Talk With Me Outside: Therapists' Experiences of the Therapeutic Relationship in Natural Outdoor Settings

This qualitative study explores therapists' experiences of the therapeutic relationship when therapy is conducted in natural public spaces, such as parks, footpaths and community gardens. Drawing on therapists' experiences of working outdoors with their clients, the aim was to capture and understand how the therapeutic relationship is impacted when the natural environment becomes part of the relational encounter.

Six therapists participated in one-to-one semi-structured interviews, which were analysed using thematic analysis. Therapists described a more equalised relationship, with both therapist and client exposed to the unpredictability of the environment. This created a dynamic interplay in the relationship, where collaboration was used to overcome unexpected situations, resulting in what therapists experienced as a natural vulnerability. Consequently, relational depth became more apparent, and therapists were perceived as fallible outside, as opposed to being perceived as infallible inside. The research uncovered that, despite potential risks, the un-boundaried natural environment offered a relational therapeutic depth and intimacy that carried an embedded equality, proving enriching and transformative within the relationship.

The findings suggest that nature-based therapy enhances and equalises the therapeutic relationship, while also supporting the well-being of both therapist and client. The study recommends embedding outdoor therapy interventions as part of a blended approach to talking therapies and integrating nature-based practices into core counselling/psychotherapy training programmes.