Nature-Based Therapy in Kelowna

“A walk in nature walks the soul back home” – Mary Davis

What is Nature-Based Therapy?

This is a different version of the traditional therapy that’s done in a typical office setting - no couches and chairs here. In a pretty straight forward answer, we take therapy into nature! This is also called ecotherapy. When we do this, we are able to invite the inherent power of nature into the counselling process. Here in Kelowna, we are surrounded by beauty and have almost unlimited access to this partnership between nature and counselling.

How Does Nature Support Mental Health Counselling?

There is a ton of research out there confirming the therapeutic benefits of nature, for both children and adults. The incoming sights and sounds from nature (when they are safe) are shown to be very calming to our bodies and increase our ability to manage stress. In one study, 90% of people who went on a nature walk reported increased self-esteem. In another, children who had a diagnosis of ADHD struggled with symptoms less after they had spent time in nature. Even looking at a picture of nature has been shown to boost someone’s mood! Nature is just filled with things that help us be in the present moment and it draws out curiosity, questions, and connection.

The amazing thing is that all of these benefits happen without us actually doing any work, we just have to ‘be’ with nature to receive it. Now, imagine layering the work we do in therapy on top of that.

What Does Nature-Based Therapy Look Like?

1. Walk and Talk. This is where we meet on a local Kelowna trail and walk for the duration of our therapy session. Walking (or sitting) side-by-side can often feel less intimidating than being across from one another in an office, and it helps us feel safer to share about ourselves with someone. Slowly building a relationship with a child while examining a cool-looking plant or a mushroom can enhance their ability to feel more comfortable. Meanwhile, incorporating gentle movement such as walking can help ease an adult’s body into regulation.
2. Outdoor Grounding Activity. Something as simple as taking 10 minutes to mindfully notice nature can help soothe anxiety, increase attention span, lower stress hormones, and help us regulate our emotions. With children feel very anxious, I might have us play a game of I Spy. With adults who are caught up in their thoughts, we might practice using all 5 of our senses to slowly and deeply notice what’s around us.
3. Therapeutic Horticulture. Plants and plant-care activities can also be used to enhance well-being and bring the benefits of nature into therapy. You will notice that my office is usually full of plants! We might plant seeds and watch them grow, re-pot growing plants, dig in the soil, or trim some leaves back, all while having therapy talks. These activities are accessible right from my office. Doing gardening and caring for plants in therapy has been shown to be beneficial for both children and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, chronic stress, and burnout.

Who is Nature-Based Therapy For?

Anyone! Those who have a past negative experience with office-based services might like to break away from that setting. Those who like to be outside, someone who wants to feel more connected to nature, or those who are unsure but open to trying something new are all welcome. I find children who like to be active and struggle to focus when indoors engage better in a nature-based setting than traditional therapy, as well as people who struggle with eye contact or feel easily put on the spot. If you’d like to incorporate gentle movement into our sessions, a walk-and-talk would be perfect for you.

If any of these options resonate with you, be sure to book a complimentary 10 minute consultation with me and bring any questions you might have – I’d love to hear from you!

Click Here to book your cosultation today!