Counselling doesn’t always have to happen sitting across from one another in an office.

For some people, walking beside the ocean, sitting near the water, or moving along a quiet trail can make conversation feel more natural.

Living in Nanaimo gives us access to beautiful outdoor spaces, and when appropriate, I offer outdoor counselling sessions as an alternative to meeting in my office or online.

Sometimes moving our bodies, looking ahead rather than directly at one another, and being surrounded by nature can create a different kind of therapeutic space.

What Is Outdoor Counselling?

Outdoor counselling is still counselling.

We are having the same kinds of conversations we might have in my office, but instead of sitting inside, we meet in an agreed-upon outdoor location in Nanaimo.

Depending on what feels comfortable, we might:

• Walk together
• Sit near the ocean
• Meet in a quiet park or natural area
• Combine walking with periods of sitting and reflection
• Incorporate mindfulness and awareness of the natural environment

The outdoor setting isn’t the therapy itself. Rather, nature becomes part of the environment in which our therapeutic work takes place.

Why Choose an Outdoor Counselling Session?

Different people feel comfortable in different therapeutic environments.

Some people love the privacy and predictability of an office.

Others appreciate the convenience of online counselling.

And some people find it easier to think, talk, and connect while moving outdoors.

Walking Can Make Conversation Feel More Natural

Sitting face-to-face and talking about deeply personal experiences can sometimes feel intense.

Walking side-by-side can change that dynamic.

You don’t have to maintain eye contact continuously, your body is moving, and there are natural pauses in the conversation.

For some clients, this can make difficult conversations feel more approachable.

Nature Can Help Us Slow Down

Many of us spend large parts of our day surrounded by screens, responsibilities, noise, and constant stimulation.

Being outdoors gives us an opportunity to notice what’s happening around us—and inside us.

The sound of water, movement of trees, feeling of the air, and rhythm of walking can help bring attention back to the present moment.

This connects naturally with mindfulness and present-moment awareness, which I often incorporate into my counselling work.

Movement Can Support Emotional Processing

Our emotional experiences aren’t only happening in our thoughts. We experience emotions throughout our bodies.

You might notice tension in your shoulders when you’re anxious, heaviness when you’re grieving, restlessness when you’re overwhelmed, or a feeling of shutting down during conflict.

Walking and gentle movement can provide another way of noticing and working with what is happening internally.

This fits well with my holistic approach to counselling, where I am interested in the connection between mind, body, emotions, relationships, and lived experience.

What Can We Talk About During Outdoor Counselling?

Anything you would normally bring to counselling.

Outdoor sessions may be used to explore:

• Anxiety and stress
• Depression and low mood
• Grief and loss
• Relationship difficulties
• Major life transitions
• Self-esteem
• Boundaries
• Family relationships
• Burnout
• Trauma and difficult past experiences
• Personal growth and self-discovery
• Feeling stuck or disconnected from yourself

You don’t need to be particularly athletic or outdoorsy.

Outdoor counselling isn’t a workout or a hike unless we specifically decide that movement is something you’d like to incorporate.

We can walk slowly, sit, or combine both.

Outdoor Counselling and Mindfulness

Nature can provide many opportunities to practice mindfulness without needing to sit still and formally meditate.

We might pause and notice:

What are you feeling in your body right now?

What happens when you slow your breathing?

What do you notice around you?

What emotions are present?

What happens when you allow that feeling to be there instead of immediately trying to change it?

These simple moments can help build awareness of the connection between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and the environment.

If you’re interested in developing these skills further, you can read my article about mindfulness and emotional wellbeing.

Where Do Outdoor Counselling Sessions Take Place?

Nanaimo offers many beautiful places where walking or sitting outdoors is possible.

Depending on accessibility, weather, privacy, and what feels appropriate for the session, we can discuss a location that works for both of us.

The important consideration isn’t finding the most beautiful location.

It’s finding somewhere that allows you to feel comfortable enough to engage in counselling while also considering privacy and confidentiality.

Privacy and Confidentiality Outdoors

Outdoor counselling does have considerations that are different from meeting in a private counselling office.

We may occasionally pass other people while walking or encounter someone either of us knows.

Before choosing outdoor counselling, we can discuss confidentiality, privacy, what we would do if we encountered someone we know, and whether the setting feels appropriate for what you want to work on.

For particularly sensitive conversations, an office or online session from a private location may sometimes be a better choice.

Outdoor counselling is simply another option.

What Happens if the Weather Is Bad?

This is Vancouver Island, so weather is part of the equation.

We can discuss what makes sense depending on the conditions and your comfort level.

Sometimes that might mean wearing rain gear and continuing with our outdoor session. Other times, it may make more sense to meet indoors or online.

The goal is flexibility rather than forcing an outdoor session when the conditions don’t support it.

Is Outdoor Counselling Right for You?

You might enjoy outdoor counselling if you:

• Feel more comfortable talking while walking
• Spend much of your life sitting or looking at screens
• Feel connected to nature
• Find traditional counselling offices uncomfortable
• Enjoy movement
• Want to incorporate mindfulness or body awareness into counselling
• Simply want to try something different

There isn’t one therapeutic environment that works best for everyone.

Part of holistic counselling is recognizing that different people connect, process, and heal in different ways.

Outdoor Counselling in Nanaimo

I offer outdoor counselling in Nanaimo, along with traditional in-person and online counselling.

We can decide together which environment feels most appropriate depending on what you’re working through and what helps you feel comfortable.

You can learn more about my counselling services and approach.

You may also be interested in reading about understanding depression and finding support or managing anxiety.

If you’d like to explore whether outdoor counselling—or counselling with me in general—might be a good fit, you can book a free consultation here.

Sometimes changing the environment gives us a different way of approaching the conversation.