Outdoor Therapy
Outdoor therapy combines the face-to-face engagement of a one to one therapy session with an outdoor setting. There is increasing evidence that being outdoors in nature can have beneficial effects on mental health and, of course, the benefits of gentle movement on the health of the body and mind are well known.
My ‘walk and talk’ sessions in the beautiful surroundings of the Cotswolds offer you the opportunity to engage with the issues you are facing in a supportive natural setting, allowing you to take a break from your home or work routine and
reap these holistic rewards.
Timing
Walk and talk sessions are usually one hour long and if required can be arranged to fit around your usual routine – the morning walk with your dog or your break from the computer over your lunch hour for example. We’ll work together to find a time and location that works for you, using my knowledge to select an appropriate space that supports your mood.
​
Using my expertise I will guide the session in a way that feels natural to you – putting you at ease and asking thoughtful questions to open up and deepen our discussion.
​
Throughout our time together I will always be sensitive to your needs, safely guiding your emotions while giving you the space to explain in depth the difficulties you are having. In walk and talk sessions, I also pay special attention to your energy levels – I will never push you to walk further or faster than is comfortable for you and can always tailor sessions to your physical capabilities.
​​
Location
I know that privacy and discretion are essential for you to feel comfortable when undertaking your therapeutic journey, so I can suggest quieter locations and times that will allow for you to express yourself openly and get the most from our time together.
​​​
Frequency
Generally, sessions take place weekly and then transition to fortnightly and then four-weekly. This allows for us to develop a strong therapeutic relationship in the first instance and then, as progress is made, provides time for any changes we’ve discussed to be made between sessions.
You may also wish to vary the structure of our sessions, for example having a one to one session in my office if you need some physical space to yourself or having an online therapy session if you have other commitments that mean you can’t take the time for an outdoor session. Similarly, we will switch to an alternative setting if we feel weather conditions will prevent us from meeting outdoors.
You can find out more about these other delivery methods here.
​
How to get started
I always begin my work with clients with an initial consultation. This consultation comprises two sessions where we first get an overview of the issues you are facing, some of the outcomes you are seeking and gauge whether we are good fit for working together. We will then go on to discuss your current circumstances in more detail and explore your history to draw out key themes and patterns. This information provides the guide for navigating a way through your difficulties towards a more satisfying life.