Registered Psychotherapist, M.A. M.Ed. M.A.
Curious to know why I bring nature into therapy?
Nature therapy is experiential + evidence-based
Based on evidence and my own personal experience with nature, I am a believer in the power of nature and how it can foster healing, growth and good health overall. It can be easy and flexible to access, affordable to everyone and the benefits are profound.
Nature therapy, also called eco or green therapy is growing (pardon the pun). It is about exploring your relationship with nature and re-establishing your connection to the natural world. As human beings we are connected to and impacted by the earth and our natural environment. Yet, due to the way we tend to live these days (urban cities and minimal/no greenery, living indoors, less in-person interaction, more social media), we are losing our connection to nature. It is becoming more and more essential to bring nature in different ways into our daily lives to enhance our healthy wellbeing.
Benefits are enormous and can be mental, physical and spiritual
- Promotes relaxation and calm (mindfulness and grounding)
- Improves low moods and reduces risk of depression
- Lowers stress and prevents burnout
- Improves focus and concentration
- Gets you active and boosts energy
- Treats anxiety, trauma, substance use
- Improves cognitive function and helps dementia
- Improved self-esteem, especially related to body
- Strengthens social connection and sense of belonging
- Increased resilience
- Physical health improves (immunity, blood pressure, nervous system balancing, improved sleep)
- Can increase mind-body awareness
- A feeling of meaningfulness in life
- Heightens creativity
Let's tap into nature
In the office or virtually
Perhaps you think we can only do nature therapy outdoors but we can bring it indoors with plants, nature photos, and nature inspired items. We can combine this modality with talk therapy, art/creative exercises, body movement, sensory exercises, nature mindfulness and visualization practice.
Walk and Talk in nature
This kind of therapy approach involves walking outdoors together and we talk about your issues and problem solve- just like in the office. Yet there is physical movement benefits, observation of one's natural surroundings and perhaps other therapeutic exercises. I find that movement and being outdoors in nature certainly enriches the session.
Walk and talk in the neighborhood
Walk and talk sessions don't always need to be in the woods or close to nature. They can take place in a park or in the neighborhood near my office. The benefits of pairing talk therapy and physical movement still hold true. We might even do half the session in the office and then head out for a walk. And for some clients, doing a session outdoors is less intimidating than a session in the office.
