Nature Therapy Fort Collins
Takeaway: As human beings, we’re part of the natural world. One goal of nature therapy is to help you remember that. With years of experience in both outdoor education and psychotherapy, I’m passionate about fostering healing both in and with nature. Connect with me today to get started.
Are you seeking a therapeutic approach that goes beyond the confines of traditional office walls and nourishes a sense of belonging in your everyday life? Are you looking for a way to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones? Maybe you know you need to move to drop into the therapy process.
Ecotherapy will invite you to slow down, pause, breathe, and be present. You can explore feelings more effectively and develop a deeper sense of self with the support of the outdoors. There is space for all of you in nature. Keep reading for a greater understanding of nature therapy, and discover how it could be the key to unlocking healing and growth.
Understanding the nature therapy process
Ecotherapy encompasses experiential therapeutic modalities that recognize our connection to nature, that humans are not apart from nature, and that our health involves being reconnected with nature. In ecotherapy, therapeutic processes unfold through direct engagement with the natural world, tapping into its inherent wisdom and nurturing qualities.
Ecotherapy provides opportunities to challenge our typical ways of being in the world. Intentional connection with nature serves as a facilitator for your healing process, fostering a profound sense of rootedness and belonging. While ecotherapy can take place in remote or backcountry settings, it can also be experienced in urban environments and indoor settings.
Some of the common activities and environments in ecotherapy sessions include:
Learning about medicinal & edible plants & participating in foraging
Exploring public parks & open space
Interacting with the natural world (earth, water, plants, animals, minerals, etc.)
Engaging in nature mindfulness practices
Participating in horticulture activities or Tending a Garden
Walk-and-talk sessions in nature
Nature-based art projects
Relational experiences and activities with animals (Equine, canine, goats, etc.)
Sit-spots & nature-relationship building exercises
Exploring metaphor and nature as mirror
Being in and noticing our bodies as we connect with & move through nature
Learning about where our food comes from & getting closer to the source
There is no one right way to engage in ecotherapy. Oftentimes pre-planned structure is pushed aside in favor of focusing on whatever arises in session given the experiential nature of ecotherapy.
Meet Parker Schneider | Top-rated nature therapist in Fort Collins
Growing up on a small farm in rural Missouri shaped me and my relationship to nature. I had the privilege of spending the majority of my time outside. And I was fortunate to have the experience of being nourished as a direct result of my relationship to nature and learning how to tend land.
When I went to college, I told people I had “concrete sickness” and I struggled to adjust to the faster-paced small city. When I was offered the opportunity to join a day of training at a nonprofit center in outdoor education, I jumped. I did so primarily to have a chance to go out and play in the woods. I didn’t realize how much I needed the job they would offer me there, or how much it would direct the course of my life.
I now have over 15 years of experience in outdoor education, therapeutic nature and adventure-based programming, experiential education, recreation therapy, and survival skills. I have been a Wilderness First Responder for over a decade.
I moved to Colorado to complete graduate training in ecotherapy that included in-depth training in animal-assisted therapy, wilderness intensives, horticulture and urban gardening, nature-based arts, ritual and rites of passage ceremonies, ropes courses, rock climbing, experiential therapy, and movement-based therapies.
My future goal for my practice is to have a therapy farm. Until then, I find other creative ways to work with nature as my cofacilitator while helping people reconnect to the more than human world.
Some more details about my experience and training:
Licensed Professional Counselor & Wilderness First Responder
Masters (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Wilderness Therapy
CO LPC.0016271
Teletherapy or in-person outdoor sessions & intensives
Providing nature therapy since 2016
Areas of Expertise: Trauma, LGBTQIA+ responsive care
Hakomi, EMDR, Somatic, Mindfulness-based, DBT. Attachment, Polyvagal
My approach to nature-based therapy
Many of us have read articles or blogs about nature-based therapy being a new approach. And many of us have been fed the idea that ecotherapy is just the new way of referring to wilderness therapy programs for youth to avoid accountability for past transgressions. Many of us find that the images called to mind when we think of the outdoors, therapeutic nature programs, and outdoor education lack diversity. Many of us don’t see ourselves in those images.
