Outdoor Therapy
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Outdoor therapy is an alternative to working in the traditional therapy room setting. Rather than sitting inside four walls, we go outdoors, exploring issues and concerns in the natural environment. You set the pace – whether it be a brisk stroll, or sitting under a tree – you decide what works for you. Being alongside each other, literally and metaphorically, can feel like being on more of an equal footing. This can encourage you to open up and engage with difficult feelings, which in turn enables a deeper exploration of issues.
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Movement, such as walking, can in itself be soothing, helping you to relax, making sessions more productive. Being in a natural environment seems to enable new, creative ways of thinking to come to light; it’s as though being outdoors can enable you to see things from a different perspective, opening up new possibilities, finding solutions where perhaps you were unable to before.
We’re increasingly cut-off from our connection to the natural environment and nature, and yet being outdoors grounds us, enabling us to re-connect to the world around us, to tap into a sense of well-being and calmness, whilst at the same time giving us some feel-good endorphins. Outdoor therapy can help with many issues, such as depression and anxiety, low self esteem, relationship difficulties, life transitions, grief and loss.
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The initial appointment takes place in my therapy room and gives you a chance to share what you’re looking for. It’s also an opportunity for us both to see whether we think we would work well together. If you don’t feel you want to continue after the initial session, I will happily suggest other therapists whom you might like to work with. Similarly, if I feel I don’t have the skills or experience to work with you, I may be able to suggest other therapists who would be more suitable. Sessions last one hour.
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The Wirral is full of lovely places – beaches, heaths and woodland. We would discuss what types of environments you’d enjoy during the first session.
On the day of the session, we would meet at an agreed place for a 1-hour session, following a circular route. The pace on the day would be set by you.
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Client and therapist usually meet once a week, for a session which last 50 minutes. Regular weekly meetings give the client time to reflect on and process the work discussed during each session.
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Sessions between 8am and 5pm cost £50; sessions between 6pm and 9pm cost £55. Each session lasts 50 minutes. Low-cost sessions are available for those on low income and are subject to availability.
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Many people are happy to go outdoors in all weather, but it will be your decision whether to have the session outdoors, or to hold it in the therapy room. Again, this is something we would discuss during the first session.
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Obviously confidentiality is important and we would discuss what you would like to do if we meet someone you know when we are outdo. Seeing people walking and talking side-by-side is very common, and we may just pass by, engrossed in our conversation, or pause until you felt happy to continue talking.
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Yes, look at our Guided Mountain Days
