The sounds of rustling leaves, flowing water, and birds singing create a soothing soundtrack that can quiet the mind. The fresh air and natural light contribute to vitality, while the greenery and vibrant colours stimulate a sense of well-being. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and improve mood by promoting the release of endorphins.
"Getting out in the open air is often recommended for improving mental health and well-being, so it is not surprising that outdoor therapy is becoming increasingly popular" BACP.
What is outdoor therapy?
Counselling is done outdoors, such as walking or sitting on a bench, and it is suitable for everyone, including those restricted by physical mobility.
Walking encourages us to breathe regularly, increases oxygen levels and supports our brain's ability to perform optimally. When we feel low and ask ourselves, "Should I bother going anywhere?" by taking the first step of going outside, we have already achieved a success milestone. The outdoors is immensely beneficial for our physical and mental health, and research on the benefits for those with neurodegenerative conditions such as a type of dementia.
Indoor therapy can be challenging, as patients are limited to a room. However, psychological research on 16th-century UK asylum centres has concluded that green surroundings played a significantly more significant role in the recovery of patients' mental health than an indoor setting, similar to the confinement of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the Pandemic research programme, Mental Health UK tells us that spending time outdoors has been one of the key factors enabling people to cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mental Health UK.
Outdoor colours such as blue skies and greenery have great potential to support physical and mental recovery and the start of healing, with rehabilitation sites built in the countryside. Studies have also shown that green spaces promote mental well-being and increase the quality of life for people with mental health needs.
According to Anxious Minds UK, outdoor therapy has numerous benefits for mental health, including reducing stress and anxiety, boosting mood and self-esteem, increasing focus and attention and improving physical health. Stating that outdoor therapy can also support the conditions of depression and anxiety, ADHD and ADD, substance abuse disorders and eating disorders.
How can outdoor therapy help?
Practitioners who regularly engage in outdoor therapies report a natural affinity for the outdoors. They feel secure and connected and believe in its therapeutic potential. They also benefit from its flexibility and ability to integrate multiple modalities as they creatively adapt their indoor approaches.
Client suitability research has also found outdoor therapy effective across various client groups presenting difficulties. Some clients report an affinity with outdoor spaces through a sense of containment, familiarity, excitement, connection, and positive childhood memories.
According to The British Psychological Society (BPS), practitioners and their clients have reported a range of benefits unique to outdoor t counselling, such as:
Promoting access and equity of care for clients who find an indoor therapy room encounter too uncomfortable.
It enables clients to experience greater shared ownership of the therapy space and relationship.
Freedom of expression through a sense of escape from day-to-day routines and the environment the client associates with their difficulties achieved.
Physical movement and dynamic surroundings support psychological flexibility in those who feel "stuck."
The therapeutic effects of time spent in natural settings include reducing blood pressure and stress levels.
Interconnectedness with natural work provides a sense of belonging and well-being.
A deeper connection to the natural world supports positive and reciprocal environmental behaviours.
Nature's consistent and indifferent stance towards a person's perceived flaws and vulnerabilities provides stability and a different perspective on problems.
It has holistic benefits for the clients' and practitioners' physical and psychological health.
Natural environmental surroundings have a calming and therapeutic effect on the mind and body, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression and improving mood overall. Studies show that 20 minutes of being in nature can significantly reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress.
Research shows that people experiencing stress can use green and blue spaces to improve their well-being through walking and exercise, improving mood, reducing stress, and enhancing purpose and meaning. Interaction with nature can also benefit people experiencing depression. Evidence suggests that being in nature for at least 120 minutes a week is related to the best possible physical and mental health and well-being.
Fresh air and exercise have been recommended for many to feel better physically and mentally. Now, evidence shows that the quality of our relationship with nature is part of the reason for its positive impact on our well-being. Researchers use the term 'connectedness' to describe the ideal relationship. Connectedness refers to the way we relate to and experience nature. A strong connection with nature means a close relationship or an emotional attachment to our natural surroundings, Mental Health UK.
Outdoor counselling also includes less formality, such as making eye contact, increased access for people who would not engage in traditional services, less anxiety for people who find formal settings intimidating, and a more human experience with a greater sense of freedom, especially for those who do not have access to a private space at home or struggle with communicating due to a physical or psychological condition.
Outdoor therapy approaches therapy from a different angle, drawing on the experience of being in nature to complement the process by using the changing weather to mirror the experience of changing times, such as grieving or recovering or using sensory aspects to develop skills. The metaphor to support difficult times is that we are the sky, and our emotions are the weather; the weather changes constantly, but we remain constant to bring the message home.
Improved engagement.
Outdoor therapy increases engagement in counselling. The natural environment provides a unique and productive session, which can help keep people more engaged and focused during the session. The increased confidentiality in a natural setting can make it easier for people to open up and share personal information without feeling self-conscious or judged, leading to better outcomes and more progress in therapy.
Summary.
Outdoor counselling is a therapeutic approach in a natural rather than a traditional indoor environment. This method integrates nature into the therapeutic process, leveraging the calming and restorative effects of the outdoors. Critical aspects of outdoor counselling include:
Natural environment, helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Enhanced engagement with the changed scenery can brighten the mood and increase the client's willingness to participate, making the conversation feel more open and less intimidating.
Holistic well-being, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual health, encourages a comprehensive approach to wellness.
Mindfulness and connection: Nature fosters mindfulness, helping clients focus on the present moment and connect with their surroundings, which can deepen self-awareness and reflection.
Physical activity, incorporating movement such as walking, can enhance physical health and release endorphins (the happiness hormones), further improving mental well-being.
Akhtar, (SAC Dip), Lead Psychologist.
