We direct bill counselling services to Pacific Blue Cross, GreenShield, Canada Life & Sun Life! For a full list of direct billing providers, click here.
We direct bill counselling services to Pacific Blue Cross, GreenShield, Canada Life & Sun Life! For a full list of direct billing providers, click here.
Ever felt like traditional therapy was too suffocating? Nature Therapy can be an enriching alternative to online sessions and office-based sessions. This is especially true if your home is not necessarily secure enough for fully immersive online sessions, or if office-based sessions feel too restrictive or intimidating.
Besides being an alternative setting to deepen your inner work, it has been shown that walk and talk therapy helps to quiet the part of our brain responsible for producing ruminative and negative thoughts while supporting embodied wellness.
What are the Benefits?
When we integrate the mind, body, and nature into the work while engaging in a multi-sensory experience, our nervous system is calmed and we are able to come to more creative, connected, and deeper ways of being.
Simply put, movement propels us forward – literally and figuratively! It is a similar process to the science behind why EMDR works so well. It allows us to process our emotions and inner narratives through our body, our mind, and our spirit.
Nature as a healing practice is not a new idea – science has just caught up with the knowledge that Indigenous folks have been fighting for, for centuries. To honor the knowledge of and in response to the ongoing and attempted genocide of Indigenous folks, all of Venturous’ proceeds from Walk & Talk sessions are redistributed to Indigenous organizing efforts.
In a typical Walk & Talk therapy session, you’ll meet your therapist at a predetermined outdoor location. The session usually begins with a brief check-in and setting intentions for the walk. As you stroll or sit outside together, you’ll engage in therapeutic conversation, much like in a traditional office setting.
The natural environment may be incorporated into discussions, providing metaphors or prompts for reflection. Your therapist might suggest mindfulness exercises or moments of quiet observation. The session concludes with a brief wrap-up, allowing time to process the experience and plan for future sessions.
General Considerations
As with all therapies, there are potential impacts to be aware of. General considerations specific to Walk & Talk / Nature-Based therapies include exposure to weather conditions, uneven terrain, and allergens. Privacy concerns may also arise in public spaces and physical exertion during walks could be challenging for some individuals. Before you begin your Walk & Talk and/or Nature-Based sessions, your therapist will discuss these potential impacts with you and work with you to develop strategies to mitigate them.
In Person, Nature-Based Therapy can be a standalone practice or engaged in conjunction with virtual services. Our Nature-Based practitioners have specialized training in the modality and all In-Person, Nature-Based sessions are located in Vancouver + Burnaby. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to book a free consult with one of our therapists!
Our nature therapy rates range from $160-$240 per session.
We offer direct billing to most extended health insurance plans and accept funding through CVAP, ICBC, WorkBC, FNHA, and Autism Funding. Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss pricing and insurance options.
We offer direct billing to select insurance providers and funded programs. Start with a free 15-minute video conversation to find out more.
Each of our counsellors brings a different lens to Nature-Based Therapy.
Here’s how they approach it, so you can sense who might feel like the right fit.
If being outside feels easier than being in a room, Julianna works with that. Her nature-based sessions use walking and the outdoor environment as part of the therapeutic process, not just a backdrop for it. She draws on the ways of nature to guide the counselling itself: the firmness of a tree to help ground you when things feel like too much, the pace of a trail to steady you when you’re talking about something overwhelming or painful. Her approach borrows the wisdom of nature to frame pathways to healing: slow, day by day, meticulous and careful, unhurried and without agenda. Walk and talk is also a way to do in-person counselling without the intensity of sitting across from someone in a small space, which for a lot of people changes everything about what they’re able to say. Her approach draws on narrative practice and art therapy, and tends to suit people navigating bicultural complexity, belonging, and the kind of identity questions that don’t resolve neatly indoors or out.
Work with Julianna if you’ve spent a lot of your life translating yourself between cultures, roles, or worlds, and you want room to think out loud without flattening the complexity.
If the last thing you want is to be behind another screen or in another office, Jess offers a different kind of entry point. Her nature-based sessions work well for people who access clarity through movement, including neurodivergent folx, athletes, and those who feel stuck in their thoughts and want to reconnect with their bodies and surroundings. She brings attention to forming a new relationship with movement itself: maybe you’re used to getting outside or moving only to accomplish something, and there’s something worth exploring in what movement with a therapeutic purpose can offer instead. Nature-based work with Jess also honours something straightforward: being outside feels restorative. We’re meant to build relationships with ourselves and with each other with the earth present. Her approach draws on art therapy and EMDR alongside walk and talk, and suits people who want to experiment with how they heal, particularly those exploring identity through a queer or neurodivergent lens.
Work with Jess if you’ve spent a long time being told who you should be, and you’re more interested in figuring out what actually fits.
Q&A
Nature-based therapy in Vancouver and Burnaby integrates the healing power of the natural world with traditional therapeutic approaches. Also known as walk and talk therapy, this approach recognizes that movement propels us forward – literally and figuratively – similar to the science behind why EMDR works so well. When we integrate the mind, body, and nature into therapeutic work while engaging in a multi-sensory experience, our nervous system is calmed and we are able to come to more creative, connected, and deeper ways of being. This approach has been shown to quiet the part of our brain responsible for producing ruminative and negative thoughts while supporting embodied wellness. Sessions take place in outdoor locations throughout Vancouver and Burnaby, combining therapeutic conversation with the healing presence of nature.
