Mind & Body Psychology is now offering outdoor appointments, when the weather is cooler:
early morning appointments (from 6am), and
late afternoon appointments (from 4.30pm)!
QUICK FACTS:
Individual therapy sessions:
These sessions are just like your usual psychologist appointments! They are individual, focussed on your goals, and the therapy is delivered in the same way or adapted to suit the outdoor environment.
They also provide the opportunity to:
notice and engage with nature,
move your body more (if you wish),
engage in less eye contact, and
meet in a shared, community space.
Potential benefits:
Many studies suggest that being in nature has positive benefits on our nervous system, mood, thoughts, sense of energy, and overall mental health.
Early research suggests that outdoor therapy is just as effective as indoor therapy, and may actually be more effective for some individuals!
Many evidence-based therapies for anxiety and depression encourage behavioural activation and the use of exercise to improve mood, thoughts, and our sense of energy.
Some trauma therapies (e.g., EMDR) involve the use of bilateral stimulation (which can be achieved by walking) to help: regulate the nervous system, and reprocessing/desensitation of distressing memories.
Many clients (e.g., neurodivergent clients) can find sitting still, using eye contact, and being in foreign, enclosed, small spaces uncomfortable, and may prefer to move in a natural, open space.
Suitable for a range of bodies and fitness levels:
Seated sessions: at undercover picnic tables (many of these locations are a flat, short walk from carparking areas and are set away from the main walking tracks so are fairly private)
Slower, flat-ground walks: these are easily accessed from the carpark, are often on sealed paths, and sometimes wind around creeks with lots of private spots to stop and watch the water flow.
Faster, more challenging walks: these can include some mild-to-moderate hill climbs, stepping across flat rocks, require a bit more fitness, balance, and strength, and can lead to watching waterfalls!
Mixed sessions: your sessions can be guided by your health, body, and interests on the day! Seated for some of it, slow walk for some of it, some mild-to-moderate hills for some of it.
Travel time:
Our outdoor sessions are very close to our Red Hill clinic: either at a local park (just 2mins drive away) or at Mt Coot-tha Reserve (11mins drive away!)
In many cases, you get to decide the location from our array of options!
Psychologist:
Currently, our outdoor sessions are with Renae Kurth (Director/Clinical Psychologist)
Rebates:
Many outdoor sessions attract rebates.
Contact us if you would like to know if you are eligble for a rebate and the out-of-pocket costs.
How to Get Started:
Existing clients of Renae Kurth: you can go ahead and BOOK AN OUTDOOR SESSION! You will then receive emails to complete the intake and consent forms and a Risk and Suitability form, to be completed before your first outdoor session.
New clients of Renae or Mind & Body Psychology: please BOOK AN IN-CLINIC APPT FIRST, so that you and Renae can get to know each other, explore your suitability, and see if you can start outdoor sessions ASAP!
