Nature-based therapy is ultimately a somatic practice: Putting our bodies in connection with our natural environment and noticing our thoughts and emotions.
It creates context for the experiences that bring us to therapy, and insights to our growth and healing. It can support our processing of challenging emotions and memories, and provide extraordinary motivation.
Sometimes, nature-based therapy is in the office working with objects such as seeds, or soil, or bibliotherapy with texts on ecology. Most often, however, it happens in woods or on a trail where we can move our bodies, connect with our environment, while considering our work in therapy.
Nature-based therapy can be used with other modalities, such as talk therapy or art therapy. It can be individual or in a group. It can be something you plan to do every session, or a something we do on occasion.
My career started in outdoor education, working with students and corporate groups in the mountains to cultivate connections with self, others, and the environment. It was such an adventure. I am grateful to be able to offer the same experiences with a therapeutic focus.
Whether it is central to your work in therapy or supplemental, I highly recommend considering it for insight, perspective, meaning, and connection.
Nature-based therapy is for everybody: Colorado offers ample variety in spaces to access our natural environment.
If you are considering nature-based therapy as a means to healing trauma from experiences in the backcountry, there is a grant from the American Alpine Club available to fund your work through the Grief Fund.
– Cat
Cat Stone
she/her
MA MEd ERYT500 CPYT
Cat Stone 