Ecotherapy | Walk and Talk Therapy
“The earth is so beautiful. We are beautiful also. We can allow ourselves to walk mindfully, touching the earth, our wonderful mother, with each step. We don’t need to wish our friends, ‘Peace be with you.’ Peace is already with them. We only need to help them cultivate the habit of touching peace in each moment.”
a beautiful way to access mental health support
Ecotherapy honors the link between us and nature, to facilitate healing and foster well-being. Nature-based therapy can look many ways, using any aspect of the natural world in a way that feels right for the client.
Bringing your therapy outside deepens the therapeutic experience. Many people find that having their therapy sessions in nature encourages presence, self-compassion, and intention. Nature aids healing alone, bringing us to a place of balance and connectedness. From there, we feel more safe to explore deeper within.
I believe that connection to nature is a human need as much as any other. Unfortunately, we live lives that are very disconnected from the outdoors. In ecotherapy, I invite you to reconnect with nature as an important relationship.
Details & FAQ
Where do ecotherapy sessions take place?
Ecotherapy sessions will be in Nashville’s beautiful Shelby Park. We will meet at the Forrest Green Trailhead to Shelby Bottoms Greenway.
Check the ‘Upcoming Events’ page for information about Group Nature-Based Mindfulness Walks
Do we have to walk?
Our nature based sessions do not require you to be outdoorsy or meet any specific level of physical activity. If you’d like, we can simply sit. Each session will look different depending on what your body and mind need intuitively. We will either walk and talk, or find a sit spot. We do not have to be moving to take in the therapeutic gifts of nature.
if we walk, how far will we go?
Shelby Bottoms Greenway offers miles of beautiful walking path. We will start at the trailhead, and walk at your pace as far as we’re comfortable to in the time we have scheduled.
How is ecoTherapy different from traditional therapy?
When doing ecotherapy, we will do similar talk therapy that we would do over Telehealth or in a traditional office setting. The biggest difference is the environment and activity level. Many clients find it healing and relieving to access therapy in a setting that allows for beauty and movement. Of course, walk and talk therapy out of office will naturally have certain limitations. For example, I don’t conduct couples therapy or EMDR therapy outside of an office setting.
How do we start?
We will meet first for a traditional intake in-office or over Telehealth before beginning walk and talk therapy. We will get to know each other and what’s bringing you to therapy. We will discuss whether ecotherapy/walk and talk therapy is right for you. After this, we will begin incorporating eco-therapy by meeting at Shelby Park and taking your session from there.
What’s the weather policy?
I will leave it to you to make a weather call. In the case of getting rained out, our alternative option will be to meet via Telehealth.
What about confidentiality?
We will take every step to protect your privacy and confidentiality when doing a walk and talk session. However, I cannot guarantee that someone will not overhear us. In our intake session, we will discuss how to handle being near other people, and what to do if we see someone you or I know. I take your privacy seriously. It’s my priority for you to feel safe and comfortable.
Will Ruadh (kelsey’s therapy dog) join?
If you’d like Ruadh to join us, he’d love to! Many clients find that connecting to animals is a similar healing experience as ecotherapy. Ruadh also tends to bring a sense of joy to our walks!
