Ecotherapy

Some things are hard to get to in a room. The body settles differently outdoors: feet on a trail, breath syncing with your steps, eyes free to rest on the horizon. Ecotherapy takes our sessions outside, into Tilden Park in Berkeley, and lets the natural world become part of the work. It's the same depth therapy I practice indoors, with the land as a participant.

How it works

We meet at a trailhead in Tilden Park and walk at a pace that allows conversation, or sit in a quiet spot if you'd rather be still. Both work. Sessions are 75 minutes, a little longer than an office session, because the work outdoors unfolds at its own pace and because part of its medicine is simply being out there.

Ecotherapy can stand on its own or alternate with office or telehealth sessions. Many clients mix them: regular sessions indoors or online, with outdoor sessions woven in when the work calls for it.

What the outdoors makes possible

  • Walking side by side can make difficult material easier to approach than sitting face to face

  • Movement helps the body process what talking alone can’t reach

  • Nature offers images and encounters that reflect your inner life back to you

  • Being outside supports the nervous system in settling, so the work can go deeper without overwhelming you

  • The senses come back online: sound, weather, light, season

Practical details

  • Where: Tilden Park, Berkeley (exact meeting point shared when you book)

  • Length: 75 minutes

  • Format: Walk-and-talk or seated outdoors, whichever suits you and the work that day

  • Weather: Light rain can be workable; heavy weather means we move the session indoors or online

  • What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes and water; I’ll share more before our first session

Frequently asked questions

Is an outdoor session confidential?

We take reasonable care: Tilden is large, trails are quiet on weekdays, and if we pass other walkers we simply pause or let the conversation drift. We also talk beforehand about your comfort level, and you can choose a seated spot away from the main paths.

Do I need to be fit or an outdoors person?

No. We walk at an easy pace on gentle trails, and we can sit instead of walk. If you can be outside comfortably for the length of a session, you can do ecotherapy.

Schedule a free consultation