outdoor therapy

why outdoor therapy?

Our work together explores being present with what is, without trying to change or fix anything about yourself.  We can draw inspiration from the resilience and adaptability of nature, and gain new perspectives and deeper understanding around how we move through life. The innate wisdom of our bodies is present when we are connecting with nature, allowing us to awaken to our aliveness through all of our senses with the support of gentle, conscious movement.

I believe we are wired for interconnection and aliveness. When we bring our therapy work into the outdoors together, we can draw support from our environment for an expanded sense of awareness, interconnection, grounding, and developing the capacity to become curious about what’s going on in our current situation.  Sitting in a natural space together, being with what is and what we can not change, allows us to build capacity and flexibility for being with what is in our selves.

potential gifts of outdoor therapy

To perceive the world through other senses is to find splendor in familiarity, and sacred in the mundane.

- Jon Young, An Immense World

Connecting to nature can be a portal into experiencing wonder. Through expanded awareness we can augment our sense of being connected to something greater than ourselves, and also zoom right in on the specificity of our experience. Other benefits might include:

• reduces irritability

• lowers blood pressure

• reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression

• increases capacity to take in new information

• calms and invigorates

• impacts dopamine and endorphins

Notice yourself before before spending time in nature, and after. Has anything shifted, either in your being, or how you perceive your current situation?

what to expect

being with nature outdoor therapy sessions involve either a local in-person meet-up or meeting virtually while we explore engaging with nature together in our respective environments.

Local in-person meet-up:

We will meet in person at a pre-determined location in East York, Toronto, i.e.: a park or local trail.  Below are some examples of locations and terrains; please keep in mind that we can curate session content based on what you’d like to work on and explore together.

Option 1: Withrow Park - a gentle stroll along paved paths, resting on a park bench or a shady patch of grass  - click here for a map

Option 2: Lower Don Parklands - a moderate hike along paved and dirt paths, with varied terrain and environs - click here for a map

Option 3: Taylor Creek Park - paved paths, dirt trails, and plenty of benches offering privacy and rest - click here for a map

These local outdoor in-person sessions could include walking and talking, and/or sitting and mindfully engaging with our surroundings.

All options invite us to experience the pleasures of nature, while exploring what you’re experiencing in your life in an expanded therapeutic environment.

when can we start?

These sessions are offered year-round, as a companion to virtual and in-person therapy sessions.

If you are a new client, I ask that we meet for at least two virtual or in-office sessions before we try an outdoor session together.

Before we venture outdoors, we will have a discussion around issues such as confidentiality, privacy, emotional/physical needs, and risks/benefits of outdoor therapy.

Due to the ongoing circulation of COVID-19, we will discuss COVID considerations together in advance of any in-person sessions to co-create a safe-enough environment for us to work together in a way that works for both of us.

The fee for Being with Nature: Outdoor Therapy sessions is consistent with in-office and virtual sessions.