Wildernew®: 4th Anniversary Reflections
Photo courtesy of Jordan Davidson Photography, bandana design from the wonderful Jarrett Johnston
Dear Reader,
On July 5, 2023, Wildernew® celebrates FOUR years of private practice! In honor of this upcoming anniversary, I wanted to offer some reflections, thanks, and share a little about what’s next.
First of all, I want to thank YOU for your part in seeing us through to this point. You have played a vital role in the development of Wildernew®, whether you are a colleague, a referral source, a professional who helped me further my vision, a professor or supervisor, a fellow nature lover, a past or current client, or a friend who has supported me and my dream to help people outdoors all these years—thank you.
My Journey in Outdoor Therapy:
While I had been practicing therapy for several years, August 6, 2019 was my very first outdoor therapy session. August in Dallas is known for being hot, but several clients willingly volunteered to meet outdoors. (To this day, I am amazed by my client’s capacity and trust to tolerate a wide range of less than comfortable weather conditions with me — thank you!)
I began experimenting with therapy in outdoor settings— mindfulness in nature, tapping into the sensory experience, walk and talk therapy, managing and leveraging distractions, experimenting with movement vs. stillness in nature, body awareness, distress tolerance, attachment and connection - relating to others and the natural world and so on. I still experiment with these unique opportunities that therapy outdoors presents and I have fun with it.
I hadn’t received any formal training in outdoor therapy, as such programs were rare at the time. Instead, over the course of 11 or 12 years, I read books and articles, asked a million questions of peers and professionals, dabbled in some nature-based work through my job at Innovation360, and took my own adventures - formally and informally. I went on camping and backpacking trips with friends, explored local Dallas trails, adventured with my dog, and even attended NOLS in 2018 for a month long Outdoor Leadership course and spent a month in the back country of Wyoming, backpacking and rock climbing.
I share this, because a colleague offered feedback in the Spring that I embody what I do, my lived experience is connection with nature. That was reinforced by another peer this Summer. It’s not exactly something you can teach someone, but it is something that can be modeled and cultivated. So, I find myself very thankful for those who have encouraged and deepened my love of the outdoors throughout my life.
Trainings:
To facilitate this work since 2019, I’ve delved into formal trainings on movement and eating disorders (iMove), nature-based parts work with Katie Asmus, somatic work, and psychodynamic and attachment work through my consultation group. I am very thankful to each for deepening my work with clients and collaboration with nature. I’ve also learned through invitations to speak on outdoor therapy through the Creative Connections Networking Group (thanks McKenzie and Autumn!), the Food and Mood Networking Group (thank you, Nimisha!), the Christian Therapists of North Texas group (thank you Carrie and Sharon!), as well as speaking on movement and embodiment through the In His Image conference (huge shout out to Kristin Williams for this incredible annual conference on body image).
Reflections:
While it would be impossible to summarize all that I’ve learned and come to believe, I’ll offer a few points below:
There’s no right or wrong way to do therapy outdoors (within ethical and professional boundaries, of course). Some sessions look like regular office sessions, just sitting outdoors. Others look like walk and talk. Others are more experiential. It is my goal to meet client’s where they are and be mindful of how the natural environment might help facilitate their goals in therapy.
People seemed more willing to take risks and explore pre-pandemic. My clients prior to March 2020 seemed more inclined to explore new paths, take longer routes, go off trail, walk through or cross the creeks, etc. I’ve observed through and since the pandemic, people tend to stick to more predictable and known routes. While I haven’t done any formal research, it seems to point to the lack of safety and heightened anxiety many felt/feel as a result of the pandemic.
People are incredibly caring, resilient, open, and trusting. Most of my clients take great care of the space by picking up litter, being respectful of wildlife and other humans, and are open to the process of trying something new outdoors and connecting with nature. It has been beautiful and sacred to be in that space with another. And what makes my heart sing: most people actually increase their outdoor activities after participating outdoor therapy!
The benefits are so real. Improved mood and health, improved immunity, pro-social behavior, decreased stress and anxiety, improved mood, improved ability to problem solve, improved attention, etc. I notice this for myself… and I think it also reduces burnout as a professional because the environment acts as a supportive container in the therapeutic process for both of us.
The mind-body connection is so important in the process of change and healing.
Therapy outdoors provides a lot of real time data to work with in session. At times, it can be overwhelming, but it’s so valuable!
Outdoor therapy can really be done year round in Dallas, Texas! The heat of Summer and the freezing Winter’s we’ve recently had… but Spring and Fall are real treats. Helps us remember the rhythms of life, seasons, impermanence, etc. which helps us weather our own internal and external conditions.
I still enjoy offering in office sessions and the contrast that it provides.
There is growing interest in nature-based psychotherapy around the country, in the last few years especially.
Along the Path:
I plan to continue pursuing learning opportunities as I am able to deepen my outdoor therapeutic work. Specifically, I am planning to take another training with Katie Asmus of the Somatic Wilderness Institute (she’s amazing and I’d love to learn all I can from her!) as well as pursue Somatic Experiencing training.
I have a long list of to-be-read books specifically to outdoor therapy but also I am trying to focus on IFS/parts work, embodiment, trauma, and attachment.
Planning to take my own outdoor adventure to Acadia National Park in the near future. Looking forward to a change of scenery and weather, fresh perspective and inspiration, and connection with a good friend in the great outdoors.
Finally, we have begun offering 1:1 consultation and training for professionals wanting a guide on their own journey to pursue outdoor therapy. If this is something that interests you, please contact us here.
As always, thank you for joining me on this journey. Your support means so much.