Outdoor Therapy: Healing through Nature

The service aims to support people by combining the full range of benefits from time in nature and the outdoors with professional therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing. Outdoor Therapy is delivered in urban outdoor and green spaces such as parks, community gardens, woodlands, beaches or local hills. It can help people gain perspective and reflect on past or current life events that are troubling. Metaphors offered by nature may develop into insight on feelings, relationships and experiences. Individuals access greenspaces and experience the grounding benefits of nature, which clears a busy mind and brings feelings of calm and stability for people who regularly experience high levels of stress and chaos at home. In this way nature offers an opportunity for reflection that can be utilised within therapy practice. This will be delivered by our team of dedicated and qualified therapists, including trainee therapists where appropriate. For many people, outdoor therapy may be more suitable than traditional therapeutic settings. Participants can connect with nature in their local areas building a connection to place and community. Our team have specialist knowledge and are experienced in working outdoors with the issues facing our clients.

The Venture Trust inspires and supports positive change through outdoor learning and personal development for vulnerable people across Scotland.