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 invites the natural world into the therapeutic process—not just as a calming backdrop, but as an active partner in your journey. Rather than sitting in an office, we meet outdoors on accessible forest trails, allowing your healing process to unfold in relationship with the living world around you. The sounds of birdsong, the feel of the wind, the rhythm of your footsteps on the earth—all become part of the session.

I offer Outdoor Ecotherapy sessions year-round on Fridays at locations including Hoyt Arboretum, Forest Park, and Tryon Creek State Natural Area. 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, some clients may find it easier to connect with themselves, 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 wisdom.

WHO IS THIS WORK FOR?

No experience in the outdoors is necessary—just a willingness to be present and curious in a natural setting. Outdoor Ecotherapy may resonate if:

  • You feel more at ease in natural settings than in traditional office spaces, or you sense that being outside helps you access parts of yourself that feel hard to reach indoors.

  • You are navigating stress, anxiety, grief, life transitions, or a sense of disconnection—and long for a slower, more embodied way to explore what you're carrying.

  • You feel stuck in your head, sensitive to the pace and pressure of modern life, or simply find comfort and clarity in the rhythms of nature.

  • You want to deepen your connection to something larger than yourself—whether that’s the earth, your inner wisdom, or a renewed sense of meaning and belonging.

WHAT HAPPENS IN AN OUTDOOR ECOTHERAPY SESSION?

Each session unfolds in response to what you need in the moment, gently guided by your intention and the natural setting around us. While no two sessions are the same, here’s a general sense of how they may flow:

  • Arriving & Grounding – We begin by settling into the space, slowing down, and attuning to your breath, body, and the landscape. This may include mindfulness practices to orient to the environment and invite presence. Together, we set an intention to help guide the session.

  • Movement or Stillness – Depending on your needs, the session may involve walking, finding a quiet place to sit, or a combination of both. We let the rhythm of your body and the land lead us.

  • Processing & Reflection – Guided by your intention, we explore what is arising in the present moment. This might include emotions, sensations, memories, or insights. The natural world often mirrors or supports this inner process, offering metaphor, symbolism, and a calming presence that can help deepen awareness, release tension, or access inner strength.

  • Integration & Closing – As the session comes to a close, we take time to gather what’s emerged and reflect on how it relates to your broader journey. We may name insights, highlight resources, or identify ways to carry the session’s meaning with you. A brief mindfulness practice or simple ritual may help mark the transition back into daily life, supporting a sense of closure and integration.

GETTING STARTED

If you are interested in exploring Outdoor Ecotherapy, I invite you to reach out for a free 20-minute consultation. We can discuss what draws you to this work, answer any questions you have, and determine whether it feels like a good fit for you.