Working outdoors

Nature and the local area provide a huge opportunities, inspirations and metaphor as well as encouraging calm, reflection, contemplation, acceptance, perspective… so many things that are helpful in the self-development process.

Eco-therapy or walk and talk therapy

Walking side by side feels very different to sitting face to face.

Nature and the local area provide a huge opportunities, encouraging calm, reflection, contemplation, acceptance, perspective… so many things that are helpful in the self-development process.

Walking, pausing, resting, exploring etc.

Setting challenges and observation exercises.

Changing pace and noticing our need to hurry or slow down.

Perhaps most importantly for me, walking side by side shifts us from head-to-head seating, which can so often lock us into thinking processes and encourages a journeying-together-perspective.

When outdoors, we may be utilising our senses and feelings as much or even more than our verbal capacities. By taking this more embodied approach, working outdoors can deepen the experience and integrate clients in ways that standard therapy conversations struggle to do.

Contracting

But there are challenges and it is not always right for every client. So I insist on a staged assessment which allows us to establish whether this process will suit you and whether we can work safely in this way. This includes a preparatory conversation – by phone or video-call, or a meeting to discuss your needs and the issues, before going outside.

Sometimes I agree a few sessions outside, then some inside to assess. Each step provides reflection time to absorb what you are learning and help us build a bespoke therapy for you.