Nature-Based Therapy

Lake Harriet
Minneapolis, MN

What is nature-based therapy?

Nature-based therapy can mean a variety of things in the mental health community depending on the services offered and to whom. What is offered here is an opportunity to take your typical talk therapy session out of the office and into a nature space in the community. We dress for the weather then meet at Lake Harriet and choose to either walk and talk around the lake or the gardens or find a quiet spot to sit together and observe our surroundings throughout our session.

Currently all nature-based sessions take place at Lake Harriet on Fridays, year round. Anytime that the elements interfere with a scheduled session, we will meet virtually.

Research has shown many psychological benefits to being outdoors including:

  • Increased sense of connection

  • Improved mood

  • Stress reduction

  • Improved focus, attention, and energy

  • Promotes cognitive development and self-control

Grounding feet on snowy ice covered lake

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Not at this time due to logistical complexities.

  • Whenever possible we will dress appropriately for the weather and plan to meet outdoors as scheduled. If we determine that the weather is simply too much, we will shift to a virtual session and a link will be sent to you. This decision will be made jointly whenever possible and communicated to you at least 30 minutes prior to a scheduled session.

  • Nope! Just come dressed as you would for spending an hour outside in the season we’re in.

  • Session cost is the same as in office or telehealth. All session fees can be found here.

  • When you elect into a nature-based session you are assuming some risk of confidentiality being compromised due to the public setting and this will be discussed with you in detail prior to the nature-based session.

  • Prior to doing our first nature-based session an intake session is required either at the office or via telehealth. You can schedule your intake directly at the bottom of this page.