“If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Nature-Informed Therapy

Reintegrating the wildness of our nature into the domestication of our culture

For hundreds of thousands of years, throughout our evolution, we spent over 90% of our time in nature and our physiology is still adapted to it. Our innate wild instincts have always guided our lives and the wild parts of ourselves feel confused by our domestic imprisonment behind walls and screens. As human-animal beings, we also experience eco-grief and eco-anxiety - the grief and fear of the loss of the ecosystems that provide the life-giving resources for our physiological and security needs. Disconnection from nature and the uncertainty of our future greatly impact our mental health, whether we are consciously aware of it or not.

Anxiety, depression, grief, disconnection, and stress are increasing everywhere and these enervating daily conditions impact you, your relationships, and your life on many levels. Fortunately, research on nature-informed therapy or ecotherapy is beginning to uncover the important connections between the natural environment and our mental and physical health, the security of our attachments, and our ability to create meaning and experience a sense of awe. This provides a hopeful direction to consider for rebalancing the wild and domesticated parts of ourselves.

Nature as a co-therapist in holistic counseling sessions

We need the restorative effects of nature for our overall well-being. Nature works as a co-therapist in counseling sessions to bring healing and increase our sense of belonging to the world around us.

Some of the many benefits of being immersed in nature include increases in:

• Experiences of meaning and awe, heightened awareness (internal and external), energy levels, levels and functioning of the body’s natural killer cells (immune boost)

It also contributes to a decrease in:

• Stress, anxiety, depression, blood pressure levels, pulse rate, and levels of cortisol and adrenaline

And supports Improvements in:

• Concentration, memory, and pain threshold

Additionally, being in nature provides “soft fascinations” to reflect on, reducing mental fatigue by allowing the overworked frontal lobes of our brain to experience a sense of resting.

Engaging with our five senses in nature, whether during an outdoor therapy session or with activities between sessions, can increase a sense of grounding and presence in each moment and communicate to our nervous system that we are safe. This nature-inspired sense of assurance can support deeper, authentic connections and encourage healing discussions. 

When you’re ready to decrease feelings of anxiety, stress, disconnection, and discomfort while you explore and deepen your connection with nature in a supportive, therapeutic framework, I’m here to walk the trail with you (literally, when possible!).

Contact me for a free consult as the first step of your body-mind-heart-soul journey toward a life that feels more natural.

I acknowledge that the beautiful land of Floyd County, Virginia, in which I am grateful to live, work, and play, is the traditional unceded territory of the Yesan (Tutelo) people.