Group Therapy & Programs
Growth Happens Outside the Office.
Our group programs bring evidence-based psychotherapy into the calm of a working farm. Led by Registered Psychotherapist Jenny Schroeder, each program meets people where they are, using nature, animals, and creative connection to make real growth feel safe and unhurried.
Who they're for
Age-Specific Programming
We offer tailored group programs for children, teens, and adults, each built around the developmental stage and needs of its participants. Whether it is a child learning to name big feelings, a teen looking for belonging, or an adult moving through a life transition, our groups create space to feel supported, understood, and capable.
Children | Teens | Adults
How they work
Types of Group Therapy
Our programs are experiential. Rather than only sitting and talking, participants learn by doing, in nature and alongside others who understand.
Nature-focused
Time outdoors is both the setting and the medium. Spending time in green space calms the nervous system and helps people feel grounded enough to do deeper work. This is registered psychotherapy delivered through the healing power of the natural world.
Read more about Nature Based Therapy →
Joschko L, Pálsdóttir AM, Grahn P, Hinse M. Nature-Based Therapy in Individuals with Mental Health Disorders, with a Focus on Mental Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature-A Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 25;20(3):2167. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032167. PMID: 36767534; PMCID: PMC9914984.
Animal and Equine-assisted therapy
Working alongside calm, gentle horses and various other farm animals supports emotional awareness, confidence, and connection. With an uncanny way of creating calm and being in the moment, animals bring the healing in session to a whole other level.
Read more about Equine-assisted therapy →
Brandão, C., Sampaio, M., Sousa-Gomes, V., Fávero, M., & Moreira, D. (2025). Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Anxiety Reduction in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(1), 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14010287
Højgaard-Bøytler, J., & Argentzell, E. (2023). Experiences of Equine Assisted Therapy and Its Influence on Occupational Engagement among People with Mental Health Problems. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 39(4), 394–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2022.2156428
Art and Play Therapy
Creative and play-based therapeutic activities give younger participants a low-pressure way to explore their feelings, build skills, and express what can be hard to put into words.
Read more about Art and Play Therapy →
Shukla A, Choudhari SG, Gaidhane AM, Quazi Syed Z. Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review. Cureus. 2022 Aug 15;14(8):e28026. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28026. PMID: 36134083; PMCID: PMC9472646.
Gupta N, Chaudhary R, Gupta M, Ikehara LH, Zubiar F, Madabushi JS. Play Therapy As Effective Options for School-Age Children With Emotional and Behavioral Problems: A Case Series. Cureus. 2023 Jun 7;15(6):e40093. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40093. PMID: 37425518; PMCID: PMC10328142.
Psychoeducation
Practical, evidence-based learning that helps participants understand what they are experiencing and what genuinely helps, so they leave with tools they can use in everyday life.
Read more about Art and Play Therapy →
Skliarova T, Pedersen H, Holsbrekken Å, Pedersen SA, Mandal A, De Las Cuevas C, Havnen A, Gråwe R, Lara-Cabrera ML. Psychoeducational group interventions for adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: a scoping review of feasibility, acceptability, and outcome measures. BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Jun 20;24(1):463. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05908-8. PMID: 38902683; PMCID: PMC11191191.
Faridhosseini F, Baniasadi M, Fayyazi Bordbar MR, Pourgholami M, Ahrari S, Asgharipour N. Effectiveness of Psychoeducational Group Training on Quality of Life and Recurrence of Patients with Bipolar Disorder. Iran J Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;12(1):21-28. PMID: 28496498; PMCID: PMC5425348.
Upcoming Programs
Roots and Wings series
Roots and Wings is a series of four-week mini programs for children and youth, designed to build resilience, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.
Through nature-based, experiential, and animal-assisted activities, participants explore self-esteem, friendship skills, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, coping with anxiety, and more.
Each group is led by Registered Psychotherapist Jenny Schroeder and co-facilitated by a trained staff, with a maximum of 4 participants so every child receives personalized support in a safe and nurturing environment.
Featured: Sprouts (Grades 3 to 5)
A nature-based, experiential, and animal-assisted psychotherapy group for children experiencing anxiety.
Sprouts is a small-group psychotherapy program created to help children in grades 3 to 5 (2026/2027 school year) develop the skills they need to manage big emotions, build confidence, and thrive. Rooted in evidence-based practice, it combines nature-based psychotherapy, experiential therapy, animal-assisted psychotherapy, play therapy, and creative arts to support emotional growth and resilience.
The program is informed by the research of Dr. Mary Alvord, whose work on child resilience emphasizes social competence, emotional self-regulation, problem-solving, optimism, and adaptive coping. Each session is designed to help children build resilience while gently working with common challenges like worry, avoidance, perfectionism, self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, and stress.
-
Program: Sprouts
Grades: 3 to 5 in the 2026/2027 school year
Group size: maximum 4 participants
Dates: August 13, 20, 27, and September 3
Time: Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session length: 2 hours
Location: primarily outdoors in a nature-based setting at the clinic address
Facilitator: Jenny Schroeder, Registered Psychotherapist
Program fee: $125 per session
Commitment: registration includes the full four-week mini-series. Children are asked to attend all four sessions to support group cohesion, skill development, and therapeutic progress.
Insurance: services may be eligible for reimbursement through health benefit plans that cover registered psychotherapy. Email to confirm coverage.
-
Families reach out to Jenny first, so she can make sure the program is the right fit for your child. Email jenny@hopevalleypsychotherapy.ca to start.
