Ecotherapy has been shown to offer healing effects from anxiety and depression, but can these benefits show up in telehealth therapy spaces? This post explores three ways to integrate outdoor, nature-based therapy into telehealth including hosting virtual nature walks, guiding nature-centered mindfulness exercises, and creating an indoor nature therapy space. These techniques offer an adaptive response to mental health care as we continue to find ways to connect virtually as a society.

Virtual Nature Walks

Virtual nature walks can be a creative way to bring the outdoors to your clients through telehealth. This can be done in various ways, either both therapist and client find their own separate outdoor, private spaces and conduct a session in nature (McGeeney, 2016). Another way is for the therapist to share video, either live or previously recorded, of a nature scene that helps promote a state of well being. This technique has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve overall mood (Browning et al., 2021). 

It can also look like this: A client who is experiencing high stress levels is guided through a virtual nature walk. The therapist describes the senses including the melodies of birdsong, the crunch of dry leaves underfoot, the sight of the sun shining through the trees, and the smell of tree bark. In an effort to lower stress levels, this type of virtual, immersive experience has been shown to assist in overall well-being as well as feel connected to nature (Browning et al., 2021). 

Nature-Centered Mindfulness Exercises

Guiding a client through a nature-centered mindfulness exercise is a way to integrate the outdoors into an indoor therapy space. This may look like the therapist describing a sunny beach while the client closes their eyes, or turns off their camera if that is more comfortable, so the client can focus on slow, comfortable breathing.

The therapist could start with the visual landscape of a pristine beach with cream-colored sand and bluish-green water. Then they could notice the sensations that may be experienced such as the sound of the ocean waves, or the smell of the ocean air. 

When clients can visualize themselves in a peaceful natural environment, they are more likely to feel a sense of ease from the stressors that affect everyday living (McGeeney, 2016). Providing guided visual aid via a nature scene during meditation can encourage mindfulness into a client’s regular practice (Berman et al., 2008). And studies have shown that this type of nature-centered mindfulness practice can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety (Bratman et al., 2015).

Incorporating Natural Elements into Therapy Spaces

Bringing nature indoors in an ethically safe way can be a useful way to provide a healing therapeutic space (McGeeney, 2016). This can be as simple as encouraging clients to decorate their space with plants which also incorporates horticulture therapy (Soga et al., 2016). It could also look like sharing fallen leaves or uncovered rocks found on a previous outdoor excursion, and decorating their own space with these natural elements.

The therapist can also introduce nature into their space. One option could be playing calming, nature sounds during a session. Another option could be displaying natural materials such as wooden furniture or stone elements to enhance the feeling of being outdoors (Browning et al., 2021).

Rethinking how to bring natural elements into the therapy space can foster a sense of calm and connection, which has been shown to decrease healing time in hospital patients (Ulrich, 1984).

Conclusion

Ecotherapy offers a unique approach to mental health care, and with climate anxiety on the rise, efforts that increase our connection to the environment is one way mental health professionals can help (Anneser et al., 2023). By incorporating virtual nature walks, nature-inspired mindfulness exercises, and natural elements into therapy spaces, we can bring the healing power of nature to clients, even remotely.

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References

• Anneser, E., Levine, P., Lane, K. J., & Corlin, L. (2023, December 22). Climate stress and anxiety, environmental context, and civic engagement: A nationally representative study. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 93, 1-9. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102220
• Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008, December). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207-1212. PubMed. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x
• Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015, June 29). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567-8572. PubMed. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112
• Browning, M., Saeidi-Rizi, F., McAnirlin, O., Yoon, H., & Pei, Y. (2021, August). The Role of Methodological Choices in the Effects of Experimental Exposure to Simulated Natural Landscapes on Human Health and Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review. Environment and Behavior, 53(7), 687-731. WorldCat.org. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916520906481
• McGeeney, A. (2016). With Nature in Mind: The Ecotherapy Manual for Mental Health Professionals. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Soga, M., Gaston, K. J., & Yamaura, Y. (2016, November 14). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 5, 92-99. Elsevier. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.007
• Ulrich, R. S. (1984, April 27). View through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420-421. Health & General Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.6143402