OUTDOOR ECOTHERAPY

There is something deeply healing about being in nature—walking among trees, feeling the earth beneath your feet, hearing the sound of wind or water. The natural world has a way of slowing us down, grounding us, and bringing us back home to ourselves.

I offer Outdoor Ecotherapy sessions year-round on Fridays on nature trails through Portland’s West-side, including Hoyt Arboretum, Forest Park, and Tryon Creek. Some clients prefer to do all our sessions outdoors; others like to plan an outdoor session from time to time.

WHY DO THERAPY IN NATURE?

Nature offers a kind of presence that is steady, nonjudgmental, and deeply regulating. When we step outside the walls of an office and into the living world, something often shifts—our breath slows, our senses awaken, and our nervous system begins to settle. In this state, we may find it easier to connect with ourselves, speak more freely, and see things more clearly.

Outdoor Ecotherapy invites us to remember that we aren’t separate from the natural world—we’re part of it. The rhythms of the earth, the movement of water, the rootedness of trees—these become not just backdrops, but co-regulators, mirrors, and companions in the healing process.

  • Nature as Co-Therapist – The environment itself plays a role in therapy, offering both grounding and perspective. The wind, the stillness of a tree, or the movement of birds can mirror emotions, provide insight, and create a deeper sense of connection.

  • Regulation & Nervous System Support – Time in nature naturally shifts us into a more regulated nervous system state, helping to ease anxiety, soften overwhelm, and support emotional processing.

  • Somatic Awareness – Being outdoors allows for movement, sensory engagement, and a feeling of spaciousness, all of which can help you tap into the body’s innate healing intelligence.

WHO IS THIS WORK FOR?

Outdoor Ecotherapy may be a good fit for you if:

  • You feel more at ease in nature than in a traditional office setting.

  • You struggle with anxiety, stress, or a sense of disconnection from yourself or the world.

  • You are navigating grief, life transitions, or a period of deep personal reflection.

  • You find movement helps you process emotions or think more clearly.

  • You feel drawn to nature as a place of healing, insight, and renewal.

WHAT HAPPENS IN AN OUTDOOR ECOTHERAPY SESSION?

Each session unfolds in a way that aligns with what you need in the moment. Here’s a general flow of what a session might look like:

  • Arriving & Grounding – We begin by settling into the space, orienting to the environment, and setting an intention for the session.

  • Movement or Stillness – Some sessions involve walking, while others take place sitting in a quiet spot. We let your needs and the rhythm of the session guide us.

  • Mindfulness & Somatic Resourcing – Tuning into your breath, sensations, and emotions as they arise, using the body and the landscape as an anchor for present-moment awareness.

  • Processing & Reflection – Guided by your intention for the session, we reflect together on what’s emerging in the present moment. Nature may offer symbols and metaphors that support the process, helping deepen meaning and clarity. Nature may also provide direct support for releasing tension and stress and strengthening your inner resources. You can read more about my therapeutic approach here.

GETTING STARTED

Therapy in nature is an opportunity to step out of the ordinary and into something more expansive—a space where healing, insight, and connection unfold in their own time. If this resonates with you, I’d love to support you on your journey.

I offer Outdoor Ecotherapy sessions year-round on Fridays on nature trails through Portland’s West-side, including Hoyt Arboretum, Forest Park, and Tryon Creek. If you are interested in exploring Outdoor Ecotherapy, I invite you to reach out for a consultation. We can discuss what draws you to this work, answer any questions you have, and determine whether this approach feels like the right fit for you.