Outdoor Therapy
Therapy that connects movement, nature, and mental well-being.
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We offer outdoor therapy in Carleton Place for individuals seeking an alternative to traditional office-based counselling. Sessions take place in natural outdoor settings, supporting mental health through movement, mindfulness, and connection to nature.
What is outdoor therapy?
Outdoor therapy combines talk therapy with walking or spending time in nature. This approach can feel grounding, less formal, and supportive for clients who find movement or outdoor environments helpful.
All sessions take place in a quiet section of a nearby nature trail. Like standard individual sessions, each session is tailored to fit the person's unique therapeutic needs. Sessions follow the same ethical and therapeutic standards as indoor therapy, with flexibility in setting.
Who is outdoor therapy for?
Outdoor therapy may be a good fit if you:
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Feel more comfortable talking while walking
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Experience restlessness or difficulty sitting still
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Feel grounded or regulated by nature
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Hope to increase daily movement/physical activity
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Enjoy incorporating mindfulness to promote presence and relaxation
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Want a low pressure therapeutic setting
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Are seeking a different approach to therapy
Outdoor therapy is not about fitness—it’s about creating space for reflection and connection.
Our approach to outdoor therapy
Outdoor sessions are client-centred, trauma-informed, and grounded in evidence-based therapy.
Sessions may integrate:
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Mindfulness and grounding practices
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Nature-based reflection
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CBT and ACT-based strategies
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Your practitioner's typical modalities for individual therapy
Sessions are paced based on comfort and accessibility. While outdoor sessions are offered year-round, certain weather conditions may limit their availability on occasion.
What to expect
Intake and Assessment
The intake session is completed in the office, by video, or over the phone to give both parties an opportunity to assess the circumstances and discuss potential benefits and risks. This session proceeds in the same way as a standard intake and helps determine whether outdoor therapy is a good fit, while clarifying goals, boundaries, and practical considerations.
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Follow-Up Therapy Sessions
Sessions focus on talk therapy while walking on a nature trail or sitting in a private location outdoors, with flexibility to adapt as needed. Partial outdoor sessions are a possibility depending on the physical capabilities and goals of the individual.
Outdoor therapy locations
Outdoor therapy is offered near our office in Carleton Place, with location chosen to ensure comfort, privacy, and accessibility.