Nature-Based Therapy for Mental Health
Benefits of Nature-Based Therapy or Eco-Therapy
You may be wondering, “Can that really help me?”
While there are many benefits to being in an office, being in natural spaces or green spaces has been linked to lower levels of anxiety, depression, and cortisol levels in the body, decreasing overall stress. It has also been shown to improve concentration and feelings of connectedness. Many clients I have worked with reported that it felt easier to process painful experiences or emotions while sitting or walking together outdoors, giving them more ease and ability to share and cope.
Nature-Based Therapy or Eco-therapy provides the opportunity to connect to yourself and the natural world during a therapy session. It gives an experiential space for engaging with your senses, mindfully observing the world around you, sparking curiosity, and processing or learning in different ways. Sometimes, it could look like being silent together, engaging with the present moment, and finding a place in nature to take in your senses and your surroundings. Other times, it may look like walking on a trail together, engaging in movement, and processing whatever experiences and thoughts are present that day. Nature-Based Therapy allows the integration of the natural world as a powerful companion for learning coping tools, growing through therapeutic processing, and having space for healing in every session. It comes from generations of wisdom and practices of global communities and is actively practiced today around the world.
Colorado Weather
You may be thinking, “I’m not sure I always want to be outdoors.”
Yes, the weather in Colorado can change quickly and there are some days or times of day that can be icy, snowy, rainy, or hot. We work together to determine the days that feel useful to be outdoors for a session and when it may feel better to meet at my office.
Versatility of Eco-Therapy
You may be wondering, “How does a session work indoors?”
Nature-based therapy can be incorporated indoors through mindfulness practice, sensory engagement, connection to the body and emotions, and connection to natural settings through visualizations or art, to name a few. I also utilize eco-therapy alongside other modalities, practices, and tools, which allows us to have meaningful sessions both indoors and outdoors.
Adaptability of Utilizing Natural Spaces in Therapy
You may be thinking, “I’m not really the “outdoorsy” type and/or I cannot engage in a lot of physical activity.”
That’s totally okay! Eco-therapy allows us to tailor each session to individual needs and physical abilities. For some people, it can be very helpful to engage in movement during a session as it allows them to feel more connected to their body. For others, sitting in a calming place outdoors allows them to engage with their senses and feel present in the session. I recognize that we are all ever-changing individuals and needs may shift throughout our time together. I also take accessibility into account when selecting the outdoor spaces where sessions are held.
