Outdoor Therapy
I work with clients 1-1 outdoors in Ilkley (riverside walk), St Ives Estate, Bingley and Silsden Canal. I’ve been working as an outdoor therapist since I started my private practice in 2019 and then deepened my approach by training with Hayley Marshall of the Centre for Natural Reflection - a life changing experience.
Sessions vary depending on location and client preference. We may walk for the whole 50 minutes, sit in a clearing in the trees or by the pond/canal or a combination.
As well as the obvious benefits of exercise, vitamin D and fresh air on our mental health, outdoor therapy offers us the chance to reflect on how the changing seasons affect us mentally, how movement affects our breath and areas of tension, and to mindfully experience our senses.
A growing body of research has indicated that outdoor environments support attention restoration (relief from the tiredness and overwhelm of focused attention) better than urban environments, whilst also supporting reflection. See Reflection and Attentional Recovery as Distinctive Benefits of Restorative Environments.
Outdoor therapy can be as similar to regular counselling as the client would like. It could be as simple as talking whilst walking, or we might include focusing on the setting mindfully, creating art with natural materials and integrating movement. Every client will feel comfortable with and benefit from a different approach to working outdoors and I’ll support you in finding that.
Taking therapy outdoors can be also free-up clients who work better with less eye contact or prefer to be in open spaces.
Assessments usually take place by video call, so that we can plan for hopes, expectations and safety first.
Some links:
Why Walking & Talking Therapy Works
Taking Therapy Outside - Reaching for a Vital Connection
Outdoor Counselling at St Ives Estate
With many thanks to local photographers Gail Bailey, Helen Gunton, Jessie Claire Green, Julie Firth, Norman Smith & Rebecca Bottomley of the St Ives Bingley Facebook group.
