What is outdoor therapy?
What if you could swap the traditional setting of the therapist’s office for the calming presence of nature? That is what I have decided to do - to harness the therapeutic power of the natural environment to deliver therapy outdoors. The idea of Outdoor Therapy is (also known as ‘Walk and Talk’, Nature-Based Therapy and ‘Eco-Therapy’) isn’t new, but it is becoming more popular as people recognise the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.
Over the years I have found that walking side-by side with someone helps to create a more relaxed and equal relationship, which in turn can build trust and rapport. There is something about the forward movement of walking that can make it easier to work through problems - especially when you’re not alone. Even when you’re not walking you feel connected to the environment in a way that can help restore focus and gain a wider perspective on situations.
How would outdoor therapy work?
Different therapists will approach this work in different ways. For us, it would start with an initial 30 minute video call which you can book here. We would talk about what you are looking for and whether this is right for you. We would talk about any physical or emotional challenges that you might face and decide the best way for us to spend time in nature.
I would then send you a working agreement, with extra things to think about when having therapy outdoors, and I would ask you to fill in a short health assessment so that I have all the information I need.
You could then book in a time for us to meet - either weekly or once a fortnight, depending on what works best for you.
Is outdoor therapy right for me?
Outdoor therapy can work really well for most people - regardless of fitness levels or physical challenges. The type of walk we would do and the distance we would cover can be adapted to fit your situation and the time of year and weather conditions. For some, finding a quiet spot to sit and talk might work best.
While can all benefit from spending more time outdoors, for some people, taking therapy outside of four walls can make them feel vulnerable and exposed. While it is helpful to push our boundaries and exposure to risk, this needs to be done at a time and in a space that is right for the individual. It may be that we start working online and that you start to explore the outdoors with support and what we work towards outdoor therapy at a pace that’s right for you.
Where do you offer this therapy?
I live, love and work in Cumbria, between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. It is a place of immense beauty and whilst there are endless options for walks, I offer a limited number as part of my therapeutic work. The area I work in is within a 30 minute drive of Sedbergh. Each walk has been fully risk assessed, and we will talk about the best location(s) depending on your capabilities and experience.
It may be possible to offer remote walk and talk therapy, but there are additional considerations and we will need to discuss this before confirming it as an option.
Interested and want to find out more?
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about outdoor therapy:
What is Outdoor Therapy? Outdoor therapy is taking the session out of the therapy room into the outside world. This might mean sitting in on a bench, in the park, taking a walk along the riverside or through the woods. Even if you don’t want to walk very far, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of outdoor therapy.
What is Eco-Therapy? Eco-therapy is yet another name for outdoor therapy or walk and talk therapy. It is also known as the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing Eco-therapy is related to an appreciation of the natural world Eco therapy often places the focus more on exploring the the natural world. and our relationship with it. Eco-therapy is not new. In 2013, Mind released a report based on 5 years worth of research into 130 Ecominds projects working with over 12,000 people
What is walk and talk therapy good for? Some people find it difficult to sit still in a room or can find it awkward sitting opposite a therapist, so being out in the open and moving is easier for them If you work indoors all the time, having therapy outside can be really beneficial Exercise can help to improve depression and anxiety and can help to improve sleep Physical activity can help to release aggression or anger and make it easier to manage these feelings Exercise is one way to manage stress and can help to calm the nervous system. The forward movement of walking can help you to connect with the here-and-now; to ground you in the present moment and reduce rumination - where you have a tendency to constantly think about the same thing.
Can I choose where we meet? We can discuss the options before our first session, but I need to complete a risk assessment for all the locations. If there is a specific place where you want to meet; or that you want to avoid we can talk about this. I am very lucky where I live - nestled between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, so I am always keen to look for new locations. I am limited by my qualifications, so whilst I might choose to go up mountains, I currently don’t offer this for outdoor therapy.
What if my mobility is limited? Limited mobility and other physical challenges will not stop you from accessing outdoor therapy. We can adapt locations to your needs and we can discuss this before the first session. You can still benefit from spending time out in nature.
What is Walk and Talk therapy? Walk and Talk therapy is another name for Outdoor Therapy. Whilst it involves going on a walk and talking things through as we go, there are always opportunities to stop, sit and contemplate.
Does Outdoor Therapy work? Spending time outdoors, exposed to green spaces has been shown to decrease cortisol levels, heart rate, blood pressure and incidences of stroke and heart disease. Exposure to vitamin D can happen even on a cloudy day. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and muscles, boosting our immunity and for our mental health. Research suggests that eco-therapy can help with conditions like depression, chronic stress, PTSD and ADHD.
Do I need to be fit for outdoor therapy? The location we choose will be based on your needs, which is why I ask you to indicate your (self-assessed) level of fitness in the information form. This is not a judgment, but to help me decide on suitable locations.
Can we change where we meet? You might find that the location where we meet isn’t right for you, I which case we can discuss alternatives. This could be for many reasons. I met my therapist in a quiet spot in an urban environment before we walked down to the river. I realised at the end of the first session that I wanted more open long-range views, so we changed location.
What happens if it rains or when it gets cold? Whilst I come from a background where there is no such thing as bad weather - just wrong clothing; I understand that not everybody feels like this. A change in the weather doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to cancel our session. We might need to change our plans and adapt the session, but there can be real benefits to this and following the change of the seasons and the environment can bring tangible benefits. If we do decide to cancel our outdoor session, we will usually arrange to meet online - this is always available as a back-up plan, which is why there is a video-link in your confirmation email.
specific outdoor therapy training
My approach to supporting people is from a position of equality and partnership, some people might find it reassuring to know a bit more about my professional development training and qualifications. In addition to my core Counselling training, I have specific training in working in a Nature Environment, in Online Counselling as well as working with trauma and addiction. I am also a member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning's Association for Outdoor Therapy. If you would like to know more, click below: