Working outdoors within nature offers a sense of grounding and relaxation as we are literally moving forward and can help with the feelings of stuckness. Working within nature can help clients connect with the here and now, in a therapeutic way through our senses as nature provides many tools for us to support the work we are doing. Though working outdoors may confront issues for some, such as social anxiety the fear of open spaces, or claustrophobia. Having a counsellor by your side can help explore these issues within the context of the setting, leading to improved social engagement.
Although I am not deterred from a few drops of rain, it is the client’s choice whether we bring our umbrellas, and the outdoor session goes ahead, or we have the session indoors. The contingency plan will be discussed within our initial telephone consultation. At the beginning of our first session, we will discuss confidentiality and how we negotiate others when out walking, as this is different to an enclosed room. I will do my best to ensure confidentiality and will discuss issues around this when be begin. Where our walks take place 2 people walking side by side is a very common sight and doesn’t look any different to what others usually see.
I have a choice of different routes which I use for walk and talk counselling within and around the Swindon area which last between 50 minutes to an hour. It is the client’s choice of their preferred route; this will be discussed before our first session. The routes have been risk assessed ensuring they are suitable and will be further risk assessed on the day. I am fully insured for outdoor work with adults and had the relevant training to facilitate this.
