Nature Therapy

Nature Therapy in West Orange, NJ

Sitting inside a therapy office isn’t for everyone. For those who seek something a little outside the box, I offer nature therapy.

And hear this, because it’s really really important: you do NOT have to be an outdoorsy person to do nature therapy. If you’ve gone your whole life choosing mall walking over hiking trails, then nature therapy is actually perfect for you.

Most people who start Nature Therapy feel lost in life on some level, unsure of how to find their way. Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you know you'd be happier if you made changes but it feels safer and more comfortable to stay the same.

You’re here because you have tried everything, and nothing is helping you get out of your funk. You’ve done therapy, you’ve read the books, your Instagram feed is full of therapists dishing wisdom. So let’s try something a little different.

The cool thing about doing therapy while being together in nature is that it’s likely to feel weird. Why is this a good thing? Growth should feel weird. I’ll help you through this challenge, and you’ll come away with skills to help you accept the discomfort inherent in growth.

Using nature to support our work together will give you the untraditional boost you need to finally break free.

Do any of the following resonate with you?

  • You feel like you lack motivation to do anything.

  • You feel lonely, even when you are with others.

  • You want to make changes, but you just can’t seem to make it happen

  • You know that sadness isn't helpful but getting out of it alone isn't possible.

If these sound true for you, I want you to know that you're not "crazy." And even though you might feel alone in your struggle, what you are going through is common and it's okay to ask for help.

It’s possible to feel better. Imagine a life where you could...

  • Have improved attitude, mood, and productivity.

  • Confidently move forward, even when you feel nervous about next steps

  • Create abundantly, always knowing there is more out there for you (the world is yours)

  • Create a more meaningful life based on who you are and what you desire.

Nature Therapy helps you rise above your challenges and start moving towards your ideal life with less less confusion and more confidence. Bringing the natural world into the work offers you even more opportunities to truly grow, to see yourself in a new light, and to shift your perspective in a way that will serve your forever.

You will get you the simple skills you need to find your way through difficult feelings and situations and uncover strengths and learn new life skills.

How Wilderness Therapy Works

Nature Therapy sessions often go longer than traditional therapy; you can expect a session to last around 90 minutes. In addition to listening, I will use the natural world to inspire you towards growth, I play an active role. Here’s how it will work step-by-step:

  1. First, we will meet for an initial session, where I can learn more about what’s bringing you in, and we can make sure that nature therapy will be a good fit for your unique needs.

  2. Once we have decided to meet outdoors, we will schedule a session in one of Essex County’s natural wooded areas (South Mountain reservation, the Essex County Environmental Center, or Eagle Rock Reservation).

  3. In our outdoor sessions, we will take a gentle approach to movement. There is no physical health requirement for our time together. We might not even hike at all; we could just exist in the open physical space.

  4. Over time, we will review the changes you’ve seen in yourself.

Research shows that Wilderness Therapy can positively change your thinking, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors. It can help you let go of what’s holding you back.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • A: Yes! Outdoor experience is really not required, and in fact, your inexperience may aid the work. We will move at your pace. This is not a physical training regimen, it is a mental health journey.

  • A: There’s a saying that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. Personally, I don’t have a ton of good gear, so sometimes the weather gets in the way. We will make the call together.

  • A: I can’t. In busy NJ, there are people everywhere. If this is a concern for you, then we will stay in office for sessions and bring in as many elements of nature as we can within that secure environment.

  • A: I always carry basic first aid supplies, and have taken first aid classes. Of course there is always a risk of injury, so venturing outdoors means accepting that risk.

  • A: I hate bugs too. We can hate bugs together, while swatting them away. Also I’ll bring enough bug spray for the both of us.

Nature therapy works wonders. Whether you’re struggling with a destructively busy brain (ie, anxiety), a complete deadening and numbing (maybe depression), or scary flashbacks to a traumatic memory (PTSD), I am confident that using nature in therapy will accelerate your growth and healing.

Let’s get started today.

If you’re ready to heal in this untraditional approach to therapy, I’m ready to help you take steps forward on that path.

Start now and so that you can move ahead in creating the best version of yourself. During your free 10 minute phone consultation you can start getting a feel for how I can help and we can discuss next steps.

Email me to schedule your free phone consultation today at sonja@sonjaseglin.com.