What Is Nature Based Therapy?

Nature-based therapy purposefully incorporates the natural world into counselling, therapy and psychology. The relationship between the client and Nature is considered an important factor in the change and healing process.

Practices in nature-based therapies are typically experiential, which means the therapist and client(s) are actively working toward developing embodied awareness of the client experience whilst acknowledging and expressing emotionally charged content. Being in contact with nature through the therapeutic process can provide many biopsychosocial benefits as well as serving as a reminder of our innate capacity for growth and healing.

The scope of nature-based therapies is broad and can be grounded in a variety of evidence-based therapeutic models. Whilst there are many approaches to providing nature-based therapies, common elements often include mindfulness, relational resourcing, sensory awareness, process focused approaches, somatic and sensorimotor practices, psychoeducation, distress tolerance skills and relaxation techniques.

Nature can be incorporated into the treatment process through therapeutic horticulture, animal assisted therapies, forest or bush bathing, working with nature as co-therapist, green prescriptions, walk and talk therapy, care farms and adventure or wilderness therapy.