Why consider therapy outdoors?
At the dawn of humankind, we emerged from and existed within nature. We are nature. We describe the human condition as ‘human nature’. Yet along the way, with the many benefits that technological and financial advancement have offered, many of us became increasingly disconnected from our roots and relationship with the land, where our food comes from, the biodiversity and climate systems that keep the delicate and complex, interconnected system of life healthy and abundant. Put simply, we rely on Earth’s clean air, water, sunlight, soil, plants and animals to survive.
Today, the majority of the human population are living in heavily urbanised environments that prioritise hustle and convenience. These places can be highly stimulating and polluted environments - noisy and bright, with large crowds of people and social groups yet individualised living arrangements. When we add in the almost ubiquitous use of technology, social media and 24-hour news, these impacts are amplified. These modes of living have evolved for a reason and can offer enjoyment and opportunities. Plus, our cities can be surprisingly rich in plant species and wildlife. However, it can be a challenge for our nervous system, physiology and cognitive processing, to cope with the everyday stressors of modern life. This heightened baseline of stress and other impacts (for example cortisol, dopamine, serotonin levels, to name a few) can significantly impede our ability to regulate and deal effectively with adverse events.
Many people have an intuitive sense that fresh air, movement and being outdoors somewhere beautiful is ‘good for you’ - both physically and mentally (these factors of wellbeing are now understood to be inseparable, despite our separate conceptualisation). During the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, tongue-in-cheek memes sprung up referencing ‘my silly little daily walk for my silly mental health’. I certainly found this to be true, being fortunate enough to have access to calming walks on my doorstep.
Research is now beginning to confirm, in ever more advanced ways, that what we intuitively understood can be measured. From the microbes in soil positively impacting our gut health, to the physiological benefits of walking, the emotional and spiritual dimension to experiencing awe and humility, tolerating cold water exposure, nurturing plants and growing our own food… the list of possible benefits to human health and wellbeing is extensive. This recognition has contributed to an increase in support for practices such as ‘green and social prescribing’, including community gardening and ecotherapy.
When we discuss the research-based benefits of therapy in nature, I believe it’s important to recognise that we are finding ways to value and codify the importance of a relationship with our natural world into our Western, capitalist and scientific methods of research and theory-base. Indigenous peoples around the globe have an altogether different relationship with their home environment and context for being. Several authors credit the rise of interest in ecotherapy with roots in shinrin-yoku (or forest bathing, loosely translated), a Japanese practice of immersing yourself in a forest's atmosphere by mindfully engaging your senses to de-stress and boost health.
Conducting psychotherapy outdoors can feel very different. Rather than sitting opposite each other in a room, we walk side by side. I often discuss and offer flexibility about where we base our sessions, so clients can chose the setting - beach, woodland, moor, city waterfront… We will talk as usual about what brings you to therapy, and may also explore how you’re engaging with the space - how it may be supportive in feeling grounded and calm, how quickly or slowly we are walking, if we chose to sit in stillness for a while. I might ask what features stand out to you, how alive you are to your senses, how much you relate with the weather or feel of the landscape. Importantly, we need to trust one another, ensure that we are safe, and confidentiality is maintained.
Clients may be especially interested in psychotherapy outdoors if: they experience eco or climate anxiety, they dislike prolonged eye contact or feel more comfortable in a less ‘formal’ setting, they work a desk job that means they are sat inside for long hours each day, they have anxieties about leaving the house and would like support to get outdoors, accessibility needs mean that meeting near home rather than in town is more convenient… and many more.
I am one of the few practitioners in the South West and UK who offers psychotherapy outdoors. For more information about therapy outdoors, you can read this blog post about What to Expect from Walk-and-Talk Therapy. You may also want to check out some of the resources in the gallery below, that provide well-researched and accessible introductions to some of the topics touched on here.
As well as benefiting us, fostering a loving relationship with our broader home environment means that we care more about our planet and the other life forms we share it with, becoming more conscious about the impacts of human society upon it. Considering where our resources come from with gratitude, and where our waste goes with responsibility, are arguably important aspects of being a conscious resident here. These skills of reflection and increased self-awareness, can aid our personal development, sense of belonging, relationships and purpose in life.
