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.

Outdoor Ecotherapy sessions take therapy beyond the four walls of an office and into the open, living landscape, where healing happens in relationship—not just with ourselves, but with the world around us.

WHY WORK IN NATURE?

The natural world offers something that an office setting cannot—space, movement, and a direct connection to the rhythms and cycles of life.

  • 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 water 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.

  • A Different Kind of Space – Being outdoors allows for movement, sensory engagement, and a feeling of spaciousness, all of which can help you access emotions and insights in new ways.

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 awareness.

  • Processing & Reflection – As insights and emotions surface, we take time to reflect, integrate, and explore what emerges in the moment. You can read more about my therapeutic approach here.

Working outdoors can make therapy feel more expansive, embodied, and intuitive, allowing you to access parts of yourself that may feel stuck or unreachable in traditional settings.

NATURE, HEALING, AND INTEGRATION

Healing is not just about understanding—it’s about integration. Nature provides a living metaphor for this process, reflecting the cycles of change, the importance of rest and renewal, and the wisdom of interconnectedness. When we work in nature, we are reminded that we, too, are part of something larger—that our struggles, emotions, and growth are held within a greater rhythm. In this work, we don’t just exist in nature; we build a relationship with it.

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.