Therapy In Nature

We love spring for so many reasons - a chance to do outdoor activities again in better weather, more sunlight, blossoming flowers and plants, and a general sense of renewal after a long winter season. It’s also a great time of year to lean into the therapeutic value of nature. In some cases, this can even mean taking therapy into the outdoors! 

Nature therapy, also known as green therapy or ecotherapy, makes use of the aesthetic and calming attributes of being outdoors and its psychological benefits. The American Psychological Association defines nature therapy as “the integration of outdoor activities into mental health counseling”.  The goal is to connect clients with the outdoors, often incorporating mindfulness, in order to promote healing and mental health. This definition of therapy can include walking and forest bathing therapy, animal-assisted therapy, wilderness retreats, water-side therapy, and farming-related therapy, to name a few.

Nature therapy has actually been around for some time- in fact, going away for a weekend in the country or to the ocean was historically considered one of the best remedies for ill health or low spirits. The theory is that our ancestors evolved in wild settings and relied on the environment for survival, thus we all have an innate instinct to connect with nature. We can use this instinctual desire to be one with nature to promote healing and positive well-being.

Many of us spend too much time indoors and our use and dependence on screens has further reduced our connection to nature and our mindfulness to our surroundings. A recent survey found that people spend 93% of their time indoors. Many adults do not have reasons to find themselves in nature, unless making a direct effort to do so. For example, if you live in the city, you may need to find transportation to take you to the water or into the woods. And city dwelling has increased significantly from the days of our early ancestors. Unfortunately, increased urbanization is also associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression. On the other hand, rural environments are associated with a positive effect on well-being and decreased acute stress responses. 

Research has shown that ecotherapy can be very beneficial. Being in nature promotes mindfulness and ease and reduces overall stress. It is easy to find simple gratitude for the ‘peace and quiet’ of natural environments. Some people find that being outdoors can help clear their minds of unnecessary worries,  reduce feelings of anger and tension, and improve their sleep patterns. Spending time in nature is also associated with increased feelings of happiness, positive social interactions, and a feeling of meaningfulness in life. Exposure to natural environments is also good for our brains, helping to improve memory and attention. Additionally, it has been found that people can recover more quickly from psychological stress after being exposed to nature sounds, compared to exposure to road traffic noises. One study compared people who went on a walk in nature to those who went on a walk along a busy street. Those who walked in nature had decreased anxiety, rumination, and negative feelings. Walking in the trees also allows people to connect with their senses, thereby increasing the ability to practice mindfulness naturally just be being in an outdoor setting. Being by the water is also relaxing. The color blue represents calm and tranquility and the sounds of water can be soothing. Both green and blue outdoor spaces produce positive well-being benefits. 

Nature therapy has been demonstrated in studies to help with mental health conditions and experiences such as:

• Anger

• Anxiety

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Depression

• Fatigue

• Memory

• Mood disorders

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Self-esteem

• Stress

• Substance use and addiction

Here’s why we believe nature therapy can work:

• Nature is good for our brains - disconnecting from electronics and being in a sensation filled outdoor environment prompts better cognitive functioning and a greater sense of well-being. We love that for our clients as well as our therapists!

• Being outside on a sunny day can increase exposure to Vitamin D, which is known to help to impact levels of depression. An outdoor session can provide the benefit of talking about concerns, while also getting a good dose of Vitamin D, which will also work simultaneously to improve mood. 

• Nature can act as a metaphor in therapy. Trees can demonstrate resiliency, like how a forest regrows after a fire. A lake can represent a deep well of emotion with unseen forces at the bottom. A fork in a path on a walking trail can help provide insight and decision making opportunities. In this way, we can use the natural outdoor setting to weave elements of insight into the therapy process.

• Nature can help build trust within the therapeutic relationship. The engaging outdoor environment can be a way to build rapport and comfort while gaining momentum to talk about difficult things. 

• The wide open space of outdoor therapy can be useful to help increase feelings of freeness in clients who might otherwise feel “boxed in '' in a traditional office setting. Being in a wide open space can help to connect with the feeling of being  “part of something bigger”.

• Walk and talk sessions can be helpful for clients who struggle with eye contact and general comfort in an office - walking side by side reduces the pressure of sitting across from one another in a room. 

• Nature-based therapy can be helpful with clients who have experienced trauma. The grounding outside environment can help decrease physiological discomfort and allow them to feel more regulated, which can be calming and help ease the therapeutic progress. 

Our Providence and Narragansett offices are launching a new “Outdoor Office” this spring! Some of our therapists will be offering walk and talk therapy sessions and we will be hosting an outdoor therapy group for women ages 18-24 in India Point Park starting on May 1st. 

If you’re interested in exploring nature therapy, please contact our office to find out which therapists offer this option. Your therapist will also plan with you about how to manage the potential following situations: seeing people you or your therapist know while outside, discussing sensitive topics in the presence of others while outside, and how to deal with any medical or mental health issues that may happen while outside. You will then sign an “Walk & Talk Therapy” consent form and make a plan with your therapist where to park and meet for your outdoor session. 

For our Providence area clients, we are walking on Blackstone Boulevard. For our South County clients, we have a list of a few options for walking, including at the beach and on wooded trails. Reach out to learn more!!

Don’t forget your water, walking shoes, and any weather/personal items (umbrella, inhaler, epipen, etc) that you may need - and have fun!!