The Power of Being Outdoors

Not all therapy has to happen in an office chair. For clients in or near Oakland, I offer outdoor therapy: sessions held while walking side by side in nature, rather than sitting across from each other indoors.

There’s real research behind this. Being outside and moving our bodies has a known benefit for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Many people also find that talking while walking feels less intense and less anxiety-provoking than the traditional face-to-face office setting. And after so much of daily life spent in front of a screen, outdoor therapy can be a welcome break from “zoom fatigue,” offering a chance to be present somewhere other than a chair or a call.

Outdoor therapy can be a good fit if you:

• Find traditional office therapy or eye contact intimidating
• Process thoughts and feelings more easily while moving
• Are experiencing burnout or fatigue from screen-heavy work and virtual sessions
• Want to combine the benefits of movement, nature, and therapy in one session
• Are looking for a different rhythm to talk about anxiety, parenting stress, or perfectionism

Outdoor therapy involves more than a change of scenery, and it isn’t the right fit for every topic or every session. I’m happy to talk through whether it could work for you.

Ready to talk? Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation or call 916-905-0317.