The reality is that none of this is new.
The field of Ecopsychology argues that human beings are so unwell as a result of our disconnection with nature. When we view this concept with a social justice lens, we understand that our disconnection from nature came with the genocide and forced displacement of indigenous people. In a world still steeped in colonization and white supremacy, it’s no surprise that the images that come to mind when we think of outdoor education and therapeutic nature programs lack diversity.
I want my ecotherapy work to be more than a modality in counseling and psychotherapy. The idea that this is a modality within the mental and behavioral health field perpetuates the idea that land and nature are objects. The idea of nature as an asset we mine for human benefit can be seen in the language often used by nature-based and wilderness therapists. People will refer to nature as a “tool” or refer to “using nature” in counseling.
Although I do incorporate what is often referred to as “walk-and-talk therapy” in my practice, that is only a small part of my nature-based practice. I want to bring intention and care to this work.
I want to participate in remembering how to be attuned to nature and how to be stewards. I want to create opportunities for us all to divest from the idea that we are or should be separate from nature. I want our remembering, reconnection, and re-attunement to support us in healing the Earth.
Why choose Softening Stone Psychotherapy for nature therapy in Fort Collins
Working with an ecotherapist offers unique advantages over traditional mental health counseling. You can expect so much about how I work and where I work to challenge traditional norms and expectations.
Some additional reasons you might want to work with me in nature are:
Holistic healing:
Ecotherapy integrates physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of a person. In addition to leaving space for your mind, body, and spirit, I will also bring intention to approaching healing that considers you within the broader context of the natural world. You can expect me to make space for curiosity, joy, awe, wonder, and play as we incorporate the interconnectedness that is often lacking in traditional counseling settings.
Environmental Awareness
Ecotherapy fosters a greater appreciation for the environment and encourages sustainable behaviors, promoting a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the natural world. You can also expect me to make space for climate grief or climate anxiety in sessions.
Culturally Relevant & Systemically Aware:
Ecopsychology is informed by systems theory. However, many healthcare providers and outdoor educators do not also incorporate an understanding of wider societal systems and the ongoing impacts of colonization on outdoor education and ecopsychology.
Further, those who may have an understanding of the indigenous roots of so much of this work often engage in cultural appropriation. You can expect me to challenge these norms in my work with you. And you can expect me to find ways to do this work that are culturally relevant to you and systemically aware.
Relationally Focused:
I believe that the synthetic distance between humans and nature contributes to how unwell we are as a species. And I believe that the way we treat the Earth is mirrored in the way we treat people from various marginalized communities; these structures and culture influence our relationship to nature.
You can expect your relationship to nature and the relationship between me & you to be a priority in our work. You can also expect that your relationship building in those areas will be experiential for building healthy relationships and community in your own life.
Support for Nervous System Regulation:
Trauma and Oppression can leave us struggling to regulate our nervous system—especially when the world shows us that “safety” is a privilege afforded to few. We can incorporate movement during sessions as well as engagement with sensory stimuli in nature to support nervous system regulation, reconnection with body, and discharge of the energy associated with anxious arousal.
More Accessible Mindfulness Practices:
So many of us have had a difficult time trying to engage with mindfulness-based exercises, despite how frequently we are told we should do so for our health and relationships. Utilizing our senses to notice our environment can be a more accessible way to practice mindfulness, be in the present moment, and build skills around embodiment. Additionally, practicing mindfulness in natural settings can deepen awareness and presence, offering a unique way to cultivate mindfulness skills compared to indoor mindfulness practices.
When Softening Stone Psychotherapy might not be the best fit for you
Nature-based therapy isn’t appropriate for everyone. And Softening Stone Psychotherapy may also not be a fit for some. Some things to consider that may indicate this work isn’t suited to you are:
1. Allergies or Health Concerns:
Individuals with severe allergies, respiratory conditions, or other health concerns exacerbated by outdoor environments may find ecotherapy harmful to their well-being. If spending time in nature or with items from the natural world aggravates chronic health conditions or allergies, you may want to seek therapeutic support in a traditional office space.
