Imagine a therapy room with no walls. A therapy room without the intensity of sitting face to face with someone whilst you make sense of your thoughts, process emotions or make plans for moving forward positively. A therapy room where you think, process and talk to the sound of birdsong, waves rolling and crashing on the beach or the breeze moving through branches and leaves in the wood. A therapy room where the movement of your body sets a regulating rhythm and a clear sense of where your body is in space. Where you set the pace. A therapy room where you can breath deeply and stop to ground yourself against the wide horizon, the elements of the Scottish climate, the feel of the earth beneath you and the gentle containment provided by rocks, trees and shorelines which have existed for hundreds or thousands of years. At Calm.Balance.Grow this therapy room is a reality. Evidence based Clinical Psychology interventions delivered outside in a space where you feel comfortable and at ease, whether that is a beach, gentle woodland, ancient forests, rugged hills, stubble fields amidst a soft harvest sunlight or a familiar track or greenspace. You may choose to walk and talk, or spend time just being present in nature whilst engaging in therapy.

What are the benefits of therapy in nature?

The process of even gentle movement in nature provides regulating repetition and a clearer sense of where your body is in space. Thinking can feel more organised and you may feel more creative, flexible and optimistic in your processing of past or recent events, in addition to identifying your next or future steps. Nature provides an abundance of opportunities for regulation and grounding of strong emotional states, in addition to metaphors for our psychological processes. For many people the idea of sitting face to face in therapy feels awkward and overwhelming in terms of the communication and interpersonal expectations, such as eye contact, emotional expression and the intensity of conversation. Walking side by side in the wider space of nature reduces these perceived demands and allows you to focus on your own processes.

Where will therapy take place?

Therapy can be arranged for a wide range of outside spaces across Angus, Dundee, Perth & Kinross and North Fife. At the point of referral we will discuss the types of outdoor spaces you feel most comfortable or inspired by. These may include nature reserves, woodland, loch trails, hills, beaches and green spaces in the city.

Will it always be in the same place?

Therapy can take place in the same place if the consistency and predictability is regulating for you. It can also alter depending on what we are focusing on and the types of landscape which might help with that process.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Different weather and the interaction of that with the environment around us can be a helpful and interesting additional element to the therapeutic process. Appropriate clothing is required to navigate the weather but please be reassured that it will always be possible to relocate to indoor premises within Dundee if required.

How is my confidentiality protected?

When deciding on a location for therapy, I will ask you to consider the likelihood of meeting someone you know in a setting. Feel safe and secure to engage in the therapeutic process is essential and we will seek to optimise this happening. Prior to therapy starting we will agree how to manage the event of you seeing someone familiar. I will not be engaging with anyone familiar to me regardless of the setting.

How much does it cost?

Sessions cost £140 per hour and sessions will start from an agreed point in the chosen location.

What is included in the cost?

• 60 minutes of psychological therapy delivered in an outside space.

• A brief summary of key points sent to you after the session as a reminder of key themes and agreed actions.

• Optional mug of your preferred hot drink which can be enjoyed whilst walking or whilst seated during the session.