach
Our Team
Emily Bryce, OTL/R
Founder & Indianola Site Director
Registered & Licensed Occupational Therapist
Emily is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist, certified in Ayres Sensory Integration and Therapeutic Listening.
Emily's expertise is in connecting the dots between brain differences, behaviors, learning, and daily life for neurodivergent kids and their families. Emily's quest for high-impact services led her out of the constraints of a pediatric clinic into the vast opportunities of outdoor sessions and services, social opportunities for learning, professional mentorship, and full-service parent support.
Self-identifying as a gifted ADHD-er, Emily is no stranger to the joys and challenges that come with navigating the world with a brain that thinks, learns, and understands people differently. Also as part of the queer community, she enjoys helping navigate this complicated intersection of identities neurodivergent children and teens often face.
Emily currently lives in Indianola with her husband, new baby, and two cats. and runs the original forest school and outdoor OT on her property.
Kimberlee Kelly, MaED.
Bellevue Site Director
Credentialed Educator
Kimberlee is new to Little Fern Forest and was brought on to lead the Bellevue community forest playschool. She is a credential educator, certified in Early Care and Education, with a Master's in Social Justice centered Education.
Engaging, inclusive, and equity -centered learning experiences for learners of all ages - from early care through adult, have been a through line in Kimberlee's work. Her deep love for building relationships and maximizing accessible learning opportunities inspired her to go beyond the traditional classroom, partnering with Emily to offer nature-based early learning and parent education.
As a member of the queer community, who also identifies as ADHD and gifted, Kimberlee is deeply invested in the ways of JEDI (Justice, Equity Diversity, and Inclusion). She has launched school-based mindfulness programs in Southern California and trained professionals across the nation, transforming adult mindsets, curriculum development, and school culture.
Kimberlee currently lives in the Cougar Mountain area of Bellevue, with her partner, new baby, their dog and cat, and the wild deer who peruse their yard.
Our Parent's Thoughts
"Emily has a remarkable ability to connect with my child on a deeper level, building a rapport based on trust and mutual respect. Her strong connection with my child has resulted in meaningful progress. The incorporation of outdoor activities not only provides a refreshing change of scenery but also fosters a sense of freedom and exploration that is truly empowering. I am immensely grateful for the positive impact and the invaluable support Emily has provided."
"Emily Bryce (of Little Fern Forest) holds a wealth of knowledge in neurodiversity and she welcomes it with open arms. I had never seen my child connect so quickly to a therapy provider, it truly warmed my heart and gave me hope for acceptance and growth together."
"One of my favorite things about Emily and her team is their inclusivity of siblings and family members to be present for therapy sessions and forest school sessions. As a parent of multiples this really eased the burden of coordinating so many appointments for my kiddos, also allowing me to be present and share the amazing moments of the outdoors with her and my child."
"I was enlightened to all nature has to offer in the way of Occupational Therapy, it really fulfills all the senses!
So many bright colors to See -
Animals and water to Hear -
Textures to Feel in plants, mud, or water -
Smells of fresh air, blooms, and farm animals -
Even berries to pick and Taste!
These are just a few examples but there are so many progress opportunities in nature!"
"I talk about Emily all the time. She is magic with children. She is incredibly skilled and knowledgeable especially with providing guidance on how to navigate the day to day challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child. And she delivers that guidance with a profound appreciation for the struggles -from both the parent and child’s point of view. She is our family’s best resource and guide in a deep sea of therapists and doctors."
"Emily has been one of the best things to happen to our family! As a parent of a neurodivergent kid, I had felt confused, overwhelmed, and lonely for many years. My daughter has now been enjoying one-on-one OT sessions, playgroups, and summer camps with Emily. I love tagging along because I learn lots of great tools every time I’m there. Emily is easy to be around and her sunny demeanor rubs off on us. It’s like our nervous systems take a deep breathe and long exhale being in her presence. She loves kids just as they are without any effort to “change” them. Trying to navigate the waters of raising up an ND kid is no easy task. Emily is a wealth of knowledge and has been there for me in countless ways. My daughter adores her and looks forward to any time she gets to spend with her. I think it’s easy to say she’s one of our favorite people!"
"Emily is great! Her knowledge from science based information plus hands on experience working with diverse kids gives her a wealth of tools to pull from. She’s helped my kiddo with sensory integration issues, as well as helped determine school accommodations and support. I learn something new every visit even just by sitting and observing, as she works with my teen. I can’t say enough good things about her work and the positive impact Emilys’s had on my child."
"Emily’s strategies for providing support and love for our neurodivergent sons have made a big difference for our family. The kids love visiting the sensory wonderland she’s created in her forest; as parents, we rely on her advice and parenting strategies."
Little Fern Forest is interested in hiring more exceptional therapists (occupational, speech, physical, etc.) to support our clients in multiple locations. If you are an outdoor enthusiast with a love for play-based learning and therapy who is devoted to neuro-affirming and inclusive practices, we'd love to hear from you! Email us your resume and your interest in outdoor therapy at admin@littlefernforest.com
Jobs
Our Therapists
COTA
Puyallup
Zyra
Zyra received her Associate’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Green River College in 2022. Prior to becoming a COTA she graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. She discovered her passion in Outdoor OT and working with Pediatrics during her fieldwork experience and she is excited to be part of Little Fern Forest. She enjoys working with people of all ages. Currently, when she is not working at Little Fern Forest she works in a post acute and rehabilitation facility. During her free time, Zyra likes to go hiking.
COTA/L
Various Locations
Makaylah
Makaylah is a proud member of Little Fern Forest. Her journey began with Emily during her fieldwork placement in nature-based OT. Since experiencing the joys of nature-based therapy, Makaylah has become passionate about all things sensory, neuro-affirming practice, and the neurodiversity experience. Since graduating PIMA Medical Institute in 2022, she has been continuing her education on play-based therapy and is excited to utilize her skills when working with kiddos from all backgrounds. In the meantime, you will catch her in the kitchen making homemade goodies or with friends and family. Her favorite outdoor activity is swimming.
COTA/L
Maple Valley
Tricia
Tricia completed her Bachelor of Arts with a psychology minor and Master’s degree in music performance at Portland State University with the intention of continuing on to music therapy. After much thought, occupational therapy called to her instead and she moved from Portland to study at Pima Medical Institute in Renton. She brings many years of experience through working in the school system and is excited to shift to a different setting with Little Fern Forest. She has always been an advocate for neuro-affirming practices and shares Little Fern’s passion for all things sensory. In her spare time you can find her reading every genre, drinking boba, and practicing viola. Her favorite outdoor activity is basking in the summer sunshine.
COTA/L
Bellevue
Kim
Kimberly recently graduated from PIMA Medical Institute, where she completed her training as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. With a passion for helping others and a desire to make a difference in people's lives, Kimberly is excited to embark on her journey in the field of Occupational Therapy. During her time at PIMA Medical Institute, Kimberly had the valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience during her fieldwork at Little Fern Forest with Emily. It was during this experience that she discovered her passion for working with children and decided to continue her education in pediatrics. Outside of her professional pursuits, Kimberly enjoys exploring the great outdoors through hiking, reading, and pushing her limits at the gym.