2. Preference for Traditional Counseling:
Some individuals may prefer traditional formats, such as office-based counseling. I do not have a traditional commercial office space and do not intend to have one in the future. Although I do plan to have a sheltered meeting option in the future, this will not meet the needs of anyone preferring traditional office meetings.
3. Environmental Sensitivities:
Some individuals may have heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli, such as temperature extremes, noise, or insects, which could detract from their ability to engage fully in ecotherapy sessions. In some instances, we can utilize adaptive equipment, modify what we do, or change where we meet to alleviate sensory triggers. However, you may not find effective ways to engage in ecotherapy without uncomfortable or unsafe sensory triggers.
If you’re not sure whether Softening Stone & Nature Therapy in Northern Colorado is the right fit for you, reach out for a free initial consultation.
FAQs about nature therapy
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By integrating the healing power of nature into the therapeutic process, ecotherapy offers a holistic approach to mental health treatment that recognizes the interconnectedness between human beings and the natural world. It combines traditional therapeutic techniques with outdoor activities and interactions with the natural environment.
In nature-based mental health counseling, therapists may conduct sessions outdoors, such as in parks, forests, or gardens, rather than traditional indoor settings. This approach allows individuals to connect with nature, which can have calming, grounding, and nourishing effects on the mind and body. Therapists may incorporate various activities into ecotherapy sessions, such as walking, gardening, wilderness expeditions, or simply sitting quietly in natural surroundings.
Ultimately, there is no one right way to do ecotherapy and no one-size-fits-all approach. So, the way nature-based therapy will look and work for you will evolve as you engage with the natural world.
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Ecotherapy operates on the principle that spending time in nature can have profound effects on mental health and well-being. Nature-based mental health counseling can be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma or PTSD, grief, despair, or other mental health challenges.
Spending time in nature can reduce symptoms of psychological distress, improve mood, increase self-esteem, supports nervous system regulation, and enhance overall psychological well-being. Research also shows that time in nature impacts our brain chemistry.
Various studies have found spending time outdoors:
• Reduces cortisol levels (a stress hormone)
• Improves Memory
• Increases sense of meaning and purpose in life
• Reduces blood pressure and heart rates
• Increases serotonin in the brain (a neurotransmitter that influences our sense of happiness and safety)
• Improves immune functioning
• Decreases activity in the amygdala (key area of brain activated in fear and stress responses)
• Increases oxygen and activity in the prefrontal cortex
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Although nature-based therapy has many benefits over traditional counseling, it also includes some risks. Some examples of risk one can expect when engaging in outdoor therapy are injury or illness. This may come as a result of
• exposure to the elements or inclement weather
• sunburn or heat related injuries
• uneven ground
• insect stings or bites
• falling branches or rocks,
• animal bites or wild animal encounters
• and acts of nature.
Injury may also occur as a result of safety equipment failure during adventure-based activities (rock climbing, ropes courses, paddle sports, etc.). In some cases, insufficient planning and risk mitigation result in illness or injury. I typically ask everyone to bring personal supplies needed to reduce risk in these areas (water, sunscreen, warm layers, rain jacket, etc.). I also bring supplies to reduce risk or respond to injury/illness.
Ecotherapy includes additional risks than just those associated with spending time outside. Due to ecotherapy often occurring in public spaces or nature spaces outside a private office, there are more risks to privileged communication between therapist and client.
Additionally, it’s possible that the counselor or client may bump into someone they know during an ecotherapy session. For this reason, I discuss these risks with each client and make a plan for any issues that arise.
Connect with me today to start healing in and with the natural world.
Perhaps you are also suffering from concrete sickness or are exhausted by long commutes in your car. Maybe the amount of time you have to stare at screens leaves you with headaches and a sense of disconnection. What would it be like to divest from hustle culture and get to slow down?
Ecotherapy allows us to meld the healing power of nature, movement, mindfulness, and relational attunement together to support your health and personal growth. Reach out to schedule a free initial consultation if you are curious about exploring ecotherapy.