Outdoor therapy in Cheshire
Counselling that reconnects you with yourself—and with the natural world.
Imagine having therapy while walking through woodland, sitting beside a river, or pausing beneath the shelter of an old tree.
For many people, being outdoors creates a different kind of therapeutic space. There is room to breathe, to think, to notice and simply to be.
Alongside face-to-face counselling in my Runcorn therapy room and online therapy across the UK, I offer outdoor counselling in natural spaces around Runcorn, Frodsham and Widnes.
Sessions last 50 minutes and cost £52—the same as my indoor appointments.
What is outdoor therapy?
Outdoor therapy (sometimes called walk and talk therapy or ecotherapy) brings the therapeutic relationship into the natural environment.
Despite the name, we don't have to spend the whole session walking.
Depending on what feels right for you, we might:
walk together at a comfortable pace
sit on a bench
use folding chairs in a quiet natural setting
pause to notice the landscape, the seasons or the wildlife around us
simply talk, much as we would in a therapy room
The focus is always on you and what you need.
Nature isn't a replacement for therapy—it becomes another gentle source of support within the therapeutic process.
Why choose therapy outdoors?
Many people find they can think more clearly and talk more freely when they're outside.
Without the intensity of sitting face to face, conversations often unfold more naturally. Walking side by side can feel less intimidating, and the changing landscape can offer moments of calm, perspective and reflection.
Research increasingly suggests that spending time in nature can support emotional wellbeing, helping people feel calmer, more grounded and more connected.
For some people, nature simply provides a peaceful setting.
For others, it becomes an active part of the work.
The changing seasons, the resilience of living things, the cycles of growth and rest, or simply the feeling of being part of something larger than ourselves can all deepen our understanding of life's challenges.
There is no expectation that you engage with nature in any particular way. We simply remain open to whatever the natural world might offer during our time together.
A specialist interest
Nature has always been central to both my life and my work.
As an integrative counsellor, I have a particular interest in ecotherapy and the relationship between human wellbeing and the more-than-human world.
Alongside my counselling practice, I facilitate forest bathing, therapeutic writing and other nature connection experiences. My postgraduate research explored outdoor therapeutic practice, deepening my understanding of both the practical and psychological aspects of working outdoors.
For me, outdoor therapy isn't simply counselling in a different location.
It's an approach that recognises that we are part of nature, and that reconnecting with the natural world can sometimes help us reconnect with ourselves.
Who is outdoor therapy for?
Outdoor therapy can be helpful for many different reasons.
You might choose it if you:
feel more relaxed outdoors than in an office
find it easier to talk while walking
feel emotionally stuck and want a different environment
experience stress, anxiety or burnout
feel disconnected from yourself or from nature
enjoy spending time outdoors and would like this to be part of your therapy
are curious about ecotherapy and would like to experience it for yourself
You don't need to know anything about nature or consider yourself "outdoorsy".
You only need to be open to trying something a little different.
What if I have accessibility needs?
Outdoor therapy isn't about hiking or covering long distances.
We'll choose a location together based on your needs, preferences and mobility.
Sessions can involve walking, sitting or a combination of both, and I have folding chairs that allow us to create a comfortable space almost anywhere.
Accessibility is important to me, so please let me know if there's anything that would help make outdoor therapy work for you.
What about the weather?
Being outdoors means working with the seasons rather than against them.
A little rain or cold weather doesn't usually stop us, and many people find these changing conditions become part of the experience.
However, if the weather becomes unsafe or particularly unpleasant—or if you're just not feeling like heading outdoors—we can arrange to meet online or in my therapy room instead.
We'll always have a back-up plan.
Extended ecotherapy sessions
Alongside regular counselling, I also offer extended ecotherapy sessions for people who would benefit from more spacious time in nature.
These sessions include:
a planning phone call of up to 30 minutes
a two-hour therapeutic session outdoors
They can be booked as a one-off experience, as an opportunity to work through a particular issue, or simply as time to pause, reflect and reconnect.
The fee is £125.
Curious about outdoor therapy?
Many people who choose outdoor counselling tell me they were unsure what to expect before their first session.
They often discover that nature has a remarkable way of helping conversations unfold at their own pace.
If you're wondering whether outdoor therapy might be right for you, I'd be very happy to talk it through during a free introductory phone call.
Together, we can decide whether working outdoors, in my therapy room or online feels like the best fit for you.