There are a lot of obvious benefits to working inside - privacy, a consistent temperature, little chance of getting wet and a nice comfortable couch to relax on. And I do offer therapy in-clinic, because for some people this is genuinely the best option.
For others however, when it’s time to work through something in therapy, the clinic room feels stifling. When we’ve got something to ‘air’, why not go somewhere with lots of fresh air? If we want to feel more space, why not visit somewhere spacious? If sitting in a small room staring into someone’s eyes feels too intense, why not take a walk? By stepping outside of the room for therapy, the environment becomes like a co-facilitator. The intelligence and expansiveness of nature can hold what is too big for any individual person. The earth can turn dirt into flowers, carbon into leaves, and it hold us steadily while we release whatever we are ready to let go of.
On a personal level, I feel inauthentic if I’m preaching about the benefits of a holistic life, being more connected to nature and then spending all day in an office. Taking my work outside is part of how I live by my own values and keep myself healthy.
What is ‘nature’? On one level, you could say everything is nature. Humans are part of nature and not separate from it, and you could view our buildings as extensions of our own human nature - in the same way that a bee’s hive is an extension of its bee nature. And at the same time, the areas which inhabit have changed so drastically from the forms our bodies have adapted to. By clearing trees, pouring concrete and erecting buildings, we have constructed environments which serve certain interests, but which often just don’t feel right. So when I talk about ‘nature’, I’m talking about being in places where human development is not the primary feature.
Have you ever been camping, and noticed that you’re naturally tired and ready for sleep after the sun goes down, and naturally wake up in the morning with the sun and birds? This is no coincidence - the biological systems within our body have co-evolved with our natural environment since the beginning of time. And while our environment has evolved rapidly with technology and industrialisation, our human biology has not kept up.
This doesn’t mean we have to get rid of our houses and technology to live a good life, but if we can align our habits with our bodies’ natural biological systems, we’ll likely feel a whole lot better.
And clinical evidence agrees, research supporting the mental health benefits of time in nature and nature-guided therapy is robust and rapidly expanding:
If you book an outdoor session, I’ll contact you and we can decide which location will suit you best. I generally do outdoor sessions in the Brisbane West region (near Bardon or Anstead). Depending on your preferences, the session could involve walking, sitting in a quiet spot, or a bit of both.
In walking-based sessions, I use a more talk-therapy oriented approach. For those who want to explore more deeply with somatic processes, Internal Family Systems informed therapy and breathwork practices, we can find a nice comfortable spot and fold out a blanket.
What happens if it rains?
If the weather is not looking favourable, we can still meet outdoors under cover, or by mutual agreement we can reschedule or switch to a different appointment type.
Do I need to be physically fit?
No - we can select gentle, flat paths, or sit outside. We can also go for a more challenging option if you like, ‘choose your adventure’.
Is this covered by Medicare?
Yes. If you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP, you are eligible for Medicare rebates for our outdoor sessions, just as you would be in the clinic or online.