Therapy in Nature
With the onset of Covid restrictions and the need for social distancing, more and more therapists are turning to Walk and Talk Therapy or Therapy in Nature as a way to see clients safely in person.
So why does it work?
Well firstly, walk and talk therapy serves a lot of purposes. It allows for that connection between therapist and client which some feel is missing when using a virtual platform. Secondly, it hits a lot of our daily targets – fresh air, movement, complete a task, make connections, get out of the house, see a new environment and get some of our steps in. Most importantly in a world where work, school and social connections can be completely online, it gets us away from a screen, even if just for the hour.
Lastly, it allows us to be grounded in nature.
In an article released by the American Psychological Association in 2020, the benefits of simply being in nature include improved attention, lower levels of stress and overall improvements in both psychological and physical wellness.
If you have noticed that your mood improves simply by being outside, then you have already noticed the benefits that nature can bring. When we add nature into the therapy room, we can use all these benefits to promote the therapeutic process.
While research is ongoing, what we can be certain of is that be it open air, deep forest, blue nature or simply a green space, being in nature can be beneficial to our mood, our levels of happiness, our sense of purpose in life and can hold many cognitive benefits.
For more information on the connection between nature and levels of wellbeing see the below article from the American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association. (2020, April). Nurtured by nature.