A soft place to land.
about nurturing nature…
Nurturing Nature walks alongside parents, babies, and young children, offering compassionate, creative support for the tender work of growing up and growing together.
Perinatal therapy, young child-parent therapy, and mother circles. Boulder, CO + virtual.
nurture
〰️
connect
〰️
belong
〰️
repair
〰️
play
〰️
grow
〰️
create
〰️
nurture 〰️ connect 〰️ belong 〰️ repair 〰️ play 〰️ grow 〰️ create 〰️
meet our founder…
Lara K. Rutledge
Why I started Nurturing Nature.
I came to this work as a mother, an early childhood educator, and a child and family therapist. Each of those roles taught me the same thing: parenting and childhood is full of joy, challenge, and deep transformation, and no one should have to meet it alone.
Over two decades, I have woven my deepest passions (art, nature, and the earliest relationships of life) into one practice. Nurturing Nature is the compassionate space I wished every family had: a place to explore feelings, build resilience, and come back to each other again and again.
I believe the wisdom a family needs is already inside it. My work is to help you clear the noise, tend your nervous system, and trust what has been there all along.
with warmth, Lara ♡
EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY
INFANT MENTAL HEALTH
PERINATAL THERAPY
YOUNG CHILD-PARENT THERAPY
the training behind the care…
EDUCATION
MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Transpersonal Art Therapy, Naropa University
CREDENTIALS
MA, ATR-BC, LPCC, IMH-E · Board certified art therapist with infant mental health endorsement
Postpartum Support International Maternal Mental Health & Advanced Psychotherapy training · Nurture Neuroscience® practitioner · Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy training · Clinical internship at a leading children's hospital art therapy program
TRAININGS
Former President, Colorado Art Therapy Association · Speaker and scholarship recipient at state and national art therapy conferences
LEADERSHIP
how we work…
Our work weaves together trauma-informed restorative practices, mind-body awareness, and expressive arts to support you, your baby, or your child in meeting your unique goals.
Our Approach
Restorative
Gentle, body-based practices that help you rest, repair, and refill, so care for your family starts with care for you.
Expressive Arts Therapy
Art, sound, nature, movement, and play help say what words cannot reach, for children and adults alike. No art experience needed.
Trauma-Informed
A safe, supportive space to heal at your own pace, with care, empathy, and respect for what you have carried.
Nurture Neuroscience®
Understanding how caring for you and your little one shapes lifelong mental and emotional wellness.
Relationship-focused
Strengthening connection and communication so families understand each other's needs and grow trust and empathy.
Nervous System Support
Stress is part of life. We build the capacity to feel it, move through it, and return to calm, for parents and little ones alike.
Trusted by colleagues.
kind words…
Lara is a compassionate child therapist and parent coach specializing in helping children overcome anxiety, fear, and emotional challenges.
Elizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC
Founder, Healing Pathways
Lara has a calming presence. She is an amazing mom and empowering therapist. Many families will greatly benefit from her expertise!
Janis Wille, MA, LPC, ATR, RYT Founder, Creative Conscious Connections
Lara is a beam of light connected to such a beautiful heart. The work Lara puts into the world resounds with intelligence, compassion, experience, and care.
Kate King, LPC, ATR-BC
Founder, The Radiant Life Project
She is extremely warm, caring, fun, and creative in her role with outreach as well as with clients.
Sharla Macy, LMFT
Founder, Couple Space Boulder
PROUD DIRECTORY MEMBER
Colorado Art Therapy Association
Postpartum Support International
Colorado Association for Infant Mental Health
Come in wherever you are.
Reach out to talk through what you and your family need. Consultations are free, fifteen minutes, and there is no pressure at the end of them.