Many young people find the idea of traditional therapy indoors intense, confining, uninspiring or intimidating. Conducting a counselling session whilst walking outside can help take away some of the pressure and feel more authentic and less uncomfortable or awkward.

Rapport is a very important component of therapy, as is the willingness of the young person to talk. Some young people just find it easier to talk when moving.

Fresh air leads to an increase in serotonin (the happy hormone) levels, which can help regulate mood, levels of happiness and levels of anxiety.

Young people can find the sense of space and expansiveness of being outdoors somewhat freeing, and as such, it can be easier to talk through feelings of being stuck, for example.

Silence can be very powerful in the therapeutic process in allowing people to get in touch with thoughts and feelings they keep hidden away. Silence outside when there are the natural sounds of wind, the sea and birdsong can feel much less intimidating and more comfortable than silence inside a room.

My therapy space in East Wittering has been designed with nature in mind and is a flexible space where we can sit outside or inside. Or we can take the very short walk to the beach.

I work at the pace and comfort level of the young person. When outdoors, the young person may prefer to walk and talk the whole session or spend some of the session sitting in an outdoor space. A welcoming garden area outside my therapy room or at the beach.

I often take my “tool bag” to the beach for outdoor sessions, and young people can choose to play games on the beach whilst talking or collecting stones, driftwood and sea glass and bringing them back to the therapy room to be creative in their sessions.