Why would I want to have therapy outdoors?

When home feels safe and clinics feel familiar, why would anyone want to have therapy outdoors? Good question. Let’s give it some thought and see if outdoor therapy really is such a strange idea.

Let’s start by pausing for a moment

Take a deep breath. Think about a place where you feel calm and content. Where is that place? For many of us we think of a beach, a stream or a woodland. What this shows is that many of us are drawn to natural environments and often to spaces where there is green (woodlands) and blue (water). Most of us know we feel calmer outdoors.

What does the research say?

Research on the benefits of nature on our mental health is growing rapidly. The headline findings are that people who feel connected with nature are happier and report that their lives feel more worthwhile. Spending time outdoors can have benefits for our mental and physical well-being and nature can bring about a range of positive feelings including calmness, joy, creativity and improved concentration. Being connected with nature is also linked with lower levels of depression, anxiety and improved self-esteem. Spending time outdoors can also help you to be more active, engage in enriching activities and to connect with others. The importance of nature connection was highlighted in May 2021 when the Mental Health Awareness Week chose this topic as its theme.

But does it work for people with neurological conditions?

These benefits are particularly helpful for people who have a neurological condition. It has been found that enriched environments - environments that provide physical and sensory stimulation and social interaction, stimulate the brain and can lead to neural plasticity.

Neural plasticity refers to changes with the neurons (brain cells) that allow the brain to adapt and change over time. These changes have been noted in the limbic system which is the part of the brain involved with memory processing and how we experience and regulate emotions such as fear and stress.

It is not surprising that the natural environment has become a focus of interest for clinicians and researchers who want to use the combined benefits of nature and therapy to reduce anxiety and depression, and increase well-being.

And is this available through Edinburgh Neuropsychology?

Yes it is. We give you the opportunity to engage in clinical neuropsychology sessions in a calming outdoor environment. Outdoor therapy combines the benefits of specialist neuropsychological therapy with movement and nature. By engaging in outdoor therapy, you get the same high quality, evidence-based therapy you would in a telehealth or clinic session, but with the additional known benefits of being in nature. If you are interested, please complete the form on the Contact Us page and we will offer you a free 15 minute consultation.

So what happens during an outdoor therapy session?

If you are not an existing patient with Edinburgh Neuropsychology, your first session will be via telehealth where we will discuss your goals for therapy and the different treatment options available to you. If you do wish to proceed with outdoor therapy, the location and level of activity will be decided jointly between you and your therapist and will be based on your needs.

The focus of outdoor therapy is always on therapy rather than exercise, so sessions need not be strenuous. Sometimes sessions take place on a bench in a peaceful setting and at other times they will involve walking and talking. Being outdoors also provides plenty of opportunities for practicing breathing exercises, relaxation and mindfulness which are core parts of therapy and self-care. By engaging in therapy outdoors, you will be learning new skills and developing habits that will help your mental health beyond your time in therapy.

What if I am not fit enough, have fatigue or an injury that affects my mobility?

Some people have concerns that they are not fit enough to have therapy outdoors. They worry that pain, fatigue, weakness or disability will give them problems in accessing outdoor spaces. If you have concerns, please share them with us and we will try to create a session where you feel comfortable. We can use pacing strategies to help you manage pain and fatigue and if you are working with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist, we can work with them to ensure outdoor therapy sessions are matched to your needs.

Where do the sessions take place?

At Edinburgh Neuropsychology, outdoor therapy can take place at a number of parks, woodlands and coastal areas in Edinburgh and East Lothian. Sessions can be arranged elsewhere, but there may be travel costs associated with this and this will be discussed with you.

It sounds good but I’m still not sure it’s for me!

That’s ok. If you don’t wish to meet outdoors we also offer the same evidence-based psychological therapy from the comfort of your own home via secure video conferencing technology.

One final message...

Whether you decide to engage in outdoor therapy or just to use the benefits of nature in your own time, why not start today, or even better, why not start now? If you are not already there, why not step outside, feel the weather on your skin, smile and take a few, long, slow breaths. Enjoy.