Brave Blossoms (girls in Grades 5 to 7)
Brave Blossoms is a 4-week resilience program designed to support preteens as they navigate the important social and emotional changes of early adolescence. Grounded in research and informed by the work of child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Ann Vernon, this small-group program helps participants develop the confidence, self-awareness, and relationship skills they need to thrive.
Through engaging, nature-based, experiential, and animal-assisted activities, participants will explore age-appropriate topics including:
Understanding and respecting emotions
Building a positive sense of self and healthy self-image
Navigating peer pressure with confidence
Developing meaningful, healthy friendships
Strengthening communication and problem-solving skills
Building resilience and emotional well-being
-
Program: Brave Blossoms
Grades 5 to 7 (girls) in the 2026/2027 school year
Group size: maximum 4 participants
Dates: August 13, 20, 27, and September 3
Time: Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Session length: 2 hours
Location: primarily outdoors in a nature-based setting at the clinic address
Facilitator: Jenny Schroeder, Registered Psychotherapist
Program fee: $125 per session
Commitment: registration includes the full four-week mini-series. Children are asked to attend all four sessions to support group cohesion, skill development, and therapeutic progress.
Insurance: services may be eligible for reimbursement through health benefit plans that cover registered psychotherapy. Email to confirm coverage.
-
Families reach out to Jenny first, so she can make sure the program is the right fit for your child. Email jenny@hopevalleypsychotherapy.ca to start.
Trailblazers (Grades 5 to 7)
A Roots and Wings program that tackles resiliency-specific topics commonly found in this age group.
Children learn best through experience. In Trailblazers, participants spend most of each session outdoors, engaging with nature, animals, and therapeutic activities that build emotional awareness, self-regulation, confidence, and connection. Through hands-on experiences, guided reflection, play, and creative expression, children develop practical coping strategies they can use in everyday life. Running this September 2026 (dates TBA). More information to come!
Program details:
Grades: 5 to 7 in the 2026/2027 school year
Group size: maximum 4 participants
Facilitator: Jenny Schroeder, Registered Psychotherapist
Dates, time, and program fee: TBA
Bright Blooms (girls in Grades 3 to 5)
A Roots and Wings program aimed at helping each child discover inner strength, healthy relationships, and emotional intelligence. Running this September 2026. Dates TBA. Stay tuned for more information!
Program details:
Grades: 3 to 5 (girls) in the 2026/2027 school year
Group size: maximum 4 participants
Facilitator: Jenny Schroeder, Registered Psychotherapist
Dates, time, and program fee: TBA
The Mother Grove: Nurturing New Beginnings
A nature-based therapeutic series for new mothers.
Motherhood can be both beautiful and challenging. The Mother Grove is a four-week therapeutic group created to support new mothers through the emotional, relational, and developmental changes of the postpartum period. Led by Registered Psychotherapist Jenny Schroeder, each session blends psychoeducation, guided discussion, peer connection, and therapeutic support within the calming environment of nature. Every gathering offers a chance to learn evidence-based strategies, connect with other mothers facing similar challenges, and build confidence in your journey through early parenthood.
What we explore together:
Understanding postpartum depression and anxiety, including signs, symptoms, and practical coping strategies
Nurturing secure attachment and connection with your baby
Caring for your own emotional wellbeing during the transition to motherhood
Strengthening relationships with partners, family, and other important supports
Building community, resilience, and a sustainable support network
Each gathering includes psycho-educational content, facilitated discussion, reflective activities, and informal connection with other mothers, all while immersed in the benefits of the natural world.
-
Dates: August 14, 21, 28, and September 4
Time: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Facilitator: Jenny Schroeder, Registered Psychotherapist
Program fee: $125 per session
Insurance: participants with health benefits that include Registered Psychotherapy services may be eligible for reimbursement. Reach out for more on coverage.
-
Families reach out to Jenny first, so she can make sure the program is the right fit for your child. Email jenny@hopevalleypsychotherapy.ca to start.
Program Leadership
Our group programs are led by Jenny Schroeder, Registered Psychotherapist, who brings nature-based and experiential care to every group. Jenny creates a warm, unhurried space where children, mothers, and adults can feel safe enough to grow.
Group therapy at Hope Valley
Group therapy brings people with shared experiences together in a supportive, guided setting. It eases isolation, builds connection, and lets participants learn from one another as much as from their therapist. At Hope Valley, that work happens in nature, because the natural world is a healing medium in its own right. Spending time in green space is something people can tap into at a deep, restorative level.
Children and youth programs
Our Roots and Wings series supports children and youth with their developmental and emotional needs through play, art, equine connection, and time in nature. We focus on big feelings, friendships, confidence, and resilience, always keeping social pressure low and curiosity high.
Mother and parent programs
Our programs for new parents offer a gentle, supportive space to navigate the postpartum period. Through psychoeducation, peer connection, and time in nature, participants build practical strategies, strengthen their bond with their baby, and find community with others who understand. Mother Grove programs are run in the spring, summer and fall.
Adult programs
Our adult groups support people navigating anxiety, grief, life transitions, and the search for connection. Working outdoors and alongside others, participants find that shared experience eases isolation and makes change feel possible. Stay connected to see upcoming programs.
Ready to Get Started?
Embark on a transformative journey with our programs designed to foster growth and well-being. We invite you to stay connected and be the first to know about upcoming programs that can make a positive impact on your life.
515817 Eleventh Line, East Zorra-Tavistock, Ontario
+1 519-602-3044