In a typical outdoor therapy session in Vancouver or Burnaby, you’ll meet your therapist at a predetermined outdoor location. The session usually begins with a brief check-in and setting intentions for the walk or outdoor time. As you stroll or sit outside together, you’ll engage in therapeutic conversation, much like in a traditional office setting. The natural environment may be incorporated into discussions, providing metaphors or prompts for reflection. Your therapist might suggest mindfulness exercises or moments of quiet observation. The session concludes with a brief wrap-up, allowing time to process the experience and plan for future sessions.
Our nature-based therapy sessions take place in various outdoor locations throughout Vancouver and Burnaby. We select safe, accessible locations that provide privacy while allowing for meaningful therapeutic work. Popular locations include parks, walking trails, beaches, and other natural spaces that offer both beauty and confidentiality. Your therapist will work with you to choose locations that feel comfortable and accessible for your needs, considering factors like mobility, privacy preferences, and transportation. All locations are carefully selected to ensure your safety and therapeutic privacy.
Nature-based therapy offers unique benefits that complement traditional office-based sessions. Research shows that movement and nature exposure help quiet the part of our brain responsible for producing ruminative and negative thoughts while supporting embodied wellness. This approach is especially beneficial if your home is not secure enough for fully immersive online sessions, or if office-based sessions feel too restrictive or intimidating. The multi-sensory experience of being in nature calms the nervous system and allows for more creative, connected, and deeper ways of processing emotions and experiences. Many clients find that the combination of movement, fresh air, and natural beauty enhances their therapeutic experience.
Nature-based therapy is effective for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, burnout, and identity exploration. It’s particularly helpful for people who feel stuck or overwhelmed, those who struggle with traditional talk therapy, or individuals who feel more comfortable and open when moving or being in natural settings. The combination of movement and nature exposure can be especially beneficial for processing difficult emotions and gaining new perspectives on challenging situations.
Dress comfortably for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for walking on various terrains. We recommend layered clothing so you can adjust for temperature changes, and comfortable walking shoes with good grip. Bring water, especially during warmer months, and any personal items you might need like sunglasses, hat, or medications. Your therapist will provide guidance on what to expect for each specific location and season. Don’t worry about bringing anything therapeutic – your therapist will handle all the professional aspects while you focus on being present in the natural environment.
We understand that the weather in Vancouver, Burnaby, and Port Moody can be unpredictable! Your therapist will work with you to develop a flexible approach to weather conditions. This might include rescheduling for severe weather, finding covered outdoor spaces like pavilions or covered walkways, or having a backup indoor location available. Many nature-based therapy sessions can still be meaningful in light rain with appropriate gear, and some clients find that different weather conditions offer unique therapeutic opportunities. We’ll always prioritize your safety and comfort when making weather-related decisions.
Absolutely! Nature-based therapy can be adapted for people with various mobility needs and physical abilities. We can choose accessible locations like paved paths, parks with benches, or areas that accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids. Sessions don’t require extensive walking – we can find beautiful outdoor spaces where sitting and gentle movement work well. Your therapist will work with you during your consultation to understand your mobility needs and preferences, ensuring that nature-based therapy is both accessible and beneficial for your unique situation.
Nature as a healing practice is not a new idea – science has just caught up with the knowledge that Indigenous folks have been fighting for, for centuries. To honor the knowledge of and in response to the ongoing and attempted genocide of Indigenous folks, all of Venturous’ proceeds from nature-based therapy sessions are redistributed to Indigenous organizing efforts. We acknowledge that our work takes place on the stolen, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and other Indigenous nations, and we are committed to understanding and responding to the ongoing impacts of colonization in our practices.
Yes, nature-based therapy can be a standalone practice or engaged in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities. Many clients benefit from combining outdoor sessions with EMDR, somatic therapy, or traditional talk therapy sessions. Your therapist will work with you to create an integrated approach that meets your needs, whether that means alternating between outdoor and indoor sessions or incorporating nature-based elements into other therapeutic work. The flexibility of this approach allows for a truly personalized healing experience.
As with all therapies, there are potential impacts to be aware of. General considerations specific to nature-based therapies include exposure to weather conditions, uneven terrain, and allergens. Privacy concerns may also arise in public spaces and physical exertion during walks could be challenging for some individuals. Before you begin your nature-based sessions, your therapist will discuss these potential impacts with you and work with you to develop strategies to mitigate them. We’ll also establish clear boundaries and safety protocols to ensure your therapeutic experience is both beneficial and secure.
Get Matched
We offer direct billing to select insurance providers & funded programs. Start with a free 15-minute video conversation or get your personalized recommendations straight to your inbox, with this 3-minute form.
Nature-based therapy in Vancouver and Burnaby offers a different container for some of the heaviest things people carry. Here’s where walk and talk therapy and outdoor sessions tend to meet people.
Nature-based therapy in Vancouver and Burnaby meets people in landscapes that can hold what a therapy room sometimes can’t. These articles touch the themes that often bring people to outdoor sessions.
occupying the stolen, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Qayqayt, and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) peoples. Our relationship with these lands dictates our commitment to understanding and responding to the ongoing impacts of colonization in our practices in and out of the counselling room.
Learn more about the land you’re occupying at native-land